"Namibia’s Skeleton Coast must be one of the most hauntingly dramatic stretches of coastline on the planet. Often foggy, this vast, windy graveyard for rusting ships is pounded on one side by the treacherous Atlantic Ocean, and watched over on the other by the towering dunes of the Namib Desert. Bones often lie scattered across the beaches of what is said to be one of the most inhospitable places in the world – and yet it has a compelling charm for travellers, who are drawn to this wild, desolate place.”
- Narina Exelby
Skeleton Coast
The Skeleton Coast Park stretches from Namibia’s northernmost coastal tip at the Kunene River down one third of the country’s coastline – about 500km – to the Ugab River. It’s wild, it’s hostile – and it is completely compelling.
The name “Skeleton Coast” comes from the bones of whales that are often found on the beaches here – but it could just as well refer to the carcasses of ships that have been washed up, victims of the rough seas and rugged coastline. If any survivors ever made it to shore, it’s unlikely they would have survived for very long – there is nothing but desert for hundreds of kilometres, and no respite from the wind and sun.
That said, travellers who are well prepared (or who are travelling with a reputed company) will almost certainly enjoy a very memorable trip here. The southern section of the 20,000 square kilometre park can be explored by those travelling in a 4×4; distances are far, and the going is slow. At the very south of the Skeleton Coast Park it is possible to hike into the inland region: the guided three-day, 50km Ugab River Trail takes hikers through stunning scenery of coastal plains and lichen fields, past water-eroded rocks, and caves.
The northern section of Skeleton Coast Park, from Torra Bay to the Kunene River, is inaccessible by vehicle but it is possible to fly into the private camps that are located up here. This utter isolation is treasured by those who make the journey here.
When to go
Find out when is best to visit
- Excellent
- Good
- Poor
WET SEASON
This is the peak of the wet season, yet days with rainfall are still very rare indeed.
Great birding with migratory species present.
Less foggy conditions.
Temperatures are pleasant, averaging 25°C/77°F midday, but can occasionally rise well above this. Night time lows average a comfortable 17°C/63°F.
The Skeleton Coast has a desert climate, with just the very occasional rain shower during the Namibian wet season, which runs from October through to April. The rest of the year rainfall is very unlikely. Its location between the cold Atlantic Ocean and the hot interior does however give rise to some very foggy conditions, especially through the winter/ dry season months. This is a part of Namibia which is great all year round, though we personally prefer the summer months for the warmer and less foggy conditions.
WET SEASON
This is the peak of the wet season, yet days with rainfall are still very rare indeed.
Great birding with migratory species present.
Less foggy conditions.
Temperatures are pleasant, averaging 25°C/77°F midday, but can occasionally rise well above this. Night time lows average a comfortable 17°C/63°F.
The Skeleton Coast has a desert climate, with just the very occasional rain shower during the Namibian wet season, which runs from October through to April. The rest of the year rainfall is very unlikely. Its location between the cold Atlantic Ocean and the hot interior does however give rise to some very foggy conditions, especially through the winter/ dry season months. This is a part of Namibia which is great all year round, though we personally prefer the summer months for the warmer and less foggy conditions.
WET SEASON
This is the peak of the wet season, yet days with rainfall are still very rare indeed.
Great birding with migratory species present.
Less foggy conditions.
Temperatures are pleasant, averaging 25°C/77°F midday, but can occasionally rise well above this. Night time lows average a comfortable 17°C/63°F.
The Skeleton Coast has a desert climate, with just the very occasional rain shower during the Namibian wet season, which runs from October through to April. The rest of the year rainfall is very unlikely. Its location between the cold Atlantic Ocean and the hot interior does however give rise to some very foggy conditions, especially through the winter/ dry season months. This is a part of Namibia which is great all year round, though we personally prefer the summer months for the warmer and less foggy conditions.
WET SEASON
This is the peak of the wet season, yet days with rainfall are still very rare indeed.
Great birding with migratory species present.
Less foggy conditions.
Temperatures are pleasant, averaging 25°C/77°F midday, but can occasionally rise well above this. Night time lows average a comfortable 17°C/63°F.
The Skeleton Coast has a desert climate, with just the very occasional rain shower during the Namibian wet season, which runs from October through to April. The rest of the year rainfall is very unlikely. Its location between the cold Atlantic Ocean and the hot interior does however give rise to some very foggy conditions, especially through the winter/ dry season months. This is a part of Namibia which is great all year round, though we personally prefer the summer months for the warmer and less foggy conditions.
DRY SEASON
Mornings tend to be foggy, occasionally this fog will not lift fully all day.
The coolest time of the year midday temperatures averaging around 22°C/72°F, while night temperatures average a low of 11°C/52°F making warm clothes essential for those early morning activities!
The Skeleton Coast has a desert climate, with just the very occasional rain shower during the Namibian wet season, which runs from October through to April. The rest of the year rainfall is very unlikely. Its location between the cold Atlantic Ocean and the hot interior does however give rise to some very foggy conditions, especially through the winter/ dry season months. This is a part of Namibia which is great all year round, though we personally prefer the summer months for the warmer and less foggy conditions.
DRY SEASON
Mornings tend to be foggy, occasionally this fog will not lift fully all day.
The coolest time of the year midday temperatures averaging around 22°C/72°F, while night temperatures average a low of 11°C/52°F making warm clothes essential for those early morning activities!
The Skeleton Coast has a desert climate, with just the very occasional rain shower during the Namibian wet season, which runs from October through to April. The rest of the year rainfall is very unlikely. Its location between the cold Atlantic Ocean and the hot interior does however give rise to some very foggy conditions, especially through the winter/ dry season months. This is a part of Namibia which is great all year round, though we personally prefer the summer months for the warmer and less foggy conditions.
DRY SEASON
Mornings tend to be foggy, occasionally this fog will not lift fully all day.
The coolest time of the year midday temperatures averaging around 22°C/72°F, while night temperatures average a low of 11°C/52°F making warm clothes essential for those early morning activities!
The Skeleton Coast has a desert climate, with just the very occasional rain shower during the Namibian wet season, which runs from October through to April. The rest of the year rainfall is very unlikely. Its location between the cold Atlantic Ocean and the hot interior does however give rise to some very foggy conditions, especially through the winter/ dry season months. This is a part of Namibia which is great all year round, though we personally prefer the summer months for the warmer and less foggy conditions.
DRY SEASON
Mornings tend to be foggy, occasionally this fog will not lift fully all day.
The coolest time of the year midday temperatures averaging around 22°C/72°F, while night temperatures average a low of 11°C/52°F making warm clothes essential for those early morning activities!
The Skeleton Coast has a desert climate, with just the very occasional rain shower during the Namibian wet season, which runs from October through to April. The rest of the year rainfall is very unlikely. Its location between the cold Atlantic Ocean and the hot interior does however give rise to some very foggy conditions, especially through the winter/ dry season months. This is a part of Namibia which is great all year round, though we personally prefer the summer months for the warmer and less foggy conditions.
DRY SEASON
Mornings tend to be foggy, occasionally this fog will not lift fully all day.
The coolest time of the year midday temperatures averaging around 22°C/72°F, while night temperatures average a low of 11°C/52°F making warm clothes essential for those early morning activities!
The Skeleton Coast has a desert climate, with just the very occasional rain shower during the Namibian wet season, which runs from October through to April. The rest of the year rainfall is very unlikely. Its location between the cold Atlantic Ocean and the hot interior does however give rise to some very foggy conditions, especially through the winter/ dry season months. This is a part of Namibia which is great all year round, though we personally prefer the summer months for the warmer and less foggy conditions.
DRY SEASON
Mornings tend to be foggy, occasionally this fog will not lift fully all day.
The coolest time of the year midday temperatures averaging around 22°C/72°F, while night temperatures average a low of 11°C/52°F making warm clothes essential for those early morning activities!
The Skeleton Coast has a desert climate, with just the very occasional rain shower during the Namibian wet season, which runs from October through to April. The rest of the year rainfall is very unlikely. Its location between the cold Atlantic Ocean and the hot interior does however give rise to some very foggy conditions, especially through the winter/ dry season months. This is a part of Namibia which is great all year round, though we personally prefer the summer months for the warmer and less foggy conditions.
WET SEASON
This is the peak of the wet season, yet days with rainfall are still very rare indeed.
Great birding with migratory species present.
Less foggy conditions.
Temperatures are pleasant, averaging 25°C/77°F midday, but can occasionally rise well above this. Night time lows average a comfortable 17°C/63°F.
The Skeleton Coast has a desert climate, with just the very occasional rain shower during the Namibian wet season, which runs from October through to April. The rest of the year rainfall is very unlikely. Its location between the cold Atlantic Ocean and the hot interior does however give rise to some very foggy conditions, especially through the winter/ dry season months. This is a part of Namibia which is great all year round, though we personally prefer the summer months for the warmer and less foggy conditions.
WET SEASON
This is the peak of the wet season, yet days with rainfall are still very rare indeed.
Great birding with migratory species present.
Less foggy conditions.
Temperatures are pleasant, averaging 25°C/77°F midday, but can occasionally rise well above this. Night time lows average a comfortable 17°C/63°F.
The Skeleton Coast has a desert climate, with just the very occasional rain shower during the Namibian wet season, which runs from October through to April. The rest of the year rainfall is very unlikely. Its location between the cold Atlantic Ocean and the hot interior does however give rise to some very foggy conditions, especially through the winter/ dry season months. This is a part of Namibia which is great all year round, though we personally prefer the summer months for the warmer and less foggy conditions.
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The personalised service provided was far beyond my expectations. A three week trip visiting four countries in Africa, multiple game reserves, wineries and much, much more was flawless. While a close encounter with a leopard and her cubs…
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