Namibia's Skeleton Coast is a land of paradoxes: desert meets ocean, arid landscapes teem with wildlife, and rusty shipwrecks add an eerie dimension to the otherwise timeless expanse. Untouched and seemingly a world away from human civilisation, the combination of silence and scope here is utterly entrancing. Continue reading to discover why the Skeleton Coast should absolutely be factored into your trip to this astonishing country.
WHY IS IT CALLED THE SKELETON COAST?
Portuguese explorers in the 15th century referred to this infamous shoreline as As Areias do Inferno – or “The Sands of Hell” – owing to its treacherous fog and shifting sands. However, the more recent “Skeleton Coast” stems from the plethora of whale bones and ghostly shipwrecks strewn across its length.
WHEN TO VISIT THE SKELETON COAST
The best time to visit The Skeleton Coast is during Namibia’s dry season – from May to September. During this time, days are sunny and pleasantly warm, with cooler nights. These conditions are ideal for wildlife tracking and exploring eerie shipwrecks. It also provides optimal conditions for a fly-in safari, when the undulating dune vistas are unclouded by dust or haze.
You can also visit during the rainy season – from November to March – but are likely to experience higher temperatures and potentially even thunderstorms. While the Skeleton Coast isn’t impacted too much by rain, it is always a possibility.
BEST LUXURY LODGES ON THE SKELETON COAST
There is only one accommodation inside the Skeleton Coast National Park – Shipwreck Lodge. Impossibly remote and designed to mimic the region’s shipwrecks, the lodge does an impressive job of immersing its guests in the region’s haunting albeit blissful silence. In keeping with this, Shipwreck Lodge features just ten cabins, retaining the sense of intimacy and exclusivity the region demands. A plethora of activities led by expert guides ensures there is never a dull moment here, while the restaurant serves exceptional cuisine (and homemade cakes!). Guests can either self-drive or fly to Möwe Bay, where the transfers included in the lodge’s all-inclusive rates are waiting to pick up.
THINGS TO DO ON THE SKELETON COAST
Discover the Skeleton Coast's historic shipwrecks
No visit to the Skeleton Coast is complete without discovering the shipwrecks from which it gets its name. While there are many wreckages littered across the coast, there are several worth keeping an eye out for. Stranded in 1909, the Eduard Bohlen now resides 400m inland owing to encroaching dunes, while the Dunedin Star ran aground in 1942 and required an extensive rescue operation to retrieve its stranded crew. The most recent incident occurred in just 2008, when a fishing trawler found itself beached on the infamous shores of the Skeleton Coast. Eventually towed away, the ship fortunately escaped the same fate as many other wrecks before it.
Spot the desert's bountiful wildlife
While human activity is scarce along the coast, there is no shortage of wildlife. Most noticeable are the desert elephants who have perfectly adapted to life on the soft sand. Always on the move, these nomads follow ancient migratory paths along rivers such as the Hoanib and Hoarusib. Brown hyenas, oryx, lions, black-backed jackals, and bat eared foxes also make improbable lives here. Those lucky enough may even witness the surreal spectacle of lions on the beach, in search of the region’s bustling colonies of Cape fur seals.
Explore the Skeleton Coast's desert landscape
Shipwreck Lodge offers guests a full range of exciting adventures in the desert. Guided desert drives and nature walks showcase the region’s arresting geography, while those brave enough might even fancy a dip in the Atlantic Ocean. There is also a dose of adrenaline to be found in the lodge’s epic quad biking and sandboarding experiences. Should you wish to relish the tranquility here, a relaxed barbecue lunch on the beach or evening of storytelling under the stars is certain to entice you.
Fly-In Safaris over the Skeleton Coast
Few places are better viewed from the air than the Skeleton Coast. The opportunity to see just how vast and isolated this place is will undoubtedly amaze you, as the skeletal shipwrecks become specks on the landscape, and the towering dunes meld into blanket of golden, undulating sand. To learn more about fly-in safaris in Namibia, read our dedicated journal HERE.
