The Skeleton Coast stretches all the way up the west coast of Namibia. Home to the Himba population of about 50,000 people, living towards the north of the Skeleton Coast and Angola. It is possible to visit one of the Himba villages found along the south of the Ugab River within the Skeleton Coast National Park. These locals are the last semi-nomadic people in Namibia and visits allow an insight into their lives.

One very long beach running along the length of Namibia is what makes up the Skeleton Coast, many take delight in the large seal colony around Walvis Bay in the south, much of the coast is part of the national park. In the national park you will also find giraffes, zebra, ostriches, desert elephants, lions, jackals and rhinos, a rich tapestry of wildlife can be found within the Skeleton Coast.

Many people take to the air to view the coastline and there are also many places that offer afternoon tours to see the shipwrecks, whale bones and to view the spectacular landscape, whatever you are looking for, there is something for everyone along the Skeleton Coast. Namibia has a dramatically changing landscape and much of it is enchanting and inspiring in its rugged wilderness. When visiting the Skeleton Coast many people head to Swakopmund, a town along the coastline that is excellent for fresh seafood and with many activities, a popular option in which to spend a few days.

On one side of Swakopmund are the sand dunes, they almost reach the Atlantic Sea and create a dramatic backdrop to the area. There is one main road from Swakopmund to Walvis Bay, it is on this side of the road you can see people quad biking or sand boarding whilst others are surfing and fishing. Swakopmund for much of the year is covered in a sea fog which burns off through the day, this is due to the high amount of salt in the air. This fog enables the fog beetle to survive and also brings enough water for the Desert Namaqua chameleon to live, a unique example of the finely balanced ecosystem.

Swakopmund has lots of lodges and guest houses, many of the places one would choose to stay in Namibia are local lodges and tented camps, during our stay here however we opted for the Strand Hotel. A waterfront hotel that was perfectly suited for a relaxing stay with an excellent seafood restaurant, if you are in Swakopmund I would recommend going there for the grilled oysters found at the Ocean Cellar.

On our trip we drove down to Walvis Bay, passing the salt plains along the way and where you can see the wild dogs lying on the beaches. En route from Swakopmund there is a long road lying parallel to the shoreline where you can enjoy the chance to see the flamingos. The aim of the day was to go kayaking at Cape Cross with the seal colony living there. An amazing experience where you can climb into a kayak and paddle around the ocean with the seals, the colony is part of the 5000 strong seal population that lives on the Skeleton Coast. The baby seals approach your kayak where you can gently play with them piquing their curiosity and you can stroke their tummies.

From Swakopmund there is a small waterfront filled with restaurants and a couple of shops and local bars. Many tourists staying here use it as a base for excursions, such as hiking the Ugab and Huab river trails.

Our final stop on the Skeleton Coast before heading onto our next Namibian adventure was to stop at the town of Henties Bay, a beautiful bay with locals enjoying some fishing and sitting on the beach watching the sunset go down. The Skeleton Coast was a beautiful and interesting place to stay and visit during our trip to Namibia, combining the African culture and way of life with the influences of the west, a diverse and rich experience to make the most of. It is well worth a visit with so many options on offer and there are endless activities and restaurants to choose from.