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Introduction to Skeleton Coast National Park
Skeleton Coast National Park in Namibia runs along the countries northwest coastline and is characterized by extreme contrasts between landscapes.
The hauntingly beautiful terrain of dunes and crashing Atlantic waves dotted with the remains of shipwrecks known as the end of the Earth have been drawing adventurers for centuries.
Skeleton Coast provides a unique experience for travelers in search of an undiscovered location filled with natural splendor and mystique.
The Skeleton Coast National Park reveals the wonders of nature, from its barren shores to the surprising life within. Now, lets find out all the secrets of this mysterious destination.
Skeleton Coast: Some of the Wildest Land Which touches the Sea
Skeleton Coast National Park: Skeleton Coast gets its name from the dozens of shipwrecks littering the shoreline, sailors lost to the treacherous Atlantic waters and dense coastal fog.
The park’s forbidding but absolutely fascinating atmosphere comes from these historical `skeletons’ along with the whale bones sun-bleached and strewn about on the sand.
He added the park which covers more than 16,000 square kilometres, runs from the Ugab River to south to the Kunene River on the Angolan border.
The landscapes are extremely diverse, featuring everything from enormous dunes and rocky canyons to ocean cliffs and salt pans.
A place where the elements reign, and the harsh beauty of nature is on blast.
A Landscape of Surreal Beauty
Skeleton Coast National Park: From the air, at least, the Skeleton Coast looks desolate but zoom in closer and there is a plethora of life.
The combing of the natural dry desert with a cold aqua current, creating an environment in which species exist even when such habitats seem impossible.
The wind-carved dunes ripple outwards like golden ocean waves. These massive sand sculptures offer an awe-inspiring site to photographers, particularly at sunrise and sunset when shadows are accentuated by the light.
Past the sand dunes are the rocky outcrops and canyons etched by seasonal rivers over a million years.
From the Atlantic rolls a constant shroud of mist that lends an air of mystery to the starkness of these formations.
Even the coastline is a picturesque discord of contrasts. The roar of waves crashing upon blackened rock, thrumming right into the desolation.
The beaches are carpeted with worn out driftwood as well as rusty ship wrecks, frozen in time at the hands of mother nature.
Shipwrecks: The Haunting Reminders of Human Misadventure at Sea
The skeleton coast is also known as a graveyard of ships. Many vessels have met their doom here over the centuries, caught in heavy fog, tumultuous seas and unyielding currents. These shipwrecks become silent watchers, however, they know signs of the doom faced by sailors.
Among the more notable wrecks is the Eduard Bohlen, a German cargo ship partially beached in sand, and the Dunedin Star, whose crew and passengers were marooned on an inhospitable coast.
Walking among these skeletal remains is like browsing through a history book of the sea, each rusted bolt and sun-bleached plank narrating the saga of mankind’s tenacity confronted by nature’s supremacy.
The Unexpected Proliferation of Fauna
Skeleton Coast National Park: Though this national park is harsh land, urban wildlife still ads a bit of diversity to Skeleton Coast National Park.
Thousands upon thousands of Cape fur seals sunbath on the beaches. They are thus hunted by jackals– and the secretive brown hyena that prowls around here.
In the interior, dunes and gravel plains are home to desert-dwelling elephants, lions and oryx.
These animals are adapted so well to these dry conditions, their existence depends on limited plant life and sudden fresh water springs.
Bird lovers have the chance to experience populations of flamingos, pelicans and the endemic Damara tern which call the wetland regions in the park home.
A paradox of rich biodiversity hidden behind a seemingly barren landscape, the contrast is yet another character in this tale of persistence in the face of adversity.
A Haven for Adventure Seekers
Skeleton Coast National Park: Skeleton Coast National Park is not one of those tourist destinations that everyone visits the remote wilderness and rugged wilderness.
Make it the perfect playground for adventure seekers looking to escape to a land of wild beauty.
A nature coach can take you on a guided tour of the parks most famous landmarks, while educating you about the park’s fascinating geology and ecology.
If you prefer a little more luxury in the wild, there are also some very exclusive lodges inside the park.
Offering a base for exploring the region, these sustainable lodges are so low-impact that they are ideally suited to such a fragile environment.
Many tourists opt for helicopter rides or fly-in safaris that provide spectacular aerial views of the coast’s limitless sand dunes dotted with shipwrecks.
Cultural Insight: The Himba Tribe
Skeleton Coast National Park: Apart from the natural marvels, Skeleton Coast is a cultural gem too. The Himba are semi-nomadic pastoralists that live in the area and provide a unique insight into life in harmony with the land.
The Himba, recognizable by their ochre skin and elaborate hairdos, have retained their culture despite the encroachment of modernity.
A stop at a Himba village can allow you to understand their traditions like herding cattle and the meaning of jewelry and what they wear.
It humanizes the austere beauty of the Skeleton Coast with a dose of humility.
When To Go and What To Expect
The dry season (from May through October) is the most suitable time to visit Skeleton Coast National Park. This is the cooler weather season, where wildlife are more active.
The coastal fog, a hallmark of the region, can occur at any time of year providing that special ambiance while on your adventure.
With the park miles from the nearest civilization, preparation is half of an enjoyable experience.
Visitors will need to wear good shoes, bring layers for the rapidly changing temperatures, and pack a decent camera to capture the park’s unique vistas.
Take advantage of guided tours, because they will take you through some restricted areas, and teach you so much about the park history and ecology.
An Unforgettable Journey of Skeleton Coast National Park
Skeleton Coast National Park: However, Skeleton Coast National Park is easily the sort of place you’ll remember long after you’re past its rugged shores.
The stark beauty of the icy wilderness and its seemingly lifeless expanses, combined with the occasional hints of life that punctuate the landscape, have struck wonder in far fewer locations on Earth.
For American adventurers looking to stray from the beaten path, a visit to Skeleton Coast is a trip back in time.
Whether it is her ghostly shipwrecks with wild shores littered with plastic, the untamed wildlife, or just the sheer vastness of the place that beckons; in this remote corner of Namibia even uncorrected photos reveal an adventure off course.
