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8-Day Skeleton Coast Expedition Safari

8-Day Skeleton Coast Expedition Safari

Departures:

Any day of the week.

Price:

Available on request

Includes:

Professional Tour leader
Guide vehicle(s), recovery gear, medical aid kits, satellite phone communication Communal camp equipment (kitchen, field toilet & shower, etc)
2 meals per day (breakfast & dinner)
2-way radio sets
All Park & Concessions fees
Community fees and development fund contributions.

Excludes:

International flights
Insurance for lost luggage, cancellation, medical repatriation, visas…
Extra activities not displaying in this itinerary or marked by the symbol “Not Incl.”
Drinks, tips, curios etc…

Vehicle, Equipment & Other Requirements:

4x4 Vehicle:

You must be able to cover ±900kms from Terrace Bay to Sesfontein as there are no fuel stops in
Low range is required for most vehicle types (please discuss with us if you do not have low range)
Vehicles must be mechanically sound and MUST have recovery points at the front and back of the A tow hitch is not a recovery point.
Tyre pressure gauge, pump and tyre repair
Ensure that you have the correct wheel spanner and a working
A 2^nd spare tyre is

Water

Every vehicle must carry 20 litres for communal use in the
In additional you need to carry your own shower / washing water of ±40l. You will be able to refill your shower water at the Kunene

Camping Equipment

Tents should be waterproof due to the fog close to the
Rooftop tents are also
Cutlery, camp chairs
Torch, spare batteries
The climate next to the coastline can be very cold, even in Please ensure you have a decent warm jacket, scarf and/or warm hat.

Food & Beverages (other than stated)

You are responsible for your own lunches, snacks, and drinks.

Items of a personal nature

Medicine
Camera, binoculars, etc

Comprehensive Travel and Medical Insurance

Itinerary Details

Day 1: Mowe Bay Area

Leaving Swakopmund early morning we head north towards the entrance of the Skeleton Coast National Park. A quick stop at Uniab river mouth will give us the opportunity to spot some of the many bird species to be found in the park. After lunch we continue north passing through the Hoanib river until we reach Terrace Bay, which will be our last fuel stop for the next week or so.

We overnight in the area north of Mowe Bay where we will experience the first hint of the mysteries and dramas that will be told and seen over the next few days. This area is known for its unique blend of desert and ocean landscapes, abundant wildlife including desert elephants, lions, and marine life, and its distinctive beaches scattered with polished, semi-precious stones.

Day 2: Sarusas Spring Area

After breakfast we continue north. Many interesting stops will be made along the way, especially at the engine and remains of the Ventura Bomber that crashed after a failed rescue attempt in 1942. Entering the Hoarusib river we might come across herds of Oryx and Springbok. This river is also famous for Desert Adapted Elephants, Brown Hyenas and the very rare Desert Lions. After exploring the Hoarusib river we continue towards Khumib River and Sarusas Spring. We overnight close to Sarusas Spring.

During the late ’50s and ’60s permission was granted to private companies, including one called Sarusas Mining Corporation, for mining and fishing rights on the Skeleton Coast. During the late 1960s, they assembled a project team to build a brand-new harbour at Cape Frio.

Day 3: Agate Mountain Area

Leaving the beautiful Khumib Valley we continue north. Today’s drive will take us through the most colourful landscapes in the park. The area is extremely sensitive, and we take well care of not leaving footprints behind. We stop at the Sarusa mine which is no longer operational, however one can still see many quarts and amethyst crystals scattered everywhere. Not far from here we stop at Sarusa spring, which is an important water point for Oryx, Springbok, Brown Hyena, Ostrich and at times even Lion. After stopping at Agate Mountain, we set up camp for the night.

Some areas of interest are the clay castles of the Hoarisib, the Agate Mountain salt pans, and the large seal colony at Cape Fria.

Day 4: Bosluisbaai Area

Today is mostly beach driving. We pass Angra Fria; destined to become a harbour during the 1960’s they decided that the area was just too uninhabitable. Further north we reach the remains of the Dunedin Star and one of the shelters that the survivors erected to safeguard them from the harsh elements. Not much of the wreckage is visible but listening to the rescue mission will make one understand why this is called the “Skeleton Coast”.

We’ll reach the Kunene mouth around lunch. The Kunene originates in the Angola Highlands and paths her way through desert and mountains where it forms a delta in the Atlantic Ocean. The river hosts plenty of freshwater fish, Nile Crocodiles, Green Turtles and Soft-Shell Turtles. After Exploring the mouth, we head to our camp situated in the dunes close to Bosluisbaai. This area is known for its fishing, where anglers can catch species like Dusky Cob, Steenbras, and Spotted Grunter

Day 5: Bosluisbaai Area

This is our day of leisure, no need to pack up as we will be staying at the camp for another night! After a late breakfast we explore the area around the Kunene Mouth. Hiking, photography, birding or dune driving, you choose how you want to spend the day. And don’t forget, just relaxing in the comforts of the camp is perfectly ok. Just before sunset we head to a magical sundowner spot for a once in a lifetime sunset view.

Day 6: Hartmann Valley Area

Today is our last day in the park. We continue east.

The day is mostly spent manouvering our way through spectacular desert scenery. There will be plenty of stops as the guides read the changing dunes and what lies behind them. Herds of Oryx are a common sight in the dunes as they make their way down to the river. We settle for the night in the Hartmann Valley.

Hartmann’s Valley itself is very arid, though its weather can vary dramatically. As well as searing heat, the valley receives sea mists, which creep up from the coast, making it an eerie place to visit. Stunningly remote, the Hartmann Valley is a desolate yet entrancing moonscape of sand and rock. Located in the extreme northwest of Namibia, the region offers a profound sense of wilderness and unusual combination of habitats, as the Kunene River nurtures a band of lush vegetation amidst one of the driest deserts on earth, while sea mists creep in from the coast.

The valley is also home to the Himba, one of the last true nomads in Africa.

Day 7: Puros

Staying off the beaten track we head south to the Hoarusib River. Once again, we enter the territory of the Desert Elephants, lions, cheetah, leopard and Hyena. Passing Hoarusib Canyon we reach the small town of Puros where we will overnight at the community campsite. (Enquire about an upgrade to the Bush Lodge).

The landscape here is a mix of hills, plains, wooded river valleys and spectacular dunes and has the Khumib and Hoarusib rivers.

Day 8: Sesfontein

We accompany our guests to Sesfontein where they will be able to refuel their vehicles and stock up on some basic items at the local market.

Gallery

Programme Overview

Day	Location	Accommodation	Food
Day 1	Mowe Bay Area	Camping	D
Day 2	Sarusas Spring Area	Camping	HB+
Day 3	Agate Mountain Area	Camping	HB+
Day 4	Bosluisbaai Area	Hotel	HB+
Day 5	Bosluisbaai Area	Camping	HB+
Day 6	Hartmann Valley Area	Camping	HB+
Day 7	Puros	Camping	HB+
Day 8	Sesfontein	–	B

B – Breakfast
L – Lunch
D – Dinner
SC – Self Catering
FB – Full Board (All meals)
FB+ – Full Board Plus (All meals & Activities)
HB – Half Board (Breakfast & Dinner)
HB+ – Half Board Plus (Dinner, Breakfast & Activities)