SKELETON COAST CAMP
Namibia

Skeleton Coast Camp

Namibia's Skeleton Coast is one of our planet's most beautiful places and is now host to one of our finest safaris. Over much of the past decade, access to this private area within the National Park has been restricted. However, in April 2000 we opened our 12~bedded, luxury tented camp and we can now offer superb 4 or 5 day fly~in safaris to this incredible area, with guaranteed departures every Wednesday and Saturday. Close on 300,000 hectares (660,000 acres) of the National Park has been set aside as an exclusive safari experience for those who want to really get away! It is wild, desolate and uninhabited ~ and stunningly beautiful. The Benguela Current brings cool, plankton and fish~rich waters all the way from Antarctica and moderates the temperatures in the region. Mean temperatures year round vary from a high of 28° C (82°F) to a low of 10°C (50°F). Summers are incredibly mild, even though we are in the desert! The cool ocean air meets the warm desert air and nearly every morning mists cover the coastline, bringing life~sustaining moisture to the desert's fauna and flora. This is a safari that will rival anything in Africa for those who enjoy the excitement of wild and remote places.

Camp Description

Skeleton Coast Camp is a 12~bedded camp. We have six luxury tented rooms on raised wooden decks with en-suite bathrooms providing flush toilet, hand basin and shower. The rooms are attractively furnished incorporating locally found natural materials and all rooms have overhead fans and 12v lighting. The main area incorporates a dining room, lounge and bar area surrounded by glass concertina doors to allow for uninterrupted views of the desert beyond. In fair weather we dine al fresco under an ancient leadwood tree, around the camp fire under the stars.

Game Viewing

This is not a pure game viewing safari. Freshwater springs permeate through the barren sands to create rare oases in the desert that sustain pockets of wildlife. Springbok, Gemsbok (Oryx), the rare desert Elephant, Cape Fur Seals, Brown Hyaena, Jackal, Ostrich and occasionally even Cheetah eke out an existence in this rugged terrain, alongside desert~adapted vegetation such as Welwitschia and Lithops, the succulant "flowering stones".

Our routine here is quite different from that of our other safari camps. There is an incredible amount to see and do. Breakfast is enjoyed in camp and then we head out all day into the Park. We take along a picnic lunch and only return at sunset. The days are full, rewarding and enriching. This area has everything…from soaring sand dunes that roar, wonderful, vast, pastel~coloured plains, towering canyons and mountains, salt~pans to seal colonies and shipwrecks. Add to that the game viewing! We are also able to visit authentic Himba settlements, just outside the park, for an incredible cultural experience.

Pricing

Please contact us for current rates:

Location

o The camp is located on the Khumib River within the private concession area of the Skeleton Coast Park.

Accommodation

Number of tents:
6 tents in total
This camp can accommodate 12 guests
Tent details:
o Tents are large luxury "Meru" style
o Tents have doors and wooden floors
o En-suite bathrooms with shower, wash basin and toilet inside the tent. Guests are requested to keep water usage to a minimum.
o Soaps, shampoos and insect repellents are supplied in each room.
o Each tent has a solar powered overhead fan

Camp description

This is a tented camp built up on wooden decks on an island in the Khumib River
o Central lounge, bar and dining area with views of the desert
o Outside eating area for fair weather under old leadwood tree
o Selection of assorted gifts and branded clothing available from Curio Cabinet
o Reference Library

Game viewing

Area mainly renowned for physical beauty and not for game viewing. The stark contrast between the harsh environment and the animals that inhabit it make this area spectacular. Possible wildlife one can see include: Oryx, Springbok, Giraffe, Ostrich, Cape Fur Seals, Brown Hyena, Jackals, Cape fox, Bat Eared Fox, Honey Badger and Genet as well as Cheetah and Desert Elephant. Many fascinating desert species of plants. Bird watching also good with many of the Namibian endemic species occurring in the area.

Activities

This safari is unlike any other of our safaris. The area is so vast and there is so much to see and experience that we abandon our traditional early morning and afternoon activities on a few of the days and instead a delicious pinic lunch is enjoyed out in the wild and we return to base camp in the late afternoon. We travel in 4x4 Land Rovers and cover an extraordinary variety of terrains.
Activities include the following:
o Some full day nature drives with walks.
o Some morning excursions with walks returning to the camp for lunch and then an afternoon activity
o Coastal ecology including a trip to the seal colony on the 4 day safari.
o Visit to a traditional working Himba village and tracking Desert Elephants, Desert adapted giraffe and Hartmans Mountain Zebra
o Walks in the Clay Castle Canyon/ Roaring Dunes/ Natural Springs/ Welwitchia Plains Lichen Fields as well as other areas of amazing geographical diversity.

Suggested Daily Activity Schedule

07h00 - Early morning breakfast.
08h00 - Depart camp with picnic lunch for a full day excursion
Winter/Summer
18h00/19h00 - Return to camp in the evening
19h00/20h00 - Dinner - local Namibian game dishes and fresh cape salmon caught by the guests cooked on an open fire.

Laundry policy

No laundry service is possible due to water shortage.

Extras payment

Imported drinks and tips/gratuities. Payment can be effected by cash (US$), travellers' cheques or the following credit cards: Visa or MasterCard.
If guests feel that they want to tip, our recommended tipping schedule is as follows:
US$5.00 per person per day
General Camp Staff - US$5.00 per person per day
(This is the suggested gratuity schedule only and is subject to service standards)

Flying times

To/from Swakopmund 2 hours 15 mins
Windhoek to Swakopmund 45 minutes
to Windhoek 2 hours 30 minutes

Air strip details

Located 1 minutes' drive from camp.
Soft sand strip
The biggest aircraft that can land is a Cessna 210 and a Caravan

Electricity

o Solar power for lighting and hot water
o 12v battery power (charged by solar power) is used for lighting in each guest tent.
o Video battery can be charged, but please bring lots of spare batteries as this facility is limited.

Guest Comments

"This was my 8th trip to Africa and this has been the most amazing country and area that I have ever visited, don't change anything, amazing contrasts and experiences"
G.H., Australia

"I have been to Africa on three occasions; Festus at the Skeleton Coast must rate as being one of the best guides in Southern Africa. His knowledge and passion is endless. He makes this unique area come alive and his sensitivity to the area is inspirational. It was a humbling experience to be in this most remote part of Namibia and a privilege to be able to share it with Festus and the team at Skeleton Coast Camp. Thank you for sharing your passion."
C.D., USA

"Skeleton Coast is an extremely special place and we feel privileged to have experienced it"
S. S., India

"An amazing few days spent in the most awesome wilderness - thanks to you"
A.B., UK

"What an amazing desertscape, the camp is stunning, we had no idea how luxurious the camp would be in the middle of nowhere! To experience such isolation and quietness is unique in this bustling world, what an exhilarating change from our normal environment, we shall hang onto those moments and treasure them!"
J.K., USA

"These have been by far the most diverse and unique "game drives" that I have had the privilege to be on."
S.P., France

"This is a vast wilderness were we enjoyed moments of minutiae euphoria"
S & J C., USA

"Thank you to a superb team for a wonderful stay. This trip was unique as well as this place! I really enjoyed Skeleton Coast and this Wilderness Camp"
J. I.., Austria

"This ends our trip to Africa. It has been our 8th safari trip; we have been overwhelmed by everything about Wilderness Safaris. Its Lodges, service, staff, managers and programs. Everything was excellent. We have nothing more to add, just Terrific!"
R. S., USA

"It is worrying as to how you can keep this wonderful wilderness pristine, you're doing a superb job, we felt so privileged to be here"
JH., UK

"The whole Skeleton Coast experience was one that will stay with me forever, not least the high level of professionalism of the camp staff and the superb organisation in every respect. It has been a most fantastic trip and we would have no hesitation in booking with you again. Thank you for a most remarkable experience"
B.S., UK

"We were thoroughly spoilt for the four days we were at Skeleton Coast Camp. Dee's personal touches and friendliness made us feel completely at home in this strange wilderness. The food was scrumptious; I don't know how she manages! The tents with all the African furnishings and details were lovely. Chris and Festus taught us so much about this environment their enthusiasm is contagious."
M.B., Italy

"The Skeleton Coast is a place for true Africa lovers - not first timers who are looking for the Big Five, it is for those who appreciate the extraordinary beauty and diversity of the desert. In this over-marketed and homogenised world, discerning travellers seek adventure, solitude and pristine beauty." If you answer to the description of "Africa connoisseur" Wilderness Safaris' Skeleton Coast Camp is the place to be." "Nothing can prepare you for the sheer beauty, desolation and silence of the Skeleton Coast. We learnt and experienced so much. We were shown the loneliest grave in the world, had sundowners and snacks on the normally windswept beach whilst watching ghost crabs scuttling between our feet and seals frolicking in the ocean. We had a picnic lunch and fine wine overlooking the Hoarusib River whilst watching a herd of 12 desert elephants going about their business. We visited the local Himba village and were shown the most gracious welcome as they went about their daily chores. We marvelled at the Clay Castles…… there is so much for one to experience here, we were so sad when we had to leave. Thank you for making our holiday such a momentous one".
T.A., UK

Please contact us for current rates: