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Major city · Namibia

Skeleton Coast National Park

Spend 2 days to see the main sights; longer only with a guide for remote sections.

Skeleton Coast National Park stretches ~500 km of desert coastline with shipwrecks, fog‑laden beaches and sparse wildlife; most attractions are reachable in a 2‑day self‑drive from Terrace Bay, while the far north requires a certified guide and a higher budget.

basic guide: no trip line yet
More
3 pages, for the metro and roaming-off days
Map
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More ways in
Print / PDF guide
Local time, weather, currency, airports
Weather
see forecast
Currency
NAD
Best months
May–Sep
avoid Jan–Mar (rainy, foggy)
Airport
Walvis Bay (SWP)
Nights
2

Not a trip line yet

This is a basic guide for Skeleton Coast National Park: no airport-to-bed path, walking clusters or day plans yet. Fares and schedules here are unverified. What this page does cover
Rules in force · 7Nine African countries on this site have no trip line bec…Across the subregion, plan every road leg to arrive befor…
  • Africa ↗When a route touches a yellow-fever country — even a transit of 12 hours or more — keep the original yellow card (ICVP) in your hand luggage; health desks and airlines can refuse boarding or entry without it.
  • Africa ↗Nine African countries on this site have no trip line because governments advise against travel; several others have no-go regions. Read your government's advice for every country on the route before paying deposits.
  • Southern Africa ↗A rental car may leave its home country only with the rental company's cross-border letter, the registration papers and paid road taxes at each post; driving into Zambia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique or Angola without them ends at the border.
  • Southern Africa ↗Across the subregion, plan every road leg to arrive before sunset: livestock, wildlife, pedestrians and unlit trucks make night driving the main cause of serious visitor accidents.
  • Namibia ↗Check visa and entry rules for your passport on official Namibian government sources before booking: since 1 April 2025 citizens of 33 countries, including the US, UK, most of the EU, Canada and Australia, need a visa on arrival or an e-visa.
  • Namibia ↗Taking a rental car into Botswana, South Africa, Zambia or Zimbabwe needs written permission from the rental company and the right papers; ask when you book.
  • Namibia ↗Etosha gates open at sunrise and close at sunset: you must be inside a camp or out of the park by closing time.

Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide

Checking your follows…
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾

Not in this guide yet

  • Walking areas with bag rules
  • Day plans checked against opening hours
  • Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
  • Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Skeleton Coast National Parkopen ▾
  • Ambulance and rescue (private, varies by town)check — E-Med Rescue 24 or your lodge's number

Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.

EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost

Essentials

Quick answers and what things cost

Quick answers

The questions people ask first about Skeleton Coast National Park, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.

Show all 12 answers
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works

Decide

What it is known for, and when the weather works

At a glance

What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.

Shipwrecks and coastal fogLichen fields and clay castlesDesert‑adapted elephants and birdlifeTerrace Bay fishing base
Airports
SWP Walvis Bay Airport

Map of Skeleton Coast National Park

Where it is, and the guides within about 120 km.

Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors

  • Skeleton Coast National Park

Directions in Google Maps · Apple Maps

Best months at a glance

From the guide's best and avoid lists

  1. Jan

    Avoid

    25°C (77°F)

  2. Feb

    Avoid

    26°C (79°F)

  3. Mar

    Avoid

    27°C (81°F)

  4. Apr

    not flagged

    28°C (82°F)

  5. May

    Best

    29°C (84°F)

  6. Jun

    Best

    30°C (86°F)

  7. Jul

    Best

    31°C (88°F)

  8. Aug

    Best

    31°C (88°F)

  9. Sep

    Best

    30°C (86°F)

  10. Oct

    not flagged

    29°C (84°F)

  11. Nov

    not flagged

    27°C (81°F)

  12. Dec

    not flagged

    25°C (77°F)

Best: May–Sep. Avoid: Jan–Mar. Month by month →

Warmest Jul (31°C (88°F)), coolest Jan (7°C (45°F) low), wettest Jan (12 rain days), driest Jun (1). Averages, not a forecast.

Weather and climate

Forecast from Open-Meteo · averages rounded

Skeleton Coast National Park: next 7 days

Loading forecast…

Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.

Air quality

Loading…

Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.

Jan

25°C (77°F)

7°C (45°F)

12 rd

Feb

26°C (79°F)

7°C (45°F)

10 rd

Mar

27°C (81°F)

8°C (46°F)

8 rd

Apr

28°C (82°F)

9°C (48°F)

4 rd

May

29°C (84°F)

10°C (50°F)

2 rd

Jun

30°C (86°F)

12°C (54°F)

1 rd

Jul

31°C (88°F)

13°C (55°F)

1 rd

Aug

31°C (88°F)

13°C (55°F)

1 rd

Sep

30°C (86°F)

12°C (54°F)

2 rd

Oct

29°C (84°F)

11°C (52°F)

4 rd

Nov

27°C (81°F)

9°C (48°F)

6 rd

Dec

25°C (77°F)

8°C (46°F)

9 rd

High / low, both scales · rd = rain days

Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in

Arrive & move

Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in

Getting around

4×4 on C34 from Swakopmund to Ugab River; north of Terrace Bay needs a certified guide (≈N$1,000/day) or fly‑in.

See & doDay-trips, door to door

See & do

Day-trips, door to door

Day-trips

Door-to-door, not ride time

Terrace Bay

go

Door to door: ≈2 h

4×4 on C34 from Swakopmund, about 2 h drive

Base for fishing, birdwatching and beach walks.

Shipwreck Lodge (central concession)

caution

Door to door: ≈3 h total (incl. guide briefing)

Book a guided 4×4 package from Terrace Bay, about 1 h drive

Luxury lodge requires pre‑booked package; access limited.

Northern coast (Kunene River mouth)

skip

Door to door: ≈5 h (guide) or 1 h flight

Certified guide with concession, or fly‑in charter

Remote, guide fee N$1,000 / day; only for experienced travellers.

Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in

Eat & sleep

Which area to sleep in

Where to sleep

Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.

Terrace Bay Resort

3 chalets + 20 double rooms, restaurant, bar

Torra Bay Campsite

Seasonal (Dec–Jan), 60 sites, shop, filling station

Shipwreck Lodge

Luxury cabins, requires lodge package

PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card

Practical

What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card

Cost per day

2026 estimate, excluding the bed unless stated
Budget
N$800–1,200 excl. bed
Mid
N$1,200–2,000 excl. bed
High
N$2,000+ excl. bed

Trip budget

2026 estimate · converts to your currency

Prices of common things

Meal at Terrace Bay ResortN$150–250
Bottled water (1 L)N$20
Guide (north‑zone concession)checkN$1,000 per day

2026 estimate; check locally.

Watch out

Safety

Low crime but high exposure risk: bring water, fuel, spare tyre and emergency kit; fog and sand reduce visibility, so drive cautiously.
  • Roads are gravel and can be slick when wet; stay on authorized tracks.
  • No water or fuel inside the park – carry ample supplies.
  • Fog and strong winds can reduce visibility; drive cautiously.

Emergency numbers

Ambulance and rescue (private, varies by town)
check — E-Med Rescue 24 or your lodge's number

Pocket card

One page · print or save as PDF

Fill in, then print or save as PDF

Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.

Skeleton Coast National ParkSkeleton Coast National Park

Pocket card · Voykit

My bed tonight

—

—

—

Na hierdie adres, assebliefTo this address, please

Emergency

  • Ambulance and rescue (private, varies by town)check — E-Med Rescue 24 or your lodge's number

Embassy

No embassies in the park or in Kunene; most are in Windhoek — check your embassy's hours before you drive north.

My embassy: —

Fare anchors (2026 estimate)

  • Guide fee, north of Terrace Bay (concession holder): about N$1,000 per day, even if the guide rides in your car (check)
  • Fuel and water inside the park: none sold; fill up and stock up before the gate
  • Entry gate: Ugab River mouth in the south, Springbokwasser on the eastern side; park permit fees check

Say or show

  • Goeie dag — Good day (khoo-ee-uh dahkh)
  • Dankie — Thank you (dahn-kee)
  • Waar is die petrolstasie? — Where is the petrol station? (vahr is dee pe-trol-stah-see)
  • Ek het water nodig — I need water (ek het vah-ter noh-dikh)
  • Help — Help (help)
  • Hoeveel is dit? — How much is it? (hoo-fayl is dit)

No fuel, water or phone signal over long stretches: carry 5 L of water per person per day, a spare tyre, a full tank and a paper map. The northern section past Terrace Bay is concession-only with a certified guide.

Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources

Deep dive

What this guide covers so far, and its sources

Not a trip line yet

This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Skeleton Coast National Park. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.

What we know, and what is coming

On this page

  1. Best months: May–Sep · avoid Jan–Mar (rainy, foggy) · month by month →
  2. 1 airport and 3 areas to sleep in
  3. Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
  4. Cost per day in 3 bands
  5. 3 day-trips, door to door
  6. 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers

Coming as the guide grows

  1. An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
  2. Walking clusters with bag rules
  3. Day plans checked against opening hours
  4. Field-verified times and fares

Meanwhile

Back to Namibia

Sources

Ask about Skeleton Coast National Park

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