- Namibia
- 1,684,500 hectares (16,845 km²)
- 1971
- Kunene and Erongo
- Desert-adapted elephants, lions, and brown hyenas; massive Cape fur seal colonies.
- Low risk (Arid environment).
- ~19°11′S 12°43′E
- Unfenced; part of the Iona-Skeleton Coast Transfrontier Park.
- Coastal dunes, gravel plains, salt pans, and "linear oases" (ephemeral riverbeds).
- for warmer temperatures and less fog; for dramatic, moody atmosphere (though it can be very chilly).
The San people called it "The Place God Made in Anger," while Portuguese sailors knew it as the "Sands of Hell." The Skeleton Coast is one of the most desolate and hauntingly beautiful places on Earth, famous for the rusting shipwrecks and bleached whale bones that litter its fog-shrouded beaches. It is a land where the towering dunes of the Namib Desert meet the icy swells of the Atlantic Ocean.
- Ugabmund Gate (South) and Springbokwasser Gate (East).
- This is the most popular way to see the northern (restricted) section. Flights typically depart from Windhoek or Swakopmund.
- High-end lodges like Shipwreck Lodge and Hoanib Skeleton Coast have their own strips.
- The southern section (up to Terrace Bay) is accessible via the C34 salt road. 4x4 is highly recommended due to sand and salt corrosion.
- Public access ends at Terrace Bay; the northern two-thirds of the park is a wilderness area accessible only by licensed fly-in operators.
- A treacherous, wind-swept coast characterized by the cold Benguela Current and heavy surf.
- Vast, shimmering stretches home to ancient Welwitschia plants and intricate lichen fields.
- Dry channels like the Huab and Hoanib that act as life-giving corridors for large mammals.
- The Cape Cross colony (just south of the park) and various smaller colonies inside the park host hundreds of thousands of seals.
- A unique population that has been known to hunt seals and cormorants along the shoreline.
- The "beachcombers" of the coast, often seen scavenging near seal colonies.
- Heaviside’s dolphins and occasional whales can be spotted from the shore.
Mild days, very cold/windy nights
Dense morning fog is common. Best for tracking desert elephants in riverbeds.
Clearer skies and more comfortable temperatures for coastal exploring.
- The ultimate Skeleton Coast experience, providing a bird's-eye view of shipwrecks and inaccessible dunes.
- Specialized stays in lodges designed to mimic the wreckage found on the shore.
- Terrace Bay is a world-famous destination for shark and sport fishing.
The Skeleton Coast is not a traditional high-density wildlife destination; it is a destination for the adventurous soul seeking solitude, wreckage, and the raw power of nature.