Skeleton Coast
Namibia's Skeleton Coast is aptly named.
Many sail-powered vessels have foundered along
its 1 600 km shoreline of massive sand dunes, the
world's highest - driven by prevailing on-shore
winds and the influential Benguela Current.
For the visitor, inland conditions are even more
daunting: extreme hot daytime and cold nighttime
temperatures; for many years no surface water;
sparse vegetation; precious little shade; rocky
desert - magnificent Nature, in fact.
Early Portuguese sailors called it the Sands of
Hell. Before Swakopmund was settled in 1893
no one lived along this most hostile of Earth's
coasts. To survive a shipwreck but to expire in
the desert dunes was not a pleasant prospect.
Few lived.
Today, you can drive along the coast road as
far north as Torrace Bay. Road access is
restricted to this southern section. The scenery
is challengingly repetitive, of course, but off road,
on foot, peace and tranquility will give you a
wonderful bespoke safari experience. Don't get
out of your vehicle unless you are certain it is
permitted. Precious, endangered birds - of
which the Damara tern is one and down to only
a thousand breeding pairs - will abandon chicks
if disturbed in its desert breeding grounds.
King & King organises visits to this part of the
world. Your bespoke safari experience may
include mysterious desert elephant. It will
include tour guides whose knowledge is
comprehensive and entertaining. Take time out
with them.
But, whatever you do make sure you get
professional advice first. Some times of the
year, particularly around the long summer
holiday period either side of Christmas and
New Year, see every type of hotel or lodge
or camp booked solid, often with national
or international fishing competitions.
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