Skeleton Coast National Park

I had somehow expected a bit more of the skeleton coast. It’s special but maybe not for a whole day of driving

Read about it so was excited to see it in reality. Interesting experience of a beautiful coastline displaying a shipwreck.

The Skeleton Coast Park is flat, stark, desolate, but has a fascination of its own.

Endless Scenic Skeleton Coas.

The Skeleton Coast National Park is probably one of the most scenic places in the world. (That is if you like deserts).
But, this one is exceptional.
Depending on the weather... this can be one of the most awesome photographic experiences you have ever had. Where else can you see a desert with massive sand dunes slipping into the endless deep blue ocean while the sun is setting over the ocean. The shadows cast by the dunes, eery early morning fog and late afternoon colours are such that you just don't know when to stop photographing the scenery in any direction.
This is a National Park and you cannot enter the area on your own without a permit.
Being a desert, here is not much wildlife. But you will see Gemsbok (Oryx) and probably some elephant on your way there.
There are some excellent tour operators in Namibia that can take you anywhere and also give you some interesting stories about the history of the area while you are driving.
The best way to see the area is by one of 3 ways.
1) Join a self drive tag along 4x4 safari tour operator. For this you would have to a rent a 4x4 vehicle. There are a few companies renting out very well equipped 4x4 vehicles in Namibia. For us this is the most exciting option. Or, if you have your own vehicle, it's even better. Just join the group.
2) Book with a safari operator that has larger 4x4 vehicles that can accommodate larger groups of people. Here you would be a passenger and don't have to do any driving yourself. Just enjoy the ride and scenery, use your camera and relax.
3) If time is a limiting factor, then you can fly over the desert. There are a few companies that would take you on either day trips or fly you between different lodges in the area.
With the first 2 options you have the choice of doing the camping thing or staying overnight in luxury lodges.
We ourselves like to go camping and then spend the last night in a luxury lodge, to spoil ourselves and get rid of all the dust and dirt.
Whichever option you choose, the Skeleton Coast is an experience you cannot afford not to do. It is stunning.
The Namibian people are very friendly. Most of the safari operators speak English, German and Afrikaans. (Afrikaans is very similar to Flemish).
Go an enjoy it!

Strange and remote area, truly wild. Not much to see however unless you fly into the expensive wilderness camp.

Good wildlife, amazing scenery, good accommodations, nice people, good food

A dramatic place where you feel alone in the world.

Good scenery , a lot of tourists though which is a pity.

Thousands of Cape Fur seals, beautiful coastline and completely deserted

Truly unique destination that can only be considered, 'mars-like'

Our trip originated out of swakupmond with a brief visit to Walvis Bay to enjoy the dolphin and oyster cruise (highly recommend if you like oysters and champagne.) We climbed the dunes on foot which was shortly followed by a trip on ATVs. Both exciting in their own right as I've never experienced dunes of that size and that expansive.

We headed north from swakupmond to drive up the skeleton coast on our way to Etosha. We stopped by the Cape Cross seal colony, which was amazing. Definitely make this stop.

One note, this is definitely a trip where the site really is that there isn't much to see. It's so barren a landscape that you're amazed that people live near or around this area. You feel like you're on another planet. As such, make sure you have the right car and spare tires. Set the pressure in your tires correctly. Bring water and food as well; just in case.

Our whole trip was a self-drive and organized by a 3rd party agency.