Namibia Skeleton Coast Expedition
Remote coastline where desert meets Atlantic
Your Route
Windhoek → Sossusvlei → Skeleton Coast → Etosha → Windhoek
Route Details
Sossusvlei Dunes
Namib-Naukluft
The world's tallest sand dunes in ever-shifting apricot hues.
Highlights
- Dawn climb of Big Daddy or Dune 45
- Deadvlei clay pan with ancient trees
- Aerial perspective by light aircraft
- Desert-adapted wildlife
Skeleton Coast
Skeleton Coast National Park
Fog-shrouded coastline of shipwrecks, seal colonies, and desert-adapted elephants.
Highlights
- Shipwrecks on desolate beaches
- Cape fur seal colonies
- Desert-adapted elephants in dry riverbeds
- San rock engravings
Damaraland
Damaraland
Ancient landscapes with desert-adapted wildlife and rock art.
Highlights
- Desert-adapted elephant tracking
- Twyfelfontein rock engravings (UNESCO)
- Dramatic red rock formations
- Rare desert-adapted black rhino
Etosha National Park
Etosha
Classic African wildlife around the great white pan.
Highlights
- Waterhole viewing at camp
- Large predator populations
- Elephants against white pan backdrop
- Floodlit waterhole at night
A Typical Day
Sample from Sossusvlei Dunes
5:30–6:30
Pre-dawn departure for dune sunrise
7:00–12:00
Climb and explore Sossusvlei
12:00–15:00
Return to lodge, lunch, rest
15:00–18:00
Nature drive or scenic flight
18:00–21:00
Stargazing in clear desert skies
Activities
Included Activities
Optional (additional cost)
Is This Right for You?
Best for
Landscape photographers, adventure seekers, repeat safari travelers wanting something different, and those drawn to desolate beauty.
Not ideal for
First-time safari travelers, those prioritizing Big Five, budget-conscious travelers, or those wanting short trips.
Trade-offs
Like what you see?
We'll customize this route around your preferences
Best Time to Go
Dry Season
Best wildlife viewing, clear skies for photography
Green Season
Dramatic landscapes, migratory birds, lower rates
Why This Itinerary Works
Every Vurara Safaris itinerary reflects specific trade-offs. Here is the reasoning behind this route:
14 days balances depth at each location against travel fatigue. Shorter trips sacrifice wildlife time; longer trips face diminishing returns.
Segment order minimizes backtracking and positions high-density wildlife areas at optimal points in the journey.
Premium positioning in private concessions or exclusive-use camps. Higher cost buys exclusivity, flexibility, and guide expertise.
Landscape photographers, adventure seekers, repeat safari travelers wanting something different, and those drawn to desolate beauty.
Why each segment was chosen:
Sossusvlei Dunes
Dawn access to dunes requires nearby positioning. Light quality is optimal before 9am.
Skeleton Coast
Location selected for wildlife density, logistical efficiency, and alignment with stated priorities.
Damaraland
Conservancy positioning allows off-road driving and night drives not permitted in the national reserve.
Etosha National Park
Waterhole positioning is strategic. Eastern vs western camps change which species dominate.
These decisions are not arbitrary. They reflect documented trade-offs from thousands of safari conversations.
How Vurara Safaris makes decisionsCustomization Options
Accommodation Options
Travel Modes
Available Extensions
Caprivi Strip Extension
Add water-based safari in green Namibia
Cost Context
$12k–$22k/pp
Per person estimate
This cost band represents typical per-person pricing for this itinerary pattern. Actual costs vary based on accommodation tier, travel mode, season, and party size.
Excluding international flights, includes internal charters
Related Decisions
Questions to consider before booking