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Namibia> Places to visit in Namibia |
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The Skeleton Coast Park in Namibia stretches from the Kunene River in the north for approximately 500km to the Ugab River in the south. The landscape includes sand dunes, canyons and mountain ranges all of which are synonymous with Namibia. The climatic conditions are not necessarily what you would expect in a desert country like Namibia, due to dense fog and cold sea breezes, this is caused by the cold Benguela Current which flows offshore meeting with the extreme heat of the Namib Desert. The Skeleton Coast is normally associated with its famous shipwrecks and stories abound of sailors walking for hundreds of kilometers through this barren Namibian landscape in search of food and water. For the best views of these shipwrecks you would need to visit the Skeleton Coast Park either on one of the fly-in safaris to the Skeleton Coast or alternatively do a Skeleton Coast scenic flight from Swakopmund. |
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Springbok, oryx, ostrich, hyaena and ostrich are fairly common, while Namibia's famous Desert Elephant, black rhino, lion and giraffe are found in the dry river beds which flow from the interior of Namibia, through the Namib Desert to the Skeleton Coast.
The fishing along the Skeleton Coast is spectacular and during the December vacations the campsite at Torra Bay is packed with fisherman. For those seeking more comfort Terrace Bay has bungalows but these are booked up far in advance, particularly during the Namibian summer holidays as this is the president of Namibia's favourite holiday spot.
Day visitors to the Skeleton Coast Park are only allowed in the park between sunrise and sunset, and permits are available at the two entry gates (the Ugab River in the south and Springbokwasser in the east). The ecologically sensitive area north of Terrace Bay is inaccessible to the general public and entrance to this area is restricted to a few operators who operate fly-in safaris around Namibia. A safari to this region would certainly be the highlight of any Namibian expedition.
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For day visitors to the Skeleton Coast Park accommodation is available outside of the park south of the Ugab River at mile 108 and mile 72, but these camps are very bleak and we recommend you push on to either Henties Bay or Swakopmund. A newer alternative offering good accommodation on this stretch of the coast is the Cape Cross Lodge. On your drive pay a visit to the Cape Cross Seal Colony which is defiantly the smelliest place in Namibia. For visitors leaving the park through Springbokwasser there is plenty of accommodation in Damaraland.