When you are in a 4×4 vehicle experiencing every bump in the track, skidding down towering sides of butter yellow sand dunes and squeezing up narrow charcoal black gorges, exploring Southern Africa is the greatest adventure. The fascinating and mysterious beauty of the Skeleton Coast is every adventurers dream. This desolate coastline is alive with stories of shipwrecks, heroic rescues as well as tragic ends. If the untouched beaches and dunes could tell us stories, we would be spell-bound. Access to this section of coastline has previously been cut off. Now, however, several tours a year are permitted to pass through and travel the quiet beaches and the massive sand dunes stretching for what seems like forever and explore the emerald green river gorges. Join an adventure from Swakopmund up to where the Kunene River empties itself into the ocean. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to share in the intrigue and natural history of this coastline.
If you are an explorer at heart, an avid adventurer, a photographer or an admirer of natures’ wonders, joining in one of these off road trips is just the thing for you. A kit list is supplied to you which includes items like bedding, crockery and cutlery, your own drinking and washing water and other personal items. A guide, two meals a day and various other necessities are provided by the organizers. The route is all planned out and includes scenic river routes, driving a 65km stretch of undulating sand dunes through the Namib desert and crossing vast grasslands teeming with indigenous wildlife.
As one travels you get the feeling of experiencing something different every day. The terrains which one passes through are so vastly different and striking that it takes your breath away. The convoy leaves from Swakopmund and travels 500km up to Rocky point. Each 4×4 has a radio and is in contact with the other drivers. Each day the route is planned out ahead of time and the only reason for deviation here from would be because of tides, poor weather or limitations that vehicles or drivers may experience. Fuel is an important consideration and stops are planned along the way. A petrol 4×4 would need to fill up about 250ltrs for this section of the trip and a diesel run vehicle would need 220ltrs.
When the official road ends 4 hours into the journey at Move Bay the vehicles hit the beach. Moving north of the Bay, the first stop is made and setting up camp on the beach is what is in store for night number one. The next 150km are interesting as the party travels along the beach passed Hoarusib River Mouth and stops at the wreckage of the Ventura Bomber. This craft was involved in the rescue of stranded passengers of the Dunedin Star. Enough stops are planned en route to satisfy any nature or history buffs. Night two is spent at Angra Fria, either on the beach or in the lava hills, depending on the weather.
Traveling this inhospitable coastline is a treat from all sorts of aspects. Investigating the wreck of the Dunedin Star and driving over huge salt pans to passing through wetlands with over 70 different species of birds is not something most people get to experience. There are days on this trip where swimming is forbidden due to areas inhabited by the Nile crocodile and where walking about the camp at night is not recommended due to the resident elephants! The vehicles that are recommended for this trip are not normal aspirated Diesels or underpowered vehicles. There are places that only specialized vehicles can access.
Hearty breakfasts are a great start to the day and are provided by the tour operators. Much time is allowed for stopping at magnificent view sites along the way and swimming in spectacularly clear rock pools. After traveling along the Kunene River for two days, the drive heads down the Hartman Valley. The driving is challenging and slow moving and the wildlife in this part of the trip can be enjoyed to the fullest. Through the Marble Quarry and on towards the Hoarusib River lushly vegetated with Mopani trees and Makalani palm trees, this part of the trip is called the Elephant day. The last stretch of the route takes the adventurers to Sesfontein/Palmwag where everyone is then off to continue their adventures to a number of other exciting sites within Namibia. With an adventure in store never to forget, make sure you get in on this limited offer to places few people have ever stepped.
Learn more about off road adventures. Stop by Echo 4×4′s site where you can find out all about off road trailers and what it can do for you.
