Skeleton Coast National Park

The Skeleton Coast stretches across 16,900 km² of the Namib Desert, running from the Ugab River in the south to the Kunene River and the Angolan border in the north. This dramatic, narrow strip of desert extends no more than 40 km inland. The area north of the Hanib River remains closed to the public due to mining operations.

Though the landscape resembles a barren moonscape, it supports a surprising amount of life. Its lifeline is the thick fog that drifts in daily from the Atlantic Ocean, providing just enough moisture for a range of desert-adapted species. Along the riverbeds, visitors may spot antelope, giraffe, zebra, and even desert elephants.

In clear contrast to the harsh northern reaches, the southern section features the Uniab River mouth, which creates a freshwater oasis that attracts a wide variety of birdlife.