The Skeleton Coast is, not surprisingly, the coastline of the Skeleton Coast National Park. Although formerly the entire coastline of Namibia was called the Skeleton Coast, it now usually refers to the area from the Ugab River (ca. 80 km north of Cape Cross) in the South to the Kunene River on the border of Namibia and Angola in the North.
Geologically the largest part of this coast line, with an age of some 1,5 billion years is among the oldest rock formations on earth. The combination of fog, heavy waves and unpredictable currents (The Benguela current) has made this coastal area dangerous for navigation, but also for whales. Thousands of ship wrecks are scattered along the coast. Sailors that managed to reach the coast alive didn´t have a change of survival in the desert. Originally, the name Skeleton coast came from the bones that lined the beaches from whaling operations and seal hunts, but more than a few of the skeletons were human and the trip along this coast was rightfully feared by many sailors.
The attraction of this remote area is in the colour, changing atmospheres and the unspoilt landscape. The aura of mystery and power is largely due to the dense fog hovering over the coastal area’s and the cold sea breeze. It’s an apparently hostile area, but the subtlety of the pristine coastline and the mysterious atmosphere make it a fascinating place to visit.
The park covers more than 1.6 million hectares and can be divided in a northern and southern part. The Southern part runs between the Ugab and Hoanib Rivers and the northern part from the Hoanib to Kunene river on the border with Angola.
The landscape consists of sand dunes, canyons and mountain ranges, but where the cold Benguela Current meets with the extreme heat of the Namib desert, a climate cold sea breezes and dense fog often occurs, contrary to what you would expect in a desert area. Even though the land appears arid and hostile, the Skeleton Coast offers a great variety in wildlife, including the famous desert adapted elephant, black rhino, lion, cheetah, giraffe, gemsbok, zebra, springbok and spotted and brown hyena. Various reptiles and turtles are also present, as well as some 247 bird species. The many shipwrecks on the coast turn out to be excellent habitats for cape fur seals, that live side by side with seabird colonies. The sea along the Skeleton Coast is rich in fish species and you can also encounter endemic Benguela dolphins, killer whales and humpback whales.
Day visitors to the Skeleton Coast Park are only allowed in the park between sunrise and sunset, and permits are available at the two entry gates (the Ugab River in the south and Springbokwasser in the east). The ecologically sensitive area north of Terrace Bay is inaccessible to the general public and entrance to this area is restricted to a few operators who operate fly-in safaris around Namibia.
When traveling north from Swakopmund you will first pass Wlotzkasbaken, a surprising village with small bungalows. Further on you will come across Henties Bay, this is also the last place where you can fill up on fuel if you plan to travel further north along the coast. The coast route offers interesting desert flora, like lichen, formed by the symbiosis between species of fungi and an algae. On the gravelly earth, you will find hundreds of different species.
Accommodations along the Skeleton Coast:
Cape Cross Lodge, Terrace Bay Camp, Skeleton Coast Camp
In addition, Swakopmund is also an ideal starting point to discover the Skeleton Coast (See ‘Cities of Namibia’).
