Faces of the Skeleton Coast

DAY 1: SWAKOPMUND DIRECTION ROCKY POINT (±500 KM)

The rendezvous point is at 07:00 in Swakopmund. Ensure that your tank and jerry cans are full when you meet the guides and rest of the group. Communication radios will be installed in each vehicle to be ready for departure by 08:00.

We travel via Cape Cross to Terrace Bay, about 340 km from Swakopmund. Here we stop for a compulsory fuel top-up as this will be the last refueling option.

From Terrace Bay we travel to Möve Bay where the official road ends and we drive onto the beach (tide depending). We proceed a few kilometres north of Möve Bay where we will seek shelter near the beach and set up camp for the night.

O/N Wilderness camping (dinner included)

DAY 2: MÖVE BAY TO ANGRIA FRIA (±150 KM)

Today we will travel along the beach (tide depending) past the Hoarusib River mouth. En-route we will stop at the wreckage of the Ventura bomber involved in the rescue of the stranded passengers from the Dunedin Star which was a UK cargo liner. Captain Naude successfully landed the Ventura bomber on the soft dunes, even though there was a real danger that the plane could have cartwheeled. However, when they attempted to take off, one of its wheels became bogged in the sand and Captain Naude and his crew were castaways themselves. It took two weeks before they were rescued by a ground expedition which battled overland more than 1 000 km from Windhoek. We travel past Rocky Point, the Khumib and Hoanib River mouths and proceed all the way to Falls Angra Fria, where we will set up camp either on the beach (weather depending) or amongst some lava hills.

O/N Wilderness camping (breakfast and dinner included).

DAY 3: TOWARDS THE KUNENE RIVER MOUTH (±120 KM)

After breakfast we venture towards the Kunene mouth. This involves beach driving past the famous Dunedin Star wreck site and huge saltpans. The Dunedin Star was designed to ship frozen meat from Australia and New Zealand to the United Kingdom. This cargo liner is especially distinguished for its role during the Second World War when it assisted with relieving the siege of Malta in September 1941. At the end of November 1942, the Dunedin Star ran aground on the Skeleton Coast.

Once we have passed Bosluis Bay we will reach the Kunene River mouth with its famous wetlands inhabited by 72 different bird species, as well as the Nile crocodile (NO swimming!) and soft-shelled terrapins (turtles).

O/N Wilderness camping (breakfast and dinner included).

DAY 4: TOWARDS HARTMANN’S VALLEY (±65 KM)

Today will be dune-driving day in an easterly direction all the way to the Hartmann’s Valley. We will stay as close to the thundering Kunene River as possible, with beautiful, scenic spots along the way. Hartmann’s Valley is very arid, and the weather can vary dramatically. The region offers profound sense of wilderness, and the Kunene River nurtures a band of lush vegetation. They valley is home to the Himba, one of the last true nomads in Africa.

Tonight’s camp will be set up in the vicinity of the Kunene River.

O/N Wilderness camping (breakfast and dinner included).

DAY 6: PUROS (±80 KM)

We visit the marble quarry and then travel towards the Hoarusib River. Today will be a slow drive and elephants are on the ‘scenic menu’ as we might encounter them.

The river is lushly vegetated with Mopani Anna trees and large Makalani palm trees. The drive will vary from sandy riverbeds to rocky ‘twee spoor’ tracks and we will call today the ‘elephant day’.

The drive will take the whole day until we reach Puros Community Camp, in the heart of the desert elephant country.

This is our last evening together. Walking around at night-time is a ‘no-no’ due to the presence of the elephants.

O/N Puros Campsite (breakfast and dinner included).

DAY 5: MARBLE CAMPSITE (±120 KM)

We leave the Kunene and travel down the Hartmann’s Valley until we reach the Marble Campsite, a Community Camp with basic shower and toilet facilities. We will hopefully spot wildlife, such as zebra, giraffe, plenty oryx and springbok along the way. The routes are slow and scenery can therefore be enjoyed to its fullest.

O/N Marble Campsite (breakfast and dinner included).

DAY 7: SESFONTEIN / PALMWAG

After one last breakfast together, our team bid you farewell to take the road back to Swakopmund. You will travel towards Sesfontein/Palmwag for re-fuelling, from there everybody will travel to their own destinations – Etosha Pan is nearby, or you can continue via the Caprivi to Botswana or merely travel via Kamanjab to Windhoek or optionally via Khorixas (Damaraland) back to Swakopmund.

(Breakfast included)

END OF TOUR