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Skeleton Coast Fly-In Safari:
Namibia Lodge Safaris
5
Days / 4 Nights
Please
contact us for advice & information on this safari
Route
Highlights:
Windhoek – Skeleton Coast National Park - Windhoek
The
scenic flight from Windhoek to one of the most inhospitable and
desolate, but hauntingly beautiful places in Namibia is an awesome
experience in itself. Life on the Skeleton Coast is an ongoing
struggle for survival, a coast of mammal skeletons, shipwreck sites,
roaring dunes, windswept plains, seal colonies and wild desolation.
Tour
Information:
Duration:
5 Days & 4 Nights
Departure Days:
Saturdays
Departure Location:
Windhoek - Namibia
Tour Ends:
Windhoek - Namibia
Transport:
Light fixed wing aircraft
ITINERARY:
Day 1 - Saturday
The flight from Windhoek (2 ½ hrs) to Skeleton Coast Camp takes
you northwest over the interior plateau of Namibia. We fly over the
striking geological features of Damaraland, over craters of long-dead
volcanoes and meteorite impact sites meeting the coastline at the
Hoarusib River mouth. From there we do some low level flying along the
coast as far as Rocky Point, viewing the coastal plains and dunes from
the air.
Arrive in time for lunch and settle into camp on the Khumib River. An
afternoon introduction to the desert environs of the region includes a
drive through dry riverbeds, gravel plains, natural springs and dunes,
concluding with sundowners on the rugged coast near the loneliest
grave in the world!
Day 2 - Sunday & Day 3 - Monday & Day 4 - Tuesday
After breakfast, we depart on the selected excursion for the day
taking in the highlights of this harsh environment. Activities are
usually full day nature drives with a picnic lunch, returning to camp
in the evening. The areas we traverse are vast and excursions vary
somewhat depending on weather, season, animal movements etc. Areas you
may visit include the clay castles of the Hoarusib River, Rocky Point,
seal colonies, cultural Himba villages, natural fresh water springs,
lichen fields, roaring dunes and more. Your guide also provides an
in-depth look at the specially adapted reptiles, birds, insects and
plants that have evolved over the ages to survive in this seemingly
inhospitable place.
Return to camp at sunset for dinner.
Day 5 - Wednesday
On the morning of departure guests may either spend their time at
leisure in and around camp, or go on a regular early morning activity
returning with ample time to pack and have lunch.
After lunch, depart for Windhoek by light aircraft, flying over the
interior of Namibia. Arrival is in Windhoek late afternoon.
END OF SERVICES
TOUR INFORMATION:
Special interests and weather conditions
Each group may have different interests, i.e. photography, botany,
ornithology etc. The above itinerary will be flexible enough to
accommodate this, and to allow the guides to concentrate on the
interests of their guests.
Activities are influenced by weather conditions, and we will endeavour
to arrange an itinerary, which maximizes optimum weather conditions in
each area.
The Area
This camp is built in a sheltered bend on the dry Khumib River,
within the private concession of the Skeleton Coast National Park. The
concession stretches from south of the Hoarusib River to Cape Fria in
the north and covers the width of the National Park. This National
Park was Diamond district No. 3 before being proclaimed. Due to
restricted access very few people have visited this enchantingly
desolate and windswept piece of paradise.
The cold Benguela current sweeping up from Antarctic allows little
moisture to be picked up from it by the prevailingly onshore winds,
hence the very low rainfall and the desert conditions. This cold
current is also highly oxygenated, nutrient rich resulting in a
plankton and krill heaven that forms the basis of the food chain for
the teeming marine life along this coast.
Accommodation
The camp has 6 tents with doors, as opposed to the old style zips.
Each tent is stylishly appointed with en suite facilities; the
interiors are in keeping with the environment and the ' shipwrecked '
feel of this coastline. Each tent is on decking off the ground and has
a veranda area with private view. The main area consists of a
comfortable, stylish lounge and bar with a small library and dining
area should the elements cause retreat from the open air dining area
under an aged Leadwood Tree (Combretum imberbe). The tents all have
12V power for lighting and solar geysers for hot water.
Activities & Wildlife
Because of the uniqueness and vastness of this area, most
activities are done in 4x4 vehicles that are closed to the elements.
All vehicles have pop-top roofs and sliding windows to enjoy the fine
weather. There is however plenty of opportunity to walk and stretch
the legs too.
Activities include usually full day nature drives with a picnic lunch,
returning to camp in the evening, and only sometimes include half day
nature drives returning to camp for lunch and venturing out again in
the afternoon. Excursions may include visits to the clay castles of
the Hoarusib River, Rocky Point, the roaring dunes, lichen fields,
seal colonies, Himba villages, shipwreck sites and secret water seeps
that attract game like Oryx, Springbok, Giraffe, Ostrich, Brown Hyena,
Jackal and other smaller mammals.
Access
This area can only be accessed by air and there will be bi-weekly
departures from Windhoek on a 4 day (departs Wednesday) or 5 day
safari (departs Saturday).
Please note
Due to the shortage of water at the Skeleton Coast, laundry
facilities are NOT available. Please make sure that all guests have
enough clothes to last them for the duration of their trip to the
Skeleton Coast.
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