The Skeleton Coast of Namibia...

A little about the Skeleton Coast

The Skeleton Coast is the northern part of the Atlantic Ocean coast of Namibia and south of Angola from the Kunene River south to the Swakop River, although the name is sometimes used to describe the entire Namib Desert coast. The Bushmen of the Namibian interior called the region "The Land God Made in Anger", while Portuguese sailors once referred to it as "The Gates of Hell".

The name Skeleton Coast was coined by John Henry Marsh as the title for the book he wrote chronicling the shipwreck of the Dunedin Star. Since the book was first published in 1944 it has become so well known that the coast is now generally referred to as Skeleton Coast and is given that as its official name on most maps today.

On the coast the upwelling of the cold Benguela current gives rise to dense ocean fogs (called "cassimbo" by the Angolans) for much of the year. The winds blow from land to sea, rainfall rarely exceeds 10 millimetres annually and the climate is highly inhospitable. There is a constant, heavy surf on the beaches. In the days before engine-powered ships and boats, it was possible to get ashore through the surf but impossible to launch from the shore. The only way out was by going through a marsh hundreds of miles long and only accessible via a hot and arid desert.

The coast is largely soft sand occasionally interrupted by rocky outcrops. The southern section consists of gravel plains while north of Terrace Bay the landscape is dominated by high sand dunes. Skeleton Bay is now known as a great location for surfing.

The Shipwrecks at the Skeleton Coast

Dunes of Namibia!

     

The Namib is a coastal desert in southern Africa. The name Namib is of Nama origin and means "vast place". According to the broadest definition, the Namib stretches for more than 2,000 kilometres  along the Atlantic coasts of Angola, Namibia, and South Africa, extending southward from the Carunjamba River in Angola, through Namibia and to the Olifants River in Western Cape, South Africa. The Namib's northernmost portion, which extends 450 kilometres  from the Angola-Namibia border, is known as Moçâmedes Desert, while its southern portion approaches the neighboring Kalahari Desert. From the Atlantic coast eastward, the Namib gradually ascends in elevation, reaching up to 200 kilometres  inland to the foot of the Great Escarpment. Annual precipitation ranges from 2 millimetres in the most arid regions to 200 millimetres at the escarpment, making the Namib the only true desert in southern Africa. The Namib may be the  oldest desert in the world and contains some of the world's driest regions.

The desert geology consists of sand seas near the coast, while gravel plains and scattered mountain outcrops occur further inland. The sand dunes, some of which are 300 metres high and span 32 kilometres long, are the second largest in the world after the Badain Jaran Desert dunes in China. Temperatures along the coast are stable and generally range between 9–20 °C (48–68 °F) annually, while temperatures further inland are variable—summer daytime temperatures can exceed 45 °C (113 °F) while nights can be freezing. Fogs that originate offshore from the collision of the cold Benguela Current and warm air from the Hadley Cell create a fog belt that frequently envelops parts of the desert. Coastal regions can experience more than 180 days of thick fog a year. While this has proved a major hazard to ships—more than a thousand wrecks litter the Skeleton Coast—it is a vital source of moisture for desert life.

The Namib is almost completely uninhabited by humans except for several small settlements and indigenous pastoral groups, including the Ovahimba and Obatjimba Herero in the north, and the Topnaar Nama in the central region. Owing to its antiquity, the Namib may be home to more endemic species than any other desert in the world. Most of the desert wildlife is arthropods and other small animals that live on little water, although larger animals inhabit the northern regions. Near the coast, the cold ocean water is rich in fishery resources and supports populations of brown fur seals and shorebirds, which serve as prey for the Skeleton Coast's lions. Further inland, the Namib-Naukluft National Park, the largest game park in Africa, supports populations of African Bush Elephants, Mountain Zebras, and other large mammals. Although the outer Namib is largely barren of vegetation, lichens and succulents are found in coastal areas, while grasses, shrubs, and ephemeral plants thrive near the escarpment. A few types of trees are also able to survive the extremely arid climate.

Few facts about Swakopmund...

1. Where does the name Swakopmund come from?

This is one of the most common questions from travelers. Many spot the “mund” in the name, acknowledging that this means “mouth” in German, and correctly concluding that Swakopmund is the mouth of the Swakop River; but what does “Swakop” mean?

A recent theory believes that “Swakop” is actually based on the San language, namely from “xwaka” (rhinoceros) and “ob” (river). Many find this far-fetched as it is well known there are currently no rhino within in the vicinity of Swakopmund, but once there were. Fossilized rhino footprints have been found in Walvis bay, recently uncovered by a shifting sand dune.

The German settlers changed “xwaka ob” to “Swachaub”, and the full form “Swakopmund,” or the mouth of the Rhinoceros River, was embraced in 1896 when the district was officially declared.

2. Why are the streets so wide?

The streets are wide because when the roads were first built in the early 1900’s, everything was transported by horse and carriage (or mule and carriage), and a lot of space was needed for them to deliver goods and then back out and turn around. In those days there was a lot of space and few people, so there was plenty of room to favour convenience over real estate.

3. Why was Swakopmund founded so close to Walvis Bay?

Many people wonder why two towns were founded so close to each other in such a scantly populated country. The answer hearkens back to colonial days. Swakopmund was established in 1896 by German settlers, mainly for its fresh water source and reasonably accommodating port. If given the choice, the Germans probably would have claimed Walvis Bay, as there is also fresh water there and a far better port, but at the time, Walvis Bay was engaged by the British, and the Germans chose to rather bypass Walvis Bay and settle in Swakopmund. That is why there is so much German culture in Swakopmund. It was originally a German colony, and it still preserves much of its heritage.

4. Why is there so much mist in Swakopmund?

Swakopmund locals love the mist, saying the cool air moistened with ocean water is good for health. Whether or not you believe that, it is true that Swakopmund is often covered in mist.

In the daytime, air which is relatively moist because of the sea breeze moves inland, and then it condenses overnight with the cooling air. Westerly land winds blow the mist back toward the sea. The mist bank results mainly because easterly land winds pushing to the west bump up against the southwesterly winds from the sea causing a mist bank which normally settles anywhere from a few kilometers off shore to a few kilometers inland.

5. What is a Welwitschia?

The Welwitschia plant is one of Namibia’s most magnificent natural phenomena. Namibians like to claim the Welwitschia as its very own, which is almost true, but the Namib desert continues into Angola, where you will still find some of these hardy plants.

Taxonomically categorized as trees, they look more like ground shrubbery with a wooden mouth-like core and ample, thick leaves extending out on two sides. They appear to have quite a few leaves, but there are actually only two which split as a result of the dry desert air into many fibers.

They are unusual organisms, but perhaps the most incredible feature of the Welwitschia is that the oldest of them have been surviving in the harsh Namib desert for over 2000 years!

Our very famous Namibian Highlights Selfdrive Tour!

Tour Length: 14 days and 13 nights
Day 1 Windhoek to Anib Lodge
	Arrival at the Hosea Kutako International Airport, collect your rental vehicle and travel towards Windhoek, Namibia’s Capital. From Windhoek you will then travel on the B1 towards Mariental, passing Rehoboth. On you’re journey you will see the change of scenery from rolling hills to rolling Kalahari dunes.
Day 2 Anib Lodge – Canyon Lodge
	Enjoy a hearty breakfast and start your journey onwards towards the Fish River Canyon on the B1 towards Keetmanshoop. If time permits you are able to visit the Quivertree Forest and the Giants Playground. Continue further until you reach the Canon Lodge. Enjoy the tranquil atmosphere of this unique accommodation built amongst the rocks.
Day 3 Canyon Lodge
	Enjoy the home-style meals offered by the Lodge. Here you have to chance to see the Fish River Canyon in all its glory. Enjoy the activities that are offered, for instance a Scenic Flight, Canyon Drive or Sundown Drive.
Day 4 Canyon Lodge - Nest Hotel
	After booking out, you travel onwards to Lüderitz the quaint little town with German atmosphere. Here you are able to enjoy seafood platters and explore the Lüderitz Peninsula. Visit the Kolmans Kop ghost town or the Diaz Point.
Day 5 Nest Hotel - Namtib Biosphere
	Early morning wake up. See if you want to go on a boat trip and explore the coastal town from another angle. Travel onwards to the Namtib Lodge & Biosphere, situated in the Tiras Mountains. The fascinating landscape of the farm offers an abundance of breathtaking views and hosts a wealth of fauna and flora.
Day 6 Namtib Biosphere - Sossus Dune Lodge
	Travel on the D707 towards Sesriem, enjoying the scenery of the Tiras Mountains and Namib Rand. The first lodge in the Namib-Naukluft Park, is the Sossus Dune Lodge. Built in an environmentally sensitive manner, primarily from wood, canvas and thatch, in an attractive ‘afro-village’ style, Sossus Dune Lodge will offer guests an evocative and life changing experience. Situated within the park, guests will benefit from being able to reach Sossusvlei before sunrise, and to stay until after sunset, and on their return after an exhilarating day, to relax in the tranquility and splendor of the Namib Desert, under the spectacular African sky.
Day 7 Sossus Dune Lodge
	Early morning wake up. Today you travel onwards towards Sesriem and the Sossusvlei, en-route visit the Duwiseb Castle and over the Tsaris Pass to Sossus Dune Lodge. Arrive at Sossus Dune Lodge refresh, relax and enjoy the most spectacular views of the Namib Desert in the distance. Go on a Sundowner drive and enjoy the vastness of the Dunes.
Day 8 Sossus Dune Lodge - Swakopmund (Hansa Hotel)
	Today you will travel through the Namib Desert, showing you the vastness and desolate part of Namibia. Here you will be aw-inspired by its beauty. You will then be met by the Atlantic Ocean, the coastal towns of Walvis Bay and Swakopmund. Feast on the German confectionaries that Swakopmund has to offer as well as stroll through the streets and be amazed by the architecture of old meets new.
Day 9 Hansa Hotel
	Swakopmund has a lot to offer regarding activities, visit the Crystal Gallery, Aquarium and Museum. Here you are also given the opportunity to go on a scenic flight where you can then see the Skeleton Coast to the Namib through eagle eyes, un unforgettable experience. If you enjoy adrenalin then the Dune Buggies or Dune Boarding is the thing for you (your consultant will inform you of other activities that are offered).
Day 10 Hansa Hotel
	Enjoy your last day in Swakopmund! Wake up early with a hearty breakfast. Take a day trip into the Namib Desert and discover its fragile Ecosystems, take a dolphin cruise or just shop for souvenirs. Or if you wish have a gentile day lounging around the numerous, coffee shops and restaurants.
Day 11 Swakopmund - Twyfelfontein Country Lodge
	Enjoy the delectable breakfast that Hansa Hotel has to offer, then make your way onwards to Twyfelfontein/Khorixas area. Here you will have the possibility to travel different routes. Either along the coast, via Karibib, Omaruru and Khorixas or past the Brandberg to Twyfelfontein. Visit the Organ Pipes, Petrified Forest and the White Lady.
Day 12 Twyfelfontein Country Lodge - Etosha (Dolomite Camp)
	Next morning after breakfast, travel onwards towards the Etosha National Park. When you have reached the Dolomite Camp, refresh at the pool with a cold beer or enjoy an Afternoon Game Drive.
Day 13 Etosha - Okaukuejo Resort
	Okaukuejo, located 17km from the southern entrance of the park, was the first, tourist camp to open in the Etosha. Okaukuejo is famous for its flood-lit waterhole, where visitors can observe at close quarters a spectacle of wildlife congregating and interacting. Go on Game Drives, pay a visit to the Museum or just relax at the swimming pool.
Day 14 Etosha - Mushara Lodge
	A short drive out of the Von Lindequist Gate of the Etosha Park, over night in an electric blend of African and modern luxury. Spend your day of your tour lounging around the pool or enter the Etosha again and take pictures of the Animals you have missed on the two days past. (+- 20km)
Day 15 Windhoek - Depart
	Depending on the flight schedules, scroll through Windhoek and enjoy the architecture of the capital city. Visit the shops and markets. Return the rental vehicle at the International Airport.
Included:
	All accommodation as mentioned above. All meals as indicated on the initial itinerary 15% VAT (Value Added Tax) Namibian tourism levy of 2%
Excluded:
	Car rental and the costs that is inclusive to thus. All other meals not mentioned in initial Itinerary All activities. Entrance fees of national parks. Insurance covers Porterages and tips Drinks and personal expenses