Why you should visit Namibia’s Skeleton Coast

There’s remote, and then there’s the Skeleton Coast in northwest Namibia… 500km of empty dunes pummeled by Atlantic waves. This patch of coast gets its name from the many shipwrecks whose rusting husks are scattered along the seaboard, but it could just as easily be a reference to the vast emptiness of the area. The whole strip of Namib desert running behind the coast is protected as a national park, and though the majority of the territory is eerily empty, it is possessed of a haunting beauty among its dry dunes and crashing waves. Here we take a look at some of the reasons this destination captures the imagination and weaves a spell on everyone who ventures there. There truly are so many reasons why you should visit Namibia’s Skeleton Coast.

The pristine environment

The Namib is widely believed to be the oldest desert in the world, and has been a dry and barren environment for many millions of years. It stretches around 2,000km along the Atlantic shore in a strip around 200km wide, from southern Angola down the entire length of Namibia and on into South Africa. The section known as the Skeleton Coast is the stretch of Namibian coast that runs south from the border with Angola, and it is characterized by high dunes and gravel plains. There is little evidence of human influence beyond the shipwrecks strewn along its shores, and it is one of the world’s last great wilderness areas.

The shipwrecks

There are thought to be around 1,000 shipwrecks punctuating the empty Skeleton Coast, but no one really knows the true figure. Thick coastal fog is a characteristic of this coastline, arising where the chill from the cold Benguela Current meets the desert winds, and it is this fog along with the voluminous Atlantic swell which has caused so many shipwrecks.

Vessels of all shapes and sizes have met their end here, from ocean liners to stray trawlers and tiny clippers, all succumbing to the strong currents and crashing waves. Some of the most famous ships lost along the Skeleton Coast include the Eduard Bohlen, the Benguela Eagle, and the MV Dunedin Star.

The latter was a Blue Star liner shipwrecked in 1942 with a full load of munitions and crew and a handful of passengers. During the first phase of the rescue attempt, several other vessels were overcome by the harsh conditions and the rescue had to be called off. However, all turned out well for the crew on this occasion, and they were eventually rescued. This was not the case for many others, and a grizzly collection of human skulls at the Mowe Bay Museum bears testament to this.

Impressive desert adaptations

Those same banks of fog which resulted in so many shipwrecks are also the means of survival for much of the life present in the desert habitats of the Skeleton Coast. Many endemic species have adapted over time to harvest moisture from fog, such as darkling beetles that line themselves up along the crests of dunes during foggy days and angle their bodies so that drops of water roll down their bodies to their mouths. Geckos lick moisture from plants and stones, whilst desert plants have evolved into shapes which maximize their water collection possibilities.

Skeleton Coast wildlife

This arid and barren land doesn’t look like it could sustain much life, but there is a surprising amount of activity. It certainly isn’t abundant in wildlife – but life, as they say, finds a way, and there are pockets of busyness, both geographically and at certain times of the year.

The huge populations of cape fur seals are fascinating to watch at both Cape Cross and Cape Fria, particularly from December to April when they are rearing their pups. They can survive in such numbers because the cold Benguela Current is rich in nutrients which in turn brings massive shoals of fish and plankton; perfect food for seals as well as several varieties of sea birds. Out in the waves, Heaviside’s dolphins and green turtles are frequent visitors, whilst on shore jackals and hyenas scavenge for meat among the seal colonies.

Stretching back from the coast, the peaks and contours of the dunes are home to a surprising variety of wildlife. You’ll see hyena and jackal tracks weaving across the sands, as well as the scuttle of various reptiles and giant beetles. Springbok are well suited to the dry environment here, as are ostrich.

If Namibia’s rainy season has been particularly wet then springbok and gemsbok are present in higher numbers, along with zebra, giraffe, rhino and elephants. These rare desert elephants are known to travel huge distances between watering holes and feeding grounds and only live in Namibia and Mali. When the springbok are abundant in the rainy season, even big cats will venture to the Skeleton Coast in pursuit of prey.

Spectacular stargazing

One definite advantage of spending time exploring such an isolated region as the Skeleton Coast is the lack of light pollution. In fact Namibia has been certified as having one of the darkest skies anywhere on our planet. The lack of cloud cover and light from urban areas means it’s perfect for clear nights of stargazing. If you have even a passing curiosity in astronomy, or you are tempted by the romance of stargazing in the African desert, Namibia should be at the top of your wish list.

Desert activities

There are more and more people making the journey to the Skeleton Coast with the sole aim of surfing the huge Atlantic swell in the middle of the wilderness, or kitesurfing across the flawless shoreline. There are numerous breaks and barrels to try for surfers, though the most famous are further south towards Lüderitz.

If watersports aren’t your thing, how about dune bashing in a 4×4, or a wilderness safari learning about the pockets of life that survive in this hostile environment? For an aerial view of the drama of the coast, hop aboard a light aircraft flight, or take to the skies on a hot air balloon ride, sailing high above this unique landscape at sunset.

For active pursuits in another unique setting, the dunes at Sossusvlei are some of the highest in the world, stretching up over 350m and tinged a vibrant red. The Big Daddy Dune is a good choice for a climb with spectacular views from its summit. Nearby Deadvlei Clay Pan is an eerie and striking landscape, punctuated by ancient dead trees silhouetted against the desert backdrop.

The Himba People

To the north near the Angolan border, you’ll encounter several small homesteads of the Himba tribe, some of which can be visited. The Himba are a seminomadic people who have lived in the desert for over 6,000 years. They are pastoralists and hunter-gatherers who follow an ancient and traditional way of life, painting their skin with a mix of ochre and buttermilk for protection and counting wealth in terms of cattle.

When to visit Namibia’s Skeleton Coast

The Skeleton Coast is dry and warm year-round, with chilly nighttime temperatures. Most of the little rain that falls there comes earlier in the year with the dry season running from May to November. Many travelers visiting Namibia will combine the Skeleton Coast with a safari in the Etosha National Park. With this in mind, the best time to visit would be from around May to October.

Make it happen

Such beguiling wilderness regions are rare, and the Skeleton Coast is special for its spellbinding, stark beauty and emptiness. Make it one of the stops on your Namibian itinerary, which our local experts will tailor to your specific requirements. Fill in a brief enquiry form to get started.