The Adventure
The Skeleton Coast Traverse
Skeleton Coast - Kunene River - Hartman’s Valley – Green, Orange & Blue Drum Crossings - Puros - Hoarusib River - Palmwag Concession Area
11 nights / 12 day adventure
R 23 950.00 per person
Skeleton Coast Traverse
The Adventure
The infamous Skeleton Coast in the northwesternmost corner of Namibia might look barren, uninviting and even intimidating, yet this part of the world is home to a unique ecosystem, a rich history and unparalleled natural beauty.
Along with the Bhejane team you’ll experience the Skeleton Coast in a way that few people ever do and find out first-hand what makes this coastline such a fascinating place. Although we travel beyond where the road ends, this adventure is conducted in a safe and environmentally sensitive manner.
Highlights:
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Skeleton Coast National Park
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Skeleton Coast Concession Area
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Kunene River Mouth
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Skeleton Coast Dune Driving
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Hartman’s Valley
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Green, Red & Blue Drum Crossings
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Puros
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Hoarusib River
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Palmwag Concession Area
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Hoanib River Bush Camping
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Desert Elephants, Rhinos & Lions
The Team
Your tour leader is an experienced nature conservationist and adventure guide. He will be in radio contact with you at all times and impart a wealth of biological, cultural, historic and four-wheel drive knowledge.
Our experienced bush chef prepares three meals a day in his mobile kitchen. On the menu you’ll find fresh salads, potjiekos, braais and various other surprise meals making a guest appearance. As is our custom, the good old koffie pot will be on the fire from six till late.
Even though this self-drive adventure can get exciting at times and is certainly not a walk in the park, we will at all times practice safe off-road driving techniques. Should you encounter any difficulty, the Bhejane crew are equipped with the experience, know-how and recovery equipment to assist with off-road problems.
Some of our overnight stops will be rustic and in unusual locations, but you will none the less at all times be safe and sound. Our crew spares no effort to make you comfortable, provide you with good wholesome food and most importantly, ensure that you have an unforgettable adventure.
TOUR PRICING
- R 23 950.00 per person
- Children:
- aged 12- 18 pay 50% less
- aged 6-12 pay 60% less
- aged 5 and under for free
- 3 kids in a family only pay for 2
About the Skeleton coast Traverse
Adventure Itinerary
Day 1: St Nowhere Spa & Campsite
The tour group meets at St Nowhere Spa & Campsite in the afternoon where the Bhejane crew will be waiting with your tents already set up. Each vehicle must ensure that all final logistical details (filling of fuel tanks, Jerry cans and water containers, etc.) are done before meeting at the turn-off to St Nowhere. Making sure nothing is left to chance as we will be heading into the wilderness the following day. The evening is spent around the campfire meeting our fellow travelers and the crew. At dinner time we’ll discuss the route itinerary and what to expect on our first day on the road.
Day 2: St Nowhere Spa & Campsite to the Khumib River area
After early morning breakfast we leave St Nowhere Spa & Campsite and head north on the salt road. On the road today we’ll encounter barren landscapes which has been the site of diamond, mineral and guano mining operations for many decades. We also catch a glimpse of the infamous coastline that has claimed dosens of shipwrecks over many centuries.
We enter the Skeleton Coast National Park at the Ugab River entrance gate and soon after we stop for lunch along the road. We venture past Toscanini and on to Terrace Bay where we refuel our vehicles one last time. We carry on past Möwe Bay and cross over the Hoarusib River before pitching our camp for the evening in the area of the Khumib River.
Day 3, 4: Khumib River area to Kunene River mouth
A hearty breakfast is the perfect fuel to prepare us for today’s venture towards the Kunene River mouth. The journey involves pure beach driving past the Sarusas crystal mine, remnants of Strand Loper settlements, Angra Fria, huge salt pans and the famous Dunedin Star wreck site Shortly after we have pass Bosluis Bay we will reach the Kunene River mouth. The spectacular river mouth is home to expansive wetlands with over 72 different bird species, Nile crocodiles and even soft-shelled terrapins.
After a long day of driving we relax around the fire in the evening and discuss the challenge of how to relax the next day! On the schedule for the following day is another visit to the Kunene River mouth to experience it in different conditions followed by sundowners at a viewpoint in the dunes. Later we discuss the challenge of crossing the dunes into the Hartmann’s Valley the following day.
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Day 5: Kunene River mouth into the dunes
Today’s adventure is a full day of dune-driving in an easterly direction towards the Hartmann’s Valley. Our aim is to pitch our next camp as close to the thundering Kunene River as possible and naturally we’ll be taking the scenic route to get there. We aim to arrive in the early afternoon in order to have enough time for sightseeing as this is a truly glorious setting!
Day 6: Dunes Camp to Hartmann's Valley
After waking up in one of the most beautiful campsites you’ll ever experience, another day in the dunes await as we make our way to the wondrous Hartmanns Valley. We eventually exit the dunes and spend the night in the stunning valley. Around the campfire we share memories of the past few days as the rugged coastline is now behind us and the second part of our journey, southward through the interior of the Skeleton Coast, starts in earnest the following morning.
Day 7: Hartmann's Valley to Puros campsite
We make an early start and head south through the Hartmann’s Valley and along the eastern border of the Skeleton Coast National Park. Our next overnight stop is at Puros, a community campsite with donkey showers and lovely large shade trees on the banks of the Hoarusib River.
Today’s drive will vary from sandy riverbeds to rocky jeep tracks. We have a good chance at spotting wildlife including zebra, giraffe and possibly elephants along the way, as well as plenty of gemsbok and springbok. It is a long day, but we will travel slowly so we can make the most of photo opportunities along this scenic drive. We reach Puros in the late afternoon where camp has already been set up and the crew is getting dinner ready.
Day 8: Puros community campsite
After yesterday’s long day on the road, today is a relaxed day spent in and around camp. For those who are interested, a drive with the guide is on offer to go in search of elusive desert elephants in the riverbed of the Hoarusib River. We will also make use of the downtime to empty our jerry cans into our vehicles and to refill our water containers.
Day 9: Puros to Mudarib bush campsite via Sesfontein
We make an early start , driving to Sesfontein where we will refuel our vehicles and gerry cans for the last stage of our journey, we also have an opportunity to do some shopping at the cuca shops in Sesfontein, if you are running low on snacks and beverages. After our stop we leave Sesfontein behind and make lunch outside of town beside the road, 30 km outside of Sesfontein we enter the Ganamub riverbed trail which leads us to the Hoanib river trail. The afternoon is spent driving in the Hoanib River with lots of possibilities to spot elephant, giraffe and other animals. We reach our bush campsite in the late afternoon in the Mudarib River where our tents have already been setup and the coffee is ready on the fire.
Day 10: Mudarib River bush campsite
We get up early to maximize our chances of spotting rhino in the area. Black rhinos have been known to frequent this area and they are generally active during the evening and early morning. After our morning game drive we head back to camp for brunch.
In the late afternoon we drive back down to the Hoanib River and enjoy a sundowner at a viewpoint looking back towards the Skeleton Coast one last time before indulging in a sumptuous dinner prepared by our bush chef.
Day 12: Palmwag
After one last breakfast together our guide and crew bid you a fond farewell. You can refuel at Palmwag and from here the next destination your choice: The popular Etosha Pan is nearby, you can continue via the Caprivi to Botswana or simply travel via Kamanjab to Windhoek.
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Experience a blockbuster combination of sublime landscapes that will make you feel like you’re on another planet and some of the best wildlife viewing on the continent.