Contrary to what the name might suggest, the Skeleton Coast is actually a long strip of coastline named for the shipwrecks that line its deserted white beaches, which often enveloped in an atmospheric fog (the reason so many ships have come aground over the years).
This hauntingly beautiful place is a memorable place to visit – mostly for its otherworldly atmosphere and stark scenery. In addition to the hardy wildlife found here, unique plantlife and insects have adapted life in this unforgiving climate, using the thick fog to sustain themselves.
Further inland, between the Skeleton Coast and Etosha National Park is the arid Damaraland region. Known for its dramatic mountain ranges and semi-desert terrain, a visit to Damaraland will offer not only potential sightings of the elusive desert elephant and black rhino, but also the chance to see some of the world’s oldest rock art sites, as well as the Petrified Forest – a collection of enormous fossilized tree trunks in an old river channel.
Other geological features – a highlight of the Skeleton Coast and Damaraland areas – include the Organ Pipes (a collection of dolerite pillars that have been exposed by erosions), Burnt Mountain (a blackened flat-topped mountain), and Vingerklip (a 35m limestone pillar which is all that remains of a plateau that has eroded over millions of years).
For every new booking made in 2023, Safari365 will contribute to the further education of one African student enrolled in Umuzi’s digital skills upliftment program.
