In a remote area of the Kaokoveld, with gravel-strewn plains and dry riverbeds that draw fascinating wildlife, lies Hoanib Skeleton Coast Camp. Game drives explore this isolated area, moving along the riverbed’s narrow ribbon of vegetation, where a surprising wealth of desert-adapted animals can be found; in camp the research centre provides even more insights. The unforgiving Skeleton Coast, with its shipwreck remains and noisy colonies of Cape fur seals, is accessed either by a fascinating drive or flight, depending on the weather.

Eight large en-suite tents (including one family tent) and the main area and pool look out over a wide, rugged valley that slopes down to the almost-always dry Hoanib River.

Fully solar powered, Hoanib Skeleton Coast is a joint venture with the neighbouring conservancies of Anabeb, Torra and Sesfontein, and hosts researchers committed to conserving desert-adapted lion, brown hyaena and more.

Wildlife
Hoanib Skeleton Coast’s location – close to the Skeleton Coast and within the true Namib Desert – is home to a rich diversity of wildlife, boasting the Kaokoveld’s best viewing of desert-adapted wildlife and access to vast, remote and isolated wilderness. Almost miraculously it seems, in this stark environment, enormous elephant thrive along with giraffe, lion and brown hyaena. Gemsbok (oryx), springbok, steenbok, scrub hare, and inquisitive ground squirrel are also seen. Entirely different to the rugged mountains and valleys inland, the Skeleton Coast hosts Cape fur seals in their thousands along with black-backed jackals and brown hyaena. Birds are equally diverse, with regular endemics like Rüppell's korhaan, Benguela long-billed lark and lark-like bunting. Towards the coast, the bird community changes and tractrac chat can be seen, as well as jaegers and skuas found around the seal colonies.

Activities – Nature Drives
Drives are conducted in 6 x 7-seater closed Land Cruisers with a pop-up roof. During cooler weather conditions hot water bottles, lined ponchos and blankets are provided.

Activities - General
• Presentations from, and interaction with wildlife researchers when they are in camp. Research participation subject to availability of researcher and conducted in the research centre.
• Morning or afternoon nature drives include the Hoanib riverbed and floodplains within our allocated concession area.
• Guided nature walks (seasonal and subject to the availability of a qualified walking guide).
• Pre-dinner and fireside discussions by staff on research being conducted in the area.
• Star-gazing with a laser pointer, weather permitting and according to moon phases (not offered around full moon).
• Wilderness Safaris and Olympus Photo Hub experience. COASTAL EXCURSION • Included in the rate and available to all guests staying for three nights or more.
• Should the availability of aircraft, pilots and guides allow, a flying option may be offered to guests staying for less than three nights. * However, this cannot be guaranteed, and will be at an additional cost to the guest.
This is an extended excursion as the drive to the coast is approximately 04 to 05 hours and the return flight (departing at 14:00 after lunch) is approximately 20 minutes. Following the course of the dry Hoanib river bed, the excursion includes a stop at the Klein Oasis Spring, driving through dune fields, viewing the remains of a shipwreck, visiting the seal colonies and a picnic lunch on the coast. Note that this excursion is not possible on a private basis. While the norm is that for families travelling with children between 06 and 12 years (inclusive), private activities need to be booked and paid for, e.g. nature drives, there is an exception for the coastal excursion as the return flight cannot be booked on a private basis. In the case of a private vehicle being booked for the duration of the stay, the drive to the coast will be in said private vehicle for that booking. However, this will be in convoy alongside other guests in separate vehicles journeying to the coast. On arrival at the coast, the party with the private vehicle will continue on their own to experience the excursion and will have a private picnic lunch. Should conditions allow, the return flight to camp will always be on a shared basis. If the return to camp needs to be by road, this will then be on a private vehicle basis as per booking arrangements.

Additional Day Excursions
Operating within our concession area and on offer to all guests, these trips leave camp early in the morning, include a picnic lunch, and return to camp in the mid to late afternoon. * Subject to the availability of a guide and vehicle, to guarantee this excursion a private vehicle needs to be booked and paid for.
• Mudorib Springs: Explore the remote areas in the south of our allocated exclusive concession area, with the red basalt landscapes of the Damaraland. Amongst other general game species, guests have the chance of seeing Hartmann’s mountain zebra and the desert-adapted rhino.
• North and Eastern Hoanib Area: These northern valleys offer spectacular scenery, and are also good areas for the Hartmann’s mountain zebra, springbok etc.

Accommodation
The eight large en-suite tents (including one family unit) and the main area and pool look out over rugged scenery: a wide valley that slopes down to the almost-always dry Hoanib River.

Number of Tents
This camp can accommodate 16 guests and 2 children

Wilderness Safaris