Shipwreck Lodge is quirky, chic and luxurious.
There’s nowhere on the African continent quite like the Skeleton Coast. It’s a raw, rugged and impossibly remote slice of African wilderness, where towering dunes and wind-swept plains roll as far as the eye can see, buffeted by the icy Atlantic seas.
But there’s much more to the area than simple isolation. Stay at Shipwreck Lodge and game drive in search of desert-dwelling fauna; discover the enchanting desert flora (succulents and lichens); sit atop the dunes as the sun sinks below the horizon; spend the day beach-combing for whale bones and debris from centuries of shipwrecks; and marvel at the geologically-remarkable Clay Castles. Really, there’s nowhere like it on earth.
This camp has been built to match the remarkable scenery of the Skeleton Coast, and each of the 10 rooms have been constructed to resemble the shipwrecks that line the beach.
There are eight twin or double rooms, and two cabins can take extra beds if you’re bringing the kids, all ensuite and solar-powered. Well, apart from the wood burning stove but on the chilly evenings and mornings, it’s most definitely a welcome addition! In the centre of camp, you’ll find an equally as innovatively-designed lounge and restaurant with a wide, wraparound deck and uninterrupted views across the sand all the way to the Atlantic Ocean.
Highlights:
- Game drives within the Skeleton Coast National Park.
- Sundowners and walks on the beach.
- Fishing at the coastline (equipment provided).
- 4×4 excursions to the Clay Castles, the Hoanib River Delta and the Mowe Bay seal colony.
- Visits to the Suiderkus and Karimona shipwrecks.
- Drive along the Hoarusib River and explore the incredible dunes and landscapes of the area.
When to go?
The Skeleton Coast is an excellent year-round destination, and it stays relatively cool throughout the year – that’ll be that eerie Atlantic fog. But the desert temperatures can change at the drop of a hat, going from freezing to boiling in a matter of minutes, and you should always travel with a warm jumper (or two).
November to April are the summer months at the Skeleton Coast. In the desert, rainfall patterns are never guaranteed, but you can expect some showers at this time. The rain does, however, keep the air clear and crisp. The mornings are also less foggy, and this is an excellent time of year for birders to visit as the migrants are out in force.
May to October are the winter months. During the day, temperatures hover around a very pleasant 21 to 25 degrees Celsius, but be warned – the mornings and evenings can be chilly, especially on an open game drive. There’s virtually no rain at this time of year and the desert is at its iconic, splendid best.
Getting there
Several airlines fly directly to Windhoek from Cape Town, Johannesburg, Frankfurt, Amsterdam, Addis Ababa and Doha. The easiest way to reach Shipwreck Lodge is to fly to Windhoek with an international carrier of your choice, and then switch to a light aircraft and fly to Mowe Bay, the nearest airstrip to the lodge.
Flight transfers are also available between Hoanib Valley Camp and Shipwreck Lodge, and Swakopmund and Shipwreck Lodge – please contact us for more details.
Alternatively, you can travel in an air-conditioned 4X4 from Swakopmund (8 hours; recommended overnight stop at Cape Cross), Windhoek (11.5 hours; recommended overnight stop), or from Hoanib Valley Camp.
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Visit
Monday – Friday: 9am – 5:30pm
Saturday: 10am – 4:00pm
1 Market Place Mews, Gardiner Place,
Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire, RG9 2AH