Namibia

Skeleton Coast

The shipwrecks that litter the beaches north of Swakopmund and all the way to the Angolan border have given this stretch of Namibia’s coast its striking name. The Skeleton Coast is a remote and desolate area but also one of hidden surprises. Among them are the gigantic seal colony at Cape Cross, the 250 bird species, the desert-adapted elephants and rhinos, and sweeping vistas of desert, ocean and sky.

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Depart from your lodge, led by your all-knowing guide, to see for yourself why it’s called the Skeleton Coast. Drive along the craggy coastline where the remains of boats tell the story of seafarers who lost their battle with the ocean and the bleached skeletons of whales stand eerily among them. Hear the legends and truths of these shipwrecks from your guide and stop to capture the most photographed wrecks in Namibia. 

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Reasons to visit Skeleton Coast

  • The colony of 100 000 Cape fur seals at Cape Cross
  • Fascinating shipwrecks
  • Desert-adapted elephant and rhino

Scintilla’s Delights

Treat yourself to the best experiences Namibia has to offer.

Desert Adapted Elephant on Drive from Doro !Nawas (1)
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Track the rare desert adapted elephants of Damaraland

Damaraland is a starkly beautiful place of mountains and red-rocked desert vistas. It’s in this arid environment that the elephant has learned to thrive with as little as 100mm of rain each year. Join your expert guide on a 4×4 drive into the desert to track these incredible animals as they trek along the parched riverbeds between scarce water sources and feeding grounds.

Namib Desert Scenic Flight
Namib Desert Scenic Flight

Enjoy an aerial view of the world’s oldest arid landscape.

A horseback desert safari
A horseback desert safari

As you embark on this unique riding experience, you soon realise that you are at one with the desert.

Soar over the Sossusvlei Desert – a scenic helicopter flight
Soar over the Sossusvlei Desert – a scenic helicopter flight

The ultimate way to capture the beauty of the surrounds is with a scenic helicopter flight over the breathtakingly vast expanse of the desert.

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Where to stay in Skeleton Coast

Skeleton Coast has some world-class accommodation options. 

Shipwreck Lodge
Shipwreck Lodge

Other destinations in Namibia

A trip to Namibia will stay with you long after you leave, with visitors often dreaming of their favourite places they discovered. These are our best of the best.

Swakopmund

Etosha National Park

Sossusvlei & Namib Desert

Kaokoland

Damaraland

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Guest Testimonials

Discover why our guests select Scintilla for their travel to Southern Africa.

Cuan, everything going to plan so far with stunning weather and excellent service and amazing wildlife in Etosha!! Thanks again for your professionalism. Everything has been magical, and we have definitely brought some luck with us being the first group to find the elephants only after 10 minutes of looking !! Really appreciate your help, and I will be recommending you to our friends back home.

Tom Last, AU

My week in Namibia was sensational and went seamlessly. From the welcoming pickup from the airport to the beautiful accommodations and fascinating road-trip across much of the country, I thoroughly enjoyed the experience. Of particular note, the food at Hoodia Desert Lodge was impeccable and the al fresco lunch prepared by the guide after the visit to Deadvlei and Sossusvlei was simply magical. The sundowners at both Hoodia and Onduli Ridge were top-notch, each offering breathtaking views and fabulous Namibian gin cocktails and bites. What made the entire journey so easily enjoyable was the daily itineraries and maps presented to me upon arrival and the overall organization and attention to detail. My solo sojourn was truly flawless, and I will recommend it widely!

Sarah Scott, ZA

Hi Cuan.  Just wanted you to know we have had an amazing time in Namibia!  What an experience!  Yesterday we stopped off at a bar in a very remote village after tracking elephants and had beers and danced with the locals which was fantastic.  Between the orphanage, stops in many villages, the kids we’ve gotten to meet, the Himba village and of course all the animals it has just been incredible.  You organized quite a trip for us!  And now, Botswana!!!

The Soloman Family, USA

Well, we finished up Cape Town this evening, heading to safari tomorrow. We loved the country tour and winery tour, absolutely amazing. Also, our guide for both days, was one of the best we have ever had. We couldn’t imagine a better time and she couldn’t be more flexible. Thank you for setting up this first part of the vacation and setting us up with the tours.

Cory & Heather, USA

The most important thing for me to tell you is that we had a fabulous time with James exploring the Peninsula of Cape Town! Along with our visit to the Zeitz Museum, our day with James was a highlight of the time we spent in South Africa. He was friendly and open about discussing his experiences growing up with apartheid which I really appreciated. I enjoyed the towns we visited, the restaurant where we had lunch, our visit with the penguins, and our hike out to the shipwreck. Thank you!!

Emma & Lori, USA

Please convey my thanks to the Cape Town guiding teams! Without a doubt our most memorable moment of the trip was our visit to the Cape Peninsula with our guide, Chizzy. A major positive, thrilling time. The penguins, picnic and swim at the reservoir, continual birthday celebrations for Jack’s 18th Birthday were all home runs.

Suzanne, Jack & Family, USA

The trip was FANTASTIC, and our guide Marcus was absolutely superb! We took all of his recommendations for our last free day in the city and can’t thank him enough for the stellar suggestions.

Thomas & Mary Louise, Canada

Our guide Charlene was out of this world. She was charming, intelligent, and fun and she showed us the best of Cape Town while also educating us on the journey Cape Town has taken from Apartheid through today. We were fascinated, engaged, and overjoyed to spend our final days in Africa with her. She is truly outstanding.

Paul & Wendy, UK

It was great! Everything worked out perfectly! We absolutely loved the Sidecar experience – wow, was that fun! We loved our guide in Cape Town, Josh, he was the BEST! He was so fun. We took him for dinners and played golf with him! We just thought Cape Town was fantastic. Wine Country was great. Fantastic.

Joseph, Marsha & Family, USA

On Saturday, we met our guide, Charlene, who was OUTSTANDING. We had missed the Zeitz Museum, and she was happy to let us rearrange our schedule so that we could tour it as well as taking me to a beautiful craft market to buy gifts.  On arriving in the wine country, we enjoyed an amazing lunch at La Motte.  With Charlene's background in wines, she was able to recommend the best wineries to visit on the winetram, as well as several good restaurants in the area.

William & Constance, USA

Cape Town was so scenic and beautiful.  Had an interesting visit around town and to the houses of parliament with a very accommodating guide James.  James made that whole experience everything it was and deserves a lot of credit. What a great place to visit!  What phenomenal food!  What masters of hospitality they all are in Africa!

Jeffery & Barbara, Canada
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