Thrilling Exploration of the Skeleton Coast
Shipwreck Lodge Extension
Overview
Along the northern Atlantic Coast of Namibia, hot desert sand dunes meet the cold Benguela Current creating thick banks of fog that have caused countless shipwrecks over the years. The hulls of wrecked vessels give this coast its unforgettable name—the Skeleton Coast. Explore this haunting realm from an extraordinary lodge, the Shipwreck Lodge, designed to immerse you in this utterly remote location. Witness Cape fur seals that line the rocky shorelines, walk along beaches and dunes strewn with whale bones and the remnants of shipwrecks, and venture into the richly colored desert terrain by 4WD—a thrilling adventure in one of the most secluded and surreal landscapes on the planet!
Arrive: Windhoek, Namibia
Depart: Windhoek, Namibia
Highlights
- See the dramatic landscape from the air on a scenic shared light aircraft flight
- Explore the fascinating Skeleton Coast by 4WD along the Hoarusib River
Itinerary
Upon arrival in Namibia's capital city, you'll settle in to the Galton House, a small boutique hotel where you can dine al fresco in the garden by the pool...D
This morning, head out early for your scheduled flight to Hoanib Valley Camp airstrip. Transferring planes in Hoanib Valley Camp, you'll board a scenic flight that brings you above the dramatic desert—one of the best ways to take in the stark but spectacular landscape—to Mowe Bay. Upon arrival, transfer by road for a 1 to 2-hour drive to Shipwreck Lodge, an absolutely unique accommodation set in a slice of remote wilderness where relics of ships and towering dunes are swept by the ocean breeze. Over the next three days, explore the region on 4 x 4 drives in Skeleton Coast Park. Covering about a third of Namibia's coastline, Skeleton Coast Park stretches from the Ugab River in the south to the Kunene River in the north. The subtle but stunning variation in the colors of the desert are striking, and the aura and mystery shrouding the landscapes are legendary. You'll beachcomb for sun-bleached whale bones, marvel at geological wonders like clay castles, look for tok-tokkie beetles and unusual desert-adapted plants and wildlife, and maybe even spot an elephant wading into the waves. Enjoy coffee in the mornings on the deck with uninterrupted, spectacular views, and cap off your days with sundowners atop misty, golden dunes. Overnights at the Shipwreck Lodge...BLD each day
Drive to Mowe Bay for your direct flight to Hoanib Valley Camp Airstrip. From there, fly to Windhoek...BL
A visa is not required for U.S. citizens visiting Namibia.
Accommodations
Scroll through our signature accommodations for this trip below. Although it is highly unlikely, we may make substitutions when necessary.
What the Trip is Like
Review Trip Level Details
The climate is typical of a semi-desert country. Days are warm to hot and nights are generally cool. Temperatures are modified by the high plateau in the interior and by the cold Benguela Current that runs along the Atlantic coastline. Except for the first few months of the year, the region is generally dry with very little rain.
Book your trip today
Our Area Specialists know every detail about our tours. They will be happy to answer any questions and help you choose the journey that’s right for you. Contact us to learn more or book your trip today!
Itinerary
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Trip Levels
With more than 200 different adventures to choose from, we want to help you find the trip that’s right for you. Our Trip Level system ranks each trip in two ways: a number rating from 1 to 6 according to the activity, and general travel rigors. 1 is the easiest and 6+ the most difficult—see descriptions below for explanations of each number. A plus (+) sign means the trip is a bit more strenuous than other trips of that level. The detailed explanation of each trip—below the bar with the number rating—is perhaps more important, specifying activities, altitudes, hiking, and travel conditions. The Detailed Itinerary, available by download or mail, gives further information. Our Area Managers can also answer questions and guide you to the trip that best suits your interests.
Level 1 – Easiest
Non-camping journeys, optional walks, little elevation gain or loss.
Level 2 – Easy to Moderate
Hotel nights and/or safari-style camping, hikes of two to four hours on some days. Other physical activities are sometimes included, such as optional sea kayaking.
Level 3 – Moderate
Half- to full-day hikes (3-6 hours) over rolling countryside on most days, occasional steep trails. Many of our hotel-based walking tours are in this category, as are our snorkeling adventures.
- Tuscany & the Cinque Terre
- Argentina: Hikes and Estancias of Patagonia
- Palau Snorkeling & Sea Kayaking
- Some trips with minimal hiking but rugged travel conditions or long drives, such as Tribal Ghana, Togo & Benin, are Trip Level 3.
Level 4 – Moderate to Strenuous
Full-day hikes (4-6 hours), mountainous terrain, significant elevation gains and losses (hiking up or down as much as 3,000 feet) on many days. Altitudes no greater than about 10,000 feet.
Level 5 – Strenuous
Full-day hikes (4-8 hours), mountainous, steep terrain (hiking up or down as much as 3,500 feet) on many days. Trips with hiking at average altitudes of 10,000 to 12,000 feet are in this category.
Level 6 – Very Strenuous
Full-day hikes (5-8 hours), mountainous, steep terrain (hiking up or down as much as 3,500 feet) on many days. Most hikes take place at altitudes above 10,000 feet, with some days ascending as high as 18,000 feet.