Skeleton Coast

The Skeleton Coast, a treacherous stretch of coastline named after the skeletons of whales, seals and various ships that have been washed up on its shores, is a desolate and beautiful part of Namibia. It stretches from Swakopmund in the south to the border of Namibia in the north. Attractions along the coast include surfing and the beach and adventure paradise of Swakopmund, where you can go fishing, dolphin and whale watching, horse riding, quad biking and take a hot-air balloon rides over the desert. The river valleys that wind through the desert to the coast are home to flourishing populations of gemsbok, springbok, kudu, wild cats, steenbok and genets, as well as jackal and brown hyena.

The area encompasses the two million-hectare Skeleton Coast Park and Wilderness Area as well as the National West Coast Recreation Area.The Skeleton Coast Park protects a third of the country’s coastline and encompasses a wilderness area to the north. In the south of the park, hike along the Ugab River on a three-day hiking trail, see the famous shipwreck of the South West Sea and visit the moving sand dunes near Torra Bay. Getting to the wilderness area is difficult, but if you aren’t on a budget, consider a fly-in safari. Spend days exploring the region by 4×4, spotting Strandloper rock circles, lichen fields and welwitschia plants, clay castles in the Hoarusib Canyon and visiting Himba villages.

The National West Coast Recreational Area lies north of Swakopmund and covers 200 kilometres of coastline, up to the Ugab River. Visit the Cape Cross Seal Reserve, a colony of Cape fur seals which is occupied year-round by thousands of animals. There are also hiking and 4×4 trails in the area.