Faces of the Skeleton Coast

The Skeleton Coast is known for the many shipwrecks along its inhospitable shores. The bushmen called this area “The Land God Made in Anger” while the Portuguese sailors spoke of it as “The Gates of Hell”. John Henry Marsh coined the name Skeleton Coast in his book published in 1944, deriving it from the whale and seal bones that littered the shore at one time, some skeletal remains still being seen today.

Tales of immense suffering and loss of life, but also of miraculous escapes and heroic recues in years gone by, add to the fascinating experience of travelling along this coast up to the Kunene River mouth, where Namibia and Angola meet.

Along the coast, the cold Benguela current gives rise to dense ocean fog. The mighty Kunene’s emerald-green water carves a deep gorge through massive black rock formations and majestic yellow sand dunes on its way to the Atlantic Ocean.

Skeleton Coast National Park is approximately 16 000-square-kilometres and stretches from the Ugab River to the Kunene. This area was previously closed to the public but has been opened to allow a handful of visitors per year to experience its barren beauty and share in its rich history. To make the experience even more rewarding, a stretch of 65 km driving up huge sand dunes and sliding down the steep slip faces lies ahead as we turn east to cross the Namib Desert.

The return trip through the Hartmann’s Valley with its vast grasslands, mysterious fairy circles and abundance of game, offers a unique experience of its own. This is an expedition not to miss out on!

Period: 01 January 2024 – 31 December 2024

  • Scheduled departures require a minimum of 20 adults to proceed.
  • Privately booked tour dates require a minimum of 20 adults for the trip to proceed at the published rates.

SADC Residents Tour cost
Per adult: R 17,500.00
Per child (16 – 17 years): R 7,100.00
Per child (09 – 15 years): R 6,300.00
Per child (0 – 08 years): R 5,200.00
Single Supplement: R 1,750.00

NON-SADC Residents Tour cost
Per adult: R 18,650.00
Per child (16 – 17 years): R 8,300.00
Per child (09 – 15 years): R 6,900.00
Per child (0 – 08 years): R 5,900.00
Single Supplement: R 1,750.00

** The single supplement only applies if there is only 1 adult in a vehicle.

Prices for concession fees, taxes, park fees and fuel may be changed without prior notice. This is beyond our control and any increase levied will be passed to you.

IS A BOOKING REQUIREMENT THAT YOU MUST SUBMIT PROOF OF TRAVEL INSURANCE WHEN MAKING YOUR FIRST PAYMENT; YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO JOIN THE TOUR WITHOUT TRAVEL INSURANCE.

This tour is offered in partnership with the concession holder, Skeleton Coast Adventure Tours / OIG.

Itinerary

Essentials

What to bring

The following items is mandatory for each participation vehicle:

  • Spade
  • 60 litres water of which 20 litres will be used by the kitchen and the remainder will be for shower purposes.
  • Bottled water for drinking
  • Tyre pressure gauge
  • Toilet paper & matches
  • Plastic bags to carry waste (e.g. empty cool drink tins, etc)
  • Brake fluid
  • Gear oil
  • Engine oil
  • Fuses
  • Spare V- Belt set
  • Two spare tyres
  • Sufficient fuel to cover the distance – 1150km. Heavy sand driving conditions (+/- 2.5-3 km/litre and +/- 4 km/litrer consumption for larger petrol and diesel engines respectively) will be experienced.
  • Vehicle to be fitted with points to attach tow ropes both in front and at the rear. NB!!
  • All equipment and luggage must be strapped in and securely fastened
  • Vehicle must be loaded in such a way to ensure that the vehicle is not “Top Heavy” – e.g. only light items, camping gear on roof carriers
  • 2 Large bags of firewood per vehicle.
  • The trail passes through heavy dune area, which requires high flotation tyres (“fat takkies”).

Optionally:

  • Hi lift Jack & Q20 Spray
  • Small broom and spade

We supply:

  • Communication radios for all participating vehicles
  • 2 Meals (Only Tea/Coffee and fruit juices supplied with meals)
  • “Communal” camping equipment (e.g. braai grid, cooking facilities & equipment, tables, wash-up facilities, shower, toilet etc.)

All you need:

  • Tent, folding chair & sleepwear (bedroll, tent etc.)
  • Eating utensils (cutlery, plate, bowl, glass & mug)
  • Lunch
  • Own snacks & refreshments (alcoholic beverages, cool drinks etc.)
  • Torch & batteries
  • Camera (extra films & battery)
  • Sunglasses & sun tan lotion
  • Clothing (very hot and very cold), toiletries & towels.
  • Prescribed medicine
  • Small bowl or collapsible wash basin

PLEASE NOTE: This tour cannot be done with a trailer.

DAY 1:

Swakopmund direction Rocky Point +/- 500km

We meet in Swakopmund at 07h45 (RSA time) with full tanks where we hand out communication radio’s for each vehicle and organise the convoy for departure at 08h00.

We travel via Cape Cross to Terrace Bay, where we need to refuel once more.

Petrol vehicles need at least 250ltrs fuel and Diesel vehicles 220ltrs from Terrace Bay for the trip.

From Terrace Bay we travel to Möve Bay where the official road ends and enter the beach (tide depending). We proceed a few kilometers North of Möve Bay where we will seek shelter near the beach and set up camp for the night.

DAY 2:

Möve Bay to Angra Fria +/- 150km

Today we will travel along the beach (tide depending) past the Hoarusib River mouth. En route we will stop at the wreckage of the Ventura bomber involved in the rescue of the stranded passengers from the Dunedin Star. We travel past Rocky Point, the Khumib and Hoanib river mouth and all the way to Angra Fria where camp will be set up either on the beach (weather depending) or amongst some lava hills.

DAY 3:

Towards Kunene-mouth +/- 120km

After breakfast we venture towards the Kunene mouth. This involves beach travelling past the famous Dunedin Star wreck site and huge salt pans.

Once we passed Bosluis Bay we will reach the Kunene River mouth with its famous wetlands inhabited by 72 different bird species, as well as the Nile crocodile (NO swimming!) and soft-shelled terrapins (turtles).

 

DAY 4:

Kunene-mouth to Hartmann Valley +/- 65km

Today will be dune driving day in a easterly direction all the way to the Hartmann Valley. We will stay as close to the thundering Kunene River as possible, with beautiful, scenic spots along the way.

Tonight’s camp will be set up next to the Kunene River at a very spectacular spot with rock pools for swimming.

This place can only be visited with capable vehicles as getting back up from the Kunene is not possible for normal aspirated Diesels or other underpowered vehicles.

DAY 5:

Kunene to Marble Campsite +/- 120km

We leave the Kunene and travel down the Hartmann Valley until we reach the Marble Campsite, a Community Camp with all the luxuries. We will spot wildlife, such as zebra, giraffe and possibly rhino along the way, as well as plenty oryx and springbok. The routes are slow and scenery can therefore be enjoyed to its fullest.

DAY 6:

Marble campsite to Purros +/- 80km

We visit the marble quarry and then travel towards the Hoarusib River. Today will be a slow drive and elephants are on the ‘scenic menu’ as we will definitely encounter them.

The river is lushly vegetated with Mopani trees and large Makalani palm trees. The drive will vary from sandy riverbeds to rocky ‘twee spoor’ tracks and we will call today the ‘elephant day’.

The drive will take the whole day until we reach Purros Community Camp, where we will camp amongst the elephants, which will keep our adrenaline pumping due to their continuous presence during the night.

This is our last evening together. Walking around at night time is a ‘no-no’ due to the presence of the elephants.

DAY 7:

Departure

After one last breakfast together we travel towards Sesfontein/Palmwag for refuelling, and then everybody will travel by themselves to their own destinations – Etosha Pan is nearby, or you can continue via Caprivi to Botswana or merely travel via Kamanjab to Windhoek or optionally via Khorixas (Damaraland) back to Swakopmund.

End of Service

(Fuel consumption guideline: Petrol vehicles: 3km/litre and Diesel vehicles: 4km/litre)

The guide reserves the right to change / alter routes should weather- and tide conditions, vehicle- and / or driver performance require so!!

Book This Tour

Details

Duration: 7 Days/6 Nights

Highlights

  • Drive along a stretch of desolate coastline where very few people have set foot before. The Skeleton Coast is infamous for the many ship wrecks along its inhospitable shores.