NAMIBIA - THE SKELETON COAST ITINERARY:
DAY 1 ~ Windhoek – Skeleton Coast
From Windhoek, take a morning flight northwest to the remote
and rugged Skeleton Coast, a strange landscape of sand dunes,
gravel plains, and fog-bound, treacherous coastline. You will be
met upon arrival at the airstrip and transferred to Skeleton
Coast Camp, set in a private area of about 600,000 acres of
Skeleton Coast Park and about 12 miles inland from the coast.
The camp features six luxury "Meru-style" tents that are large
and roomy, and an open-air dining area under an ancient leadwood
tree. It's a comfortable base from which to explore this
incredible and diverse corner of the world. Activities include
all-day safaris, game and nature drives, birding, and guided
walks. Lunch, Dinner…Skeleton Coast Camp
DAYS 2-3
You'll spend the next few days exploring Skeleton Coast Park
on foot or by vehicle. The arid desert environment in the
Skeleton Coast is within the northern reaches of the Namib
Desert. The cold Benguela Current travels from Antarctica and
brings plankton-rich waters to this coastline, along with
massive amounts of fish. The current also helps to moderate
temperatures. The cool air off the ocean meets the hotter desert
air, and nearly every morning in winter, a cool mist envelops
the coastline, bringing life sustaining moisture to the desert.
(By about 9 or 10 a.m. this mist is burned off by the rays of
the sun.)
Freshwater springs permeate the barren sands to create rare
desert oases that sustain pockets of wildlife. Springbok,
gemsbok (oryx), the rare desert elephant, ostrich, Cape fur
seals, jackal, and brown hyena—even cheetah on rare
occasions—carve out an existence in this rugged terrain, along
with vegetation like the ancient Welwitschia that has adapted to
the harsh conditions.
Though there are many regions in the Skeleton Coast, we'll visit
the most isolated, beautiful, remote, and private northern
sector of the park—just north of Mowe Bay to just south of the
Kunene River. While here we'll spend most of the day out in the
wild, with a picnic lunch, and return to camp in the late
afternoon. We travel in 4x4 Land Rovers with pop-top roofs and
cover an extraordinary variety of terrain. Nature drives may
include visits to the clay "castles" of the Hoarusib River,
deposited here around 35,000 years ago; Rocky Point on the
coast, where seals frolic offshore and dolphins swim close by;
the roaring dunes; lichen fields; and possibly a shipwreck site.
We may also have a chance to do some walking—due to the pristine
nature of the area, many parts are accessible only on foot, and
we'll be able to search out many specially adapted species of
plants like lithops and welwitschia.
While in the extreme northern section of the Skeleton Coast, we
will also have a chance to visit with the Himba nomads (the
bare-breasted, ochre-daubed women you may have seen in photos).
The Himba are celebrated for their traditional way of life,
which revolves around their cattle, symbols of wealth and
status. Many still wear traditional dress: animal-skin aprons or
skirts and jewelry that includes coiled leather necklaces,
copper bangles, and beaded anklets. The women also sport
elaborate braided hairdos. The Himba migrated into the area from
central Africa and tend their stock in these thirstlands.
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner each day…Skeleton Coast Camp
DAY 4 (or 5) ~ Depart
Transfer to the airstrip and fly back to Windhoek.
Breakfast...
Stay a Little Longer
You may wish to combine this trip with one of our regular
group departures in Africa, or other individual travel on your
own. Please call us for the details.
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