DOWNLOAD PDF SKELETON COAST (SOUTH AFRICAN TRAVEL FIELD GUIDES)

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1 Chapter 1 : Skeleton Coast â Travel Guide, Map & More! Skeleton Coast (South African Travel & Field Guides) [Amy Schoeman] on blog.quintoapp.com *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. The Skeleton Coast of Namibia, once feared and shunned by seafarers because of its treacherous waters and desert wastes. Click here to enquire about this itinerary Day: As you soar over the spectacular Kuiseb Canyon and adjoining red dunes, the flight includes an aerial view of the famous Eduard Bohlen shipwreck at Conception Bay. You will then continue on a low level flight viewing the seal colony at Cape Cross followed by a picnic lunch on the beach. After lunch enjoy the view of the Ugab formations, a nearly lifeless moon landscape of numerous black ridges in stark contrast to the white desert floor. You will then make your way to Kuidas Camp where you will be based for the night in the Huab River Valley. Kuidas Camp Day 2: You will also be introduced to the unique Welwitschia Mirabilis, a tree that has been dwarfed by the rigours of the desert climate. The most prominent shipwrecks along this part of the coast are the Montrose and Henrietta. Enjoy some time on the roaring dunes, an exhilarating experience and one which you will never forget. Chance to see old bleached whale bones scattered along the beach. Leylandsdrift Camp Day 3: Exploring Kunene River After breakfast you will embark on a scenic drive along the Hoarusib Valley to visit a settlement of the nomadic Himba people. If you are lucky you might see the desert dwelling elephant which frequents this valley. You will continue north along the skeleton coast to the Kunene River acting as a border to Angola. Enjoy lunch in a very special spot before continuing by vehicle through the mountains and dunes of the Hartmann Valley, which extends to the Kunene River. Kunene River Camp with spectacular views over the river will be your camp for the night. Kunene River Camp Day 3: Transfer to Serra Cafema Camp Enjoy and early morning boat trip on the Kunene River as it flows through scenic desert landscape, observing bird life and crocodiles. Birds vary from aquatic species on the perennial waters, to endemic desert varieties and those that inhabit dense riverine vegetation. Accommodation consists of eight riverside wood, canvas and thatched villas on spacious, elevated decks. Each tent has an en-suite bathroom, ceiling fan and mosquito nets. The main area, comprises indoor and outdoor dining areas, sunken lounge, library, curio shop and swimming pool, all sharing views of the Kunene River. Day at Leisure in Serra Cafema Today you can choose one of the many exciting activities available in Serra Cafema including: Guided quad biking through the landscapes while exploring the delicate habitats Visit to a Himba Community and learn about their traditional semi-nomadic way of life Take a boating trip on the Kunene River water levels permitting with the opporunity to explore the lush riverside oases. You may even spot crocodiles and waterbirds in this surreal landscape. Serra Cafema Day 6: Page 1

2 Chapter 2 : Map of Africa Africa Countries Rough Guides Rough Guides Buy Skeleton Coast (South African Travel & Field Guides) Re-issue by Amy Schoeman (ISBN: ) from Amazon's Book Store. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. Our Guide to Skeleton Coast Safaris The Skeleton Coast conjures up images of an eerie coastline shrouded in mist, beaches littered with bleached whalebones and rusted shipwrecks. Much of the Skeleton Coast is protected within an eponymous national park. Whilst the coastline is beautiful, its inland landscapes are truly spectacular and ever changing thanks to weather impact on geology. Still comparatively unknown to travellers, this region boasts sensationally dramatic scenery, small populations of wildlife and the Himba people. The Skeleton Coast is home to only the most adaptable flora and fauna, among them desert dwelling elephants, black rhino, Cape fur seals, sea and shore birds including vast numbers of migrant waders, prolific fish species, rare reptiles and bizarre plants. More information on a Namibia safari here. In the Skeleton Coast holiday list is a desolate coastline and endless and impressive dunes, Ugab rock formations, ancient bushman rock art, nomadic Himba people, Hartmann Valley and its pretty vistas, the living fossil tree called Welwitschia Mirabilis and the sandstone landscape of the Huab environment. Wildlife is here, just harder to spot as it moves around seeking water and shelter from the elements. Elephant, zebra, oryx, springbox, ostrich, giraffe and even cheetah. Each animal is so well adapted to the desert conditions and that in itself is exciting to see and learn about on your Skeleton Coast holiday adventure. Are you Skeleton Coast safari ready? Images courtesy of our guests Things to Do on the Skeleton Coast The southern gateway to the coast is Swakopmund, a German settlement and just north is Henties Bay, popular among fishing enthusiasts. The Cape Cross Seal Reserve is further north, supporting a colony of around, seals. It extends 16, square kilometres and the special quality is certainly its remoteness. This region boasts so many styles of experiences and the highlight is a flying safari along the Skeleton Coast with the Schoeman family who know this region intimately. The benefit of this trip is you get to fly low up the coast from Swakopmund, passing isolated fishing villages, rusty shipwrecks and endless dunes. Your eyes focus on the three different vistas the endless ocean, rolling beach and its vast dune-hugging desert. You land in remote areas, dine with nobody but the wildlife around and continue the journey each day to unfound paradises one cannot fathom. Camp is set up for you and simple, just how it should be in an area of such natural beauty. This style safari in Namibia focuses on the natural world in front of you rather than the extravagant trimmings of a luxury lodge. A fly-in Skeleton Coast holiday sees you board a light aircraft bound for the region where you are dropped off and met by a guide from camp. The next few days you base at the luxury property and head out with experienced guides to explore and unearth the hidden gems of the Skeleton Coast. Heights are dizzying and the vehicles roar up and roll down. Fascinating is the purple sand of the area you can explore on foot. Garnets washed down a distant river before flushing out into the Atlantic. The water currents took them north before tides pushed them back to land and the wind picks them up and drops them in this one area. Garnets are now mere grains in the sand; only perfect jewels when spied through a magnifying glass. Dunes are an integral part of the landscape here and you can explore on foot to feel the enormity and get close to the smaller desert wildlife. From one of the camps you can also visit a local Himba tribe who still live the traditional way of life. The Skeleton Coast is one of the most treacherous coastlines in the world and this comes down to the strong crosscurrents, dense fogs caused by the ice cold fast flowing Benguela current and heavy swells. A visit to the Skeleton Coast is not complete without seeing some of the shipwrecks that date back to the early s. Accommodation in Skeleton Coast With just a handful of luxury Namibia safari properties accessible by air, this area is for the adventure seekers with extra time and money available. Hoanib Skeleton Coast pictured is set close to tributaries with stunning views over dunes, plains and mountains. In the most remote, northern reach of the coast is Serra Cafema, a luxury Namibia lodge only accessible by light aircraft. The emphasis here is on nature drives exploring the landscapes as you traverse valley sand dunes plus quad biking, walking safaris and cultural visits to the local Page 2

3 Himba settlement. Best Time to Visit the Skeleton Coast The Skeleton Coast can be visited throughout the year and the ideal time is certainly the warmer months to avoid the rain and enjoy clear skies, so October to March. May to August offers a more moderate climate with foggy mornings and cool evenings. Join our Safari Fox Receive our newsletter with latest product releases and exclusive offers delivered straight to your inbox by subscribing to our Safari Fox mailing list today! Page 3

4 Chapter 3 : Birding Skeleton Coast â Birds of Skeleton Coast National Park Anthony is a renowned Africa expert and author of many Lonely Planet guidebooks, including the guide to Kenya. Anthony is a renowned Africa expert and author of the Lonely Planet guide to Kenya. Anthony is the author of the Lonely Planet guide to Kenya. The Skeleton Coast is a windswept strip of. Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. Humans are few and far between. Skeleton Coast boasts strong currents and several spectacular breaks that attract a small, but steady community of surfers. This wreck near Walvis Bay is one of the hundreds of doomed ships whose wooden or metal skeletons litter the area. The wreck of fishing trawler Zeila which was stranded near Henties Bay in The only way to explore the northernmost part of the Skeleton Coast between Mowe Bay and the Kunene River is by joining a mobile tented safari with permission to travel in the restricted zone. Founded in as the primary seaport for German Southwest Africa later Namibia, the breezy coastal town of Swakopmund is now the southern gateway to the Skeleton Coast. The most common mammal along the Skeleton Coast, Cape fur seals live in colonies, with very large groups at Cape Cross and Angra Fria on the northern shore. The coast is home to the rare and endangered desert lion, sometimes seen stalking and feasting on marine creatures. Flip-Stander, Hoanib Research Centre","photographer": Flip-Stander, Hoanib Research Centre","cuts": The Hoanib Research Centre strives to protect and conserve these noble beasts of the desert coast. Smaller than their inland cousins, the elephants of the Skeleton Coast have other adaptations for their unique environment including longer legs and wider feet that ease walking on sand. The tuft-eared caracal cat is one of the many rare animals that inhabit this part of the Namibian coastline. In addition to desert-dwelling lions and elephants, the Skeleton Coast is home to cheetahs as well as the tuft-eared caracal cat. Hoanib Skeleton Coast Camp is one of only a handful of classic safari camps or lodges along the entire length of the coast. Not the best conditions for swimming. Wrecks are another hazard -- and attraction. A magnificent drive for photographers. We camp in the beach, only a few meters from the sea. A truly life-punctuating adventure. Chapter 4 : The Skeleton Coast Guide Fodor's Travel Watch the Atlantic Ocean gnaw at shipwrecks on Namibia's dramatic Skeleton Coast, see Cape Town's skyline shimmer from the top of Table Mountain, or let yourself be mesmerised by Madagascar's weird and wonderful creatures. Give Africa a chance, and it'll get under your skin. Chapter 5 : THE 5 BEST Hotels in Skeleton Coast National Park for (from $50) - TripAdvisor Skeleton Coast At the mouth of the Ugab Rivier, some kilometres north of Swakopmund, officially starts the Skeleton Coast. Since, it has been protected as the Skeleton Coast National Park, which stretches km up north to the Kunene River at the Angolan border. Chapter 6 : Skeleton Coast Namibia Travel Guide - Encompass Africa The best camp to stay at is Hoanib Skeleton Coast Camp. Operated by Wilderness Safaris, it is the perfect base from which to enjoy an indepth encounter (in the company of excellent guides) with the fascinating wildlife and phenomenon of this surreal corner of the planet. Chapter 7 : Skeleton Coast Flying Safari - Lightfoot Travel The most dramatic wildlife spectacle is however south of the Skeleton Coast National Park and in the National West Page 4

5 Coast Recreational Area. The icy Atlantic is hugely fertile and supports an enormous colony of between 80 and Cape fur seals at Cape Cross, about kms north of Swakopmund. Chapter 8 : Skeleton Coast Safaris - Tours & Budget Packages to Skeleton Coast Land on a Skeleton Coast beach to explore untouched areas on foot. Meet Himba tribes people and search for desert-adapted wildlife. Take a boat trip on the Kunene River that divides Namibia from Angola, a narrow strip of lush green running through this desert area. Chapter 9 : Southern Africa Travel - Mile 72 West Coast Namibia South Africa Top Destinations Visited Complete at least one field - all are optional. Find out more with our Skeleton Coast budget travel guide page. Page 5