Faces of the Skeleton Coast
During this expedition we will be driving along a stretch of desolate coastline where very few people have set foot before.
- Purros
- Hartman Valley
- Kunene River Mouth
- Angra Fria
- Kaokoveld
Overview
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!
Itinerary
DAY 1: SWAKOPMUND DIRECTION ROCKY POINT (±500 KM)
The rendezvous point is at 07:00 in Swakopmund. Ensure that your tank and jerry cans are full when you meet the guides and rest of the group. Communication radios will be installed in each vehicle to be ready for departure by 08:00.
We travel via Cape Cross to Terrace Bay, about 340 km from Swakopmund. Here we stop for a compulsory fuel top-up as this will be the last refueling option.
From Terrace Bay we travel to Möve Bay where the official road ends and we drive onto the beach (tide depending). We proceed a few kilometres north of Möve Bay where we will seek shelter near the beach and set up camp for the night.
O/N Wilderness camping (dinner included)
DAY 2: MÖVE BAY TO ANGRIA FRIA (±150 KM)
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 which was a UK cargo liner. Captain Naude successfully landed the Ventura bomber on the soft dunes, even though there was a real danger that the plane could have cartwheeled. However, when they attempted to take off, one of its wheels became bogged in the sand and Captain Naude and his crew were castaways themselves. It took two weeks before they were rescued by a ground expedition which battled overland more than 1 000 km from Windhoek. We travel past Rocky Point, the Khumib and Hoanib River mouths and proceed all the way to Falls Angra Fria, where we will set up camp either on the beach (weather depending) or amongst some lava hills.
O/N Wilderness camping (breakfast and dinner included).
DAY 3: TOWARDS THE KUNENE RIVER MOUTH (±120 KM)
After breakfast we venture towards the Kunene mouth. This involves beach driving past the famous Dunedin Star wreck site and huge saltpans. The Dunedin Star was designed to ship frozen meat from Australia and New Zealand to the United Kingdom. This cargo liner is especially distinguished for its role during the Second World War when it assisted with relieving the siege of Malta in September 1941. At the end of November 1942, the Dunedin Star ran aground on the Skeleton Coast.
Once we have 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).
O/N Wilderness camping (breakfast and dinner included).
DAY 4: TOWARDS HARTMANN’S VALLEY (±65 KM)
Today will be dune-driving day in an easterly direction all the way to the Hartmann’s Valley. We will stay as close to the thundering Kunene River as possible, with beautiful, scenic spots along the way. Hartmann’s Valley is very arid, and the weather can vary dramatically. The region offers profound sense of wilderness, and the Kunene River nurtures a band of lush vegetation. They valley is home to the Himba, one of the last true nomads in Africa.
Tonight’s camp will be set up in the vicinity of the Kunene River.
O/N Wilderness camping (breakfast and dinner included).
DAY 5: MARBLE CAMPSITE (±120 KM)
We leave the Kunene and travel down the Hartmann’s Valley until we reach the Marble Campsite, a Community Camp with basic shower and toilet facilities. We will hopefully spot wildlife, such as zebra, giraffe, plenty oryx and springbok along the way. The routes are slow and scenery can therefore be enjoyed to its fullest.
O/N Marble Campsite (breakfast and dinner included).
DAY 6: PUROS (±80 KM)
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 might encounter them.
The river is lushly vegetated with Mopani Anna 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 Puros Community Camp, in the heart of the desert elephant country.
This is our last evening together. Walking around at night-time is a ‘no-no’ due to the presence of the elephants.
O/N Puros Campsite (breakfast and dinner included).
DAY 7: SESFONTEIN / PALMWAG
After one last breakfast together, our team bid you farewell to take the road back to Swakopmund. You will travel towards Sesfontein/Palmwag for re-fuelling, from there everybody will travel to their own destinations – Etosha Pan is nearby, or you can continue via the Caprivi to Botswana or merely travel via Kamanjab to Windhoek or optionally via Khorixas (Damaraland) back to Swakopmund.
(Breakfast included)
END OF TOUR
Dates
2024 Dates:
- 02 - 08 May 2024
- 16 - 22 July 2024
- 01 - 07 August 2024
Rates
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.
Included
- Breakfast and dinner (coffee/tea and fruit juices are supplied with meals)
- Experienced guides with own vehicle
- Two-way radios for vehicles
- Camping fees
- Concession fees and levies
- Recovery equipment and on-site recovery only
- “Communal” camping equipment; braai grid, cooking facilities & equipment, tables, etc.
- Wind shelter, communal camp shower and chemical toilet at campsite
- Additional vehicle to carry logistics
Excluded
- Transport & Fuel
- Lunch
- Snacks and drinks
- Camping gear
- Travel insurance and vehicle insurance
- Items of a personal nature
OPTIONAL SERVICES
Guideline of prices for optional accommodation:
Alte Brücke, Swakopmund: from R 850 per adult
Swakopmund Sands Hotel: from R 950 per adult
Strand Hotel, Swakopmund: from R 2 500 per adult
For more information or to book your accommodation, meals and / or cruise, please contact your Live the Journey consultant. We can also book other accommodation and excursions.
Reviews
Helmuth Luttig - 06 to 12 July 2023
"As if the Skeleton Coast in itself was not beautiful and exciting enough our guide and his team made it a once in a lifetime experience with their stories, local knowledge and super attitude. Everything was possible, no-one was ever rushed, nervous or left behind, and even us '4x4 beginners' felt like we could conquer the world as we left the dessert! "
Alice Thomson - 09 to 15 May 2022
“An amazing trip and lifetime memory!”
Kobus van der Walt - 20 to 26 March 2022
“Dit was regtig ʼn onvergeetlike trip. Ek was al so vier keer met LTJ op duine trips, maar hierdie was heel iets anders. Die diverse landskappe en terreine wat ons gesien en gery het, was ongelooflik en is iets wat ek verseker weer sal doen.”
Nico Kemp - 09 to 15 June 2021
“Alles was perfek. Ons het dit verskriklik geniet. Elke dag was n challenge. Great groep mense met ‘n baie sterk ondersteuning span. Nogmaals dankie aan almal wat die trip moontlik gemaak het.”
Reservations
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