The ancient dunes of the Namib desert are as alive as the ocean that borders it. Towering dunes and desert plains give way to mountain ranges and rugged canyons. Extraordinary geological features prevail, with richly colored volcanic formations and beaches layered with brightly colored pebbles. Witness the mysterious phenomenon of the Roaring Dunes, caused by countless millions of sand granules on the march.

The Skeleton Coast hugs Africa’s Atlantic shoreline and owes its name to the many ship wrecks strewn along its remote shores, icons to the battle between man and the ocean.

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Fly-In Adventures
Access to the area is limited and is one of the reasons for its reputation as a wildlife adventure area. Access is by 4x4 vehicles or light aircraft. Fly in safaris are the only way to reach the northern part of the unique 80,000 square mile (200,000 Km2) Skeleton Coast Park, providing a bird’s eye view of the spectacular desert landscapes. Adventure options are available for everyone, from honeymooners to rugged outdoor fanatics.

Eco Travel Destination
Visitors are attracted to this region by its pristine desert wilderness, remote and rugged shores, ghostly shipwrecks, extraordinary geological landscapes, 4x4 exploration across fields of dunes, comfortable camping under desert stars and proximity to exotic people and wildlife eco safaris. Dunes magically change color with the rise and fall of the sun, providing a kaleidoscope of interest to the wildlife photographer. A lizard buries its body in the sand for protection from the scorching sun as desert elephants, giraffe and antelope meander for miles in search of water. Lion and black rhino are found in small numbers due to heavy poaching but conservation efforts aided by revenue brought in through wildlife tours have saved them from extinction.

The Himba people of Namibia
The Himba people of this beautiful and often colorful desert live a short distance inland from the harsh Atlantic coastline. As with the wildlife, they have learnt to adapt to their harsh environment. They compliment their surroundings by dressing themselves in goat skins and jewelry fashioned from leather, metal and shells and cover their bodies in rich ochre mud mixed with animal fat, turning their skin into a lush chocolate brown.

Etosha National Park
East and inland of the Skeleton Coast, Etosha National Park’s vast salt pans, savanna and woodlands provides host to a diverse variety of wildlife including Africa’s Big 5 and a breeding ground for flamingos flourishing around the salt pans. In the rainy season from January through March the pan fills with water and it is not uncommon to see a herd of fifty elephant walking straight down the road. Green feeding grounds abound with animals giving birth.

Namib-Naukluft National Park
Brushing the Atlantic Ocean to the south is the Namib-Nauklut National Park. True to the contrasting landscapes of Namibia, it is an adventure wilderness of purple hued mountains and towering apricot colored sand dunes. This region of the Namib is believed to be the oldest desert known to man. Sandwich lagoon, an estuarine lagoon and wetland, emerges as a surprise from the desert landscape. Protected from the Atlantic, this important part of the desert ecology supports 200,000 birds drawn to the mudflats.