Venture to Namibia’s Skeleton Coast and Kaokoveld, among the wildest, most exclusive frontiers in Africa. Stark yet spellbinding, this land of shipwreck-strewn shores, red-ochre Himba culture, and desert-adapted wildlife is best explored by fly-in safari. Remote luxury lodges blend eco-design with indulgent comfort, while expert guides reveal elephants, lions, rare birds and vast, hauntingly beautiful landscapes—an unforgettable journey into pure wilderness.
Travel to Namibia’s Skeleton Coast and Kaokoveld for some of the wildest places left in Africa. A hard, elemental land of sun, sea, sand and stone, it is nevertheless home to beguiling beautiful landscapes and desert animals as well as the cattle-owning Himba people, made famous by the red ochre pigment they cover their bodies with for protection against the sun.
Marked by the ghostly remains of wrecked ships, the Skeleton Coast is a long stretch of treacherous Atlantic coast running from Swakopmund to the Kunene River and Angola border. Move inland and you enter the Kaokoveld, the region lying north of Etosha Park and the Kunene – and one of the most sparsely populated places on earth.
These two safari regions are usually combined in a fly-in adventure, giving you quick and easy access to remote lodges. Built to exacting environmental standards, these accommodations offer home-from-home comfort and food, and their specialist guides lead you on walks and drives in search of rare birds, antelope and even giraffe. Lions and desert-adapted elephants are occasional sightings but Skeleton Coast seal colonies regularly attract jackal and brown hyena while a secret Kaokoveld river hides some of the most sought-after birds in Southern Africa.
It’s best to combine a Skeleton Coast and Kaokoveld safari with Namibia’s other top destinations such as Etosha Park and the Sossusvlei dunes. You’ll enjoy classic game viewing in Etosha as well as all the spectacular imagery of the Namib Desert; shared charter flights take the sting out of the huge distances involved. Note that although Namibia is generally a recommended self-drive destination, the Skeleton Coast and Kaokoveld are most definitely not except for the most well equipped and professionally guided expeditions.
Ask us about a Skeleton Coast and Kaokoveld safari in Namibia. We can recommend the best accommodation for your interests and will package it complete with transfers. And it’s easy to add on a grand finale in the Okavango Delta or Victoria Falls – just ask us how.
Buffeted by ocean winds and scoured by desert heat, the Skeleton Coast and Kaokoveld have a predictably harsh and unforgiving climate. That said, rainfall is extremely low and mostly falls between January and March. The long dry months of May to November offer almost guaranteed clear skies and from June to August night time temperatures plummet to barely above freezing. Note that September to December sees extremely hot weather – an advantage however if you are watching wildlife at permanent water such as the Kunene River.
There are only a handful of Skeleton Coast lodges, an unsurprising fact given the harsh and uncompromising nature of the region. But our accommodation choices sit in prime positions, havens of serenity and comfort in a true wilderness. You’ll be assured of comfortable living quarters with en suite bathroom facilities and home-cooked cuisine.
Activities at the lodges are varied: you’ll head out on nature drives and walks with expert guides, and can enjoy archaeological tours and tours through the night time sky. There are rare birds to search for and amazing photographic opportunities at every turn.
Browse our recommended Skeleton Coast lodges below or simply contact us for advice on suitable accommodation for your needs and budget.
Contemporary design & strict eco-principles make this tented masterpiece a sparkling gem in one of Namibia’s most remote settings. Search for elephant, rhino & lion & visit the dramatic, storm-battered coastline on drives with expert guides.
Set on the Kunene River, this extraordinary lodge is surrounded by lush greenery & birdsong while the lunar-like desert shimmers on both sides. Look forward to surreal scenery; drives, walks & boating; interaction with local Himba communities & staggering starry nights.
Heavyweight game viewing is what this romantic Kaokoland lodge aims to deliver: you’ll enjoy game drives in search for elephants, rhino & lions. Back at camp, your suite comes with a private gazebo & day bed plus bathroom with an unfettered desert view.
A Skeleton Coast safari is best experienced as part of a larger Namibia itinerary. This gives you the chance to combine the elemental power of the wild Atlantic coastline with Namibia’s big game and desert destinations.
The Skeleton Coast begins just north of Swakopmund, making this popular seaside town the ideal jumping off point for tours. It’s a region that also combines easily with other destinations in Namibia’s wild north. Most itineraries with the Skeleton Coast on them will also include Etosha National Park, the haunting beauty of Damaraland and even the untamed landscapes of the Kaokoveld. Namibia’s showpiece – Sossusvlei – lies further south in the Namib Desert and is included on longer itineraries, either on fly-in tours or self-drive adventures.
Browse our recommended tours below, each including a Skeleton Coast safari. If you’d like a more personalised approach, then simply contact us and we’ll tailor-make an itinerary based on your needs and budget.
Our team of destination experts will design a holiday to meet your budget and interests. Let’s start planning your tailor-made African safari today!
A Skeleton Coast and Kaokoveld safari is usually part of a bigger itinerary featuring Namibia’s other top destinations such as the giant dunes of Sossusvlei and the game viewing of Etosha National Park. And although the southern region of the Skeleton Coast can be accessed from popular seaside town Swakopmund, you’ll need to fly into accommodation further north on the coast and into the super-remote Kaokoveld. Lodges have their own landing strips and the flight itself is a spectacularly scenic one.
