Skeleton Coast: Introduction
The Skeleton Coast Park, approximately 2 million hectare (20 000 sq km) in size is one of the most remote and least visited places on earth and extends from the Kunene River on the northern Namibian border to the Ugab River near Cape Cross in the south. The area is located where the Namib Desert meets the Atlantic Ocean on the northwest coast of Namibia and is named after the bleached whalebones and scattered remains of shipwrecks that washed up on its shores.
The Skeleton Coast Park is wild and barren, once an area feared due to its treacherous coastline is now a place of beauty and tranquility. This coastline park, obscured by mist, dates back to 1963 when used mainly for political reasons; few people are able to visit this protected area, and its mystery remains mostly intact.
Since the inception of the park in 1971 it has been managed by the conservation authorities as a wilderness area where development has been kept to a minimum and to which the public has limited access. The Skeleton Coast Park is a photographer's haven, unpredictable and dramatic and ideal for visitors seeking a true adventure.
Locate the Skeleton Coast
How to get there & Best time to visit
How to get there
When entering from the south, Skeleton Coast National Park is around 200km/125mi from the coastal town of Swakopmund and 485km/300mi from the capital, Windhoek. The drive from Swakopmund takes about 3 to 4 hours* and it’s around 8 hours* from Windhoek. Most people who want a taste of the Skeleton Coast drive to the Cape Cross seal colony, which is about 100km/60mi south of the park entrance.
Self-drive visitors, and most organized tours, start their journey by 4x4 vehicle in Windhoek. Hosea Kutako International Airport (WDH), your point of entry into the country, is 40km/25mi east of Windhoek. An alternative is to arrange a trip that reaches different destinations via charter flight. Charter flights between parks are generally booked by your tour operator and leave from Eros Airport (ERS) in Windhoek.
Best time to visit
Skeleton Coast National Park can be visited throughout the year, but the ideal time is during the warmer months from October to March. These months see a little bit of rain, which keeps the skies clear of dust. Mornings are less foggy and it’s warmer at night than in the winter months. Wildlife viewing in Etosha National Park is less productive at that time, but this is only relevant if you are visiting both parks.
The Skeleton Coast is characterized by heavy fog and a desert climate tempered by cold sea breezes. Early mornings tend to be very misty, but this often clears by midmorning. Aside from the fog, it is mostly sunny and rainfall is low.