The Skeleton Coast Namibia

Monday 1 March

Lockdown Day 340

The infamous and inhospitable Skeleton Coast is so named because of all the shipwrecks along the coastline. The desert meets the ocean for hundreds of kilometres of nothing. We love coastal drives and this one is pretty awesome and unique. It's barren and deserted and often shrouded in sea mist or battered by heavy wind.

North of Henties Bay the first one hundred kilometres is actually through the Dorob National Park.

Contrary to what we expected the salt road was in excellent condition and driving was easy. We passed quite a few fishermen parked along the shore.

Entry to the Skelton Coast NP is free for transit only. From Ugab Gate in the South to Torra Bay is 150kms. It's another 125kms up to Mowe Bay and from there on to the Angolan border the area is restricted.

One vehicle had entered the park ahead of us but we didn't see another vehicle for the whole trip. Neil did casually ask me how much drinking water we have. 12 litres.  And loads of food and wine..

The driving wasn't treacherous at all though. The road is in very good condition and the weather was great. We stopped to look at a wreck or two and at one point we found this eerie, old rusty oil rig; abandoned by 2 unsuccessful prospectors in the 1960s. Are we in a Mad Max movie?

At Torra Bay we took the C39 eastwards to the Springbokwasser Gate and into the Palmwag Consession, but more of this tomorrow.