Skeleton Coast National Park is located on the North Atlantic Coast of Namibia with one of the most beautiful distant terrain landscapes in Africa. The park includes a vast desert that meets the cold, foggy ocean and ship wrecks which litter the coastline. The park is a natural wonder which attracts adventurers, photographers on safari holiday in Namibia.
The park covers an area of 16,000 square kilometers expanding from the Kunene River in the north to the Hoarusib River in the south. The park is divided into two various zones i.e the Southern Zone open to Travelers and the Northern Zone which is a restricted area that stays off limits due to the conservation and security reasons.
Skeleton Coast’s geography is nothing short of dramatic. The terrain landscape is an intricate blend of sand dunes, dry riverbeds, salt pans, desert plains and rocky outcrops which border the cold Atlantic Ocean.
The inland part of the Skeleton Coast is covered by the Namib Desert which is one of the oldest deserts in the world. The terrain landscape comprises of towering sand dunes, some elevating to more than 300 meters above sea level. It includes arid terrain where rainfall is scarce. Despite the dryness, some hardy plant species, such as the Welwitschia plant manage to survive.
The Skeleton Coast’s coastline is rugged and jagged, often marked by reefs and dangerous currents that have claimed countless ships over the centuries. Fog, driven by cold Atlantic currents, often envelops the coastline, contributing to the park’s eerie, mysterious atmosphere. This thick fog is a direct result of the cold Benguela Current colliding with the desert heat, and it can persist for much of the year. The Dunnottar Castle, Eduard Bohlen, and Shaunee are just a few of the wrecks that have become iconic symbols of the Skeleton Coast’s deadly allure.
The Dunnottar Castle, Eduard Bohlen, and Shaunee are just a few of the wrecks that have become iconic symbols of the Skeleton Coast’s deadly allure. These wrecks are often seen as haunting relics, reminders of the perilous nature of navigating this coastline before modern navigation technology was developed.
Flora and Fauna
Skeleton Coast National Park includes a variety of wildlife, both on land and in the sea. The animals found in the park have adapted to the harsh, dry conditions and the flora reflects the resilience of life in this extreme environment.
Fauna
Skeleton Coast National Park comprises of the desert adapted Elephant which is a resident of the Skeleton Coast and is fond of roaming the arid plains. These elephants have adapted to survive in the harsh environments due to their smaller body sizes and longer legs which help them traverse the desert terrain more efficiently. They rely on desert springs and hidden water sources to sustain themselves.
Other than the elephants, the park includes Lions, Brown Hyena, Giraffes, Oryx and Springbok, jackals, bat-eared foxes, cape fur seals and meerkats. You shall also watch bird species i.e seabirds which inhabit the Guano Islands, rocky outcrops. Other birds are Raptors, pelicans, gulls, terns, pale chanting goshawk and steppe eagles, Migratory Birds like flamingos and waders, etc. There are also Whales, Dolphins.
Climate and Best Time to Visit
The climate of the Skeleton Coast is heavily influenced by its proximity to the Atlantic Ocean and the cold Benguela Current. The temperatures around the park are cool with foggy conditions which rare exceed 25°C (77°F).
Best Time to Visit
The Park can be visited anytime around the year although the best time to visit the park is during the dry season in the months of May to October when temperatures are moderate with fog along the coast. You shall have clearer views of the coastline and its attractions during this period.
Things to do in the Park
Explore the Shipwrecks
While in the park, you shall explore the old shipwrecks along the Skeleton Coast. Getting some of the wrecks, you shall need a guide although others can be accessed using 4×4 vehicles depending on the conditions. One of the most famous is the Eduard Bohlen wreck and can be accessed deep within the park enfolded by sand dunes.
Wildlife Safaris on Game Drive
Skeleton Coast National Park is awesome to explore on Wildlife Safari as you get to watch various wildlife animals on Game Drive seated in a 4×4 wheel vehicle that transfers you from one point to another with ranger guides. The wildlife animals you watch on Game Drive include; elephants, lions, leopards, rhinos, giraffes, various species of antelope like springbok, gemsbok, and kudu as well as cheetahs, wildebeest, zebras, and even smaller animals like jackals, warthogs, and bat-eared foxes. While on the Game Drives, view the desert dunes and the rugged coastline that are perfect backdrops for photography.
Fly-in Safaris
Skeleton Coast National Park can also be explored on fly-in safaris. These are perfect due to the size and remoteness of the park. These give you remarkable aerial views of the terrain vegetation, shipwrecks, wildlife and the coastline. This is an incredible option for travelers looking to experience the park without the physical exertion of a long overland journey.
Photography Safaris
Photographic Safaris are exceptional to do in Skeleton Coast National Park. The park has remarkable spots which include; dramatic landscapes, eerie shipwrecks and unique wildlife which make it exceptional to explore. Travelers can take stunning photos of the Dunes and wildlife animals.
