Welcome to the Skeleton Coast National Park
The Skeleton Coast starts at the mouth of the Ugab Rivier, some 200 kilometres north of Swakopmund. Since 1973, it is protected as the Skeleton Coast National Park, stretching 500 km up to the Kunene River at the Angolan border.
With an area of 16,000 square kilometres it is the third-largest National Park of Namibia. The southern part - up to Terrace Bay - can only be accessed with a permit and for the northern part one needs to book a private safari company.
Dense fogs, mighty storms and violent surf in the past caused many ships to run aground along the Skeleton Coast, and the desolate coastline has become known as the world's biggest ship graveyard.
Those who were shipwrecked and managed to swim through the roaring surf and reach the coast, still didn't stand a chance of survival because waterless, hostile, 300km wide coastal desert awaited them.
The most attractive stretch of the Skeleton Coast Park lies north of Terrace Bay, but it is closed to individual visitors. To gain an impression of the enormous expanse of this National Park one can book a flying safari.
Whether you set out on your own self-drive safari or join a group of like-minded travelers, Namibia is Africa's best-kept safari destination secret. In Namibia, you have the opportunity to venture into the unknown and yet be completely safe.
Visitors can take in the beautiful wildlife and unique landscapes at their own pace, on their own terms.
Like nowhere else in Africa, Namibia provides the visitor the opportunity to escape stress, experience peace and freedom, sit and admire the breathtaking landscapes and reflect.
From game-packed parks to the silence and spectacle of the desert, this incredible country, its landscapes, people and wildlife are waiting.
Namibia is a land of stark contrasts, where towering dunes meet a tempestuous coastline. As it should be in a land of such contrasts, Namibia offers an endless variety of safari options. Experience the haunting silence of the Kalahari Desert and spot one of 430 bird species in the Caprivi region, search for desert elephants in Damaraland and interact with the astonishing Himba community in the remote Kaokoveld.
Nkasa Rupara (Mamili National Park)
Namibia's wild and seldom visited Nkasa Rupara (formerly Mamili) National Park is a watery wonderland of wildlife rich islands, river channels and wetlands. In many ways the park mirrors Botswana's Okavango Delta - but is even more remote and less visited. Wild is the best word to describe this park, there's nothing fancy about, no luxurious campsites or guided tours, you're on your own, driving on a series of unmarked 4x4 trails. Nkasa Rupara holds the distinction of being the largest wetland area with conservation status in Namibia. This protects flora and fauna living within it's complex channel of reed beds, lakes and islands, that form the Linyanti swamps
The focal points of the 320km² national park are Nkasa and Lupala, two large islands in the Kwando / Linyati river. During the dry season the islands can be reached by road but after the rains 80% of the area becomes flooded, cutting them off from the mainland. The good news is that it remains a sanctuary for birds, with more species of birds recorded here than anywhere else in Namibia. In those dry winter months, huge herds of elephant congregate on these islands.
Because the park is subject to frequent flooding in the rainy season, camping is inadvisable. Drivers must proceed with caution and negotiate deep pools slowly and avoid rivers where crocodiles, some up to 5m in length, lie in wait. Families of hippopotamus also venture onto the floodplains at night to feed. If you do get stuck, whoever loses the toss will have to dig you out, so listen carefully for nearby elephant and buffalo that maybe crossing the river. Visitors should also be aware that they must be completely self-sufficient in terms of water, food and fuel
It is however an extraordinary piece of wilderness, with lush marshes, dense savannah and high river reeds, that add to the high level of excitement when driving through by 4x4. In addition to large herds of elephants and buffalo, lion, leopard, spotted hyena, giraffe, impala, red lechwe, reedbuck and the elusive sitatunga can be seen. Noteworthy species of bird include wattled crane, rosy-throated longclaw, slaty egret, Meves' starling and the greater swamp warbler birding at it's best!
You will seldom encounter other tourists in the park, which isn't always such a bad thing. Thunderstorms might be a companion though, and be aware that lightening from these meteorological phenomena can ignite the ground, sparking fires that temporarily burn above the ground and below the earth.
There is a privately run campsite a few kilometers north of the park - which offers 3 reasonably equipped campsite, while the splendid Nkasa Lupala Lodge borders the park to the north - and as the are is unfenced much of the wildlife from the park wanders through the property. Nakasa Lupala lodge also has exclusive rights to offer game drives in the park as well as game viewing from a boat on the Linyanti (a very exclusive experience) - so those wanting a little more than a self drive experience in the park should consider spending time at the lodge.
Entry permits for the park are obtainable at the Ministry of Environment and Tourism (MET) offices in Katima Mulilo and Windhoek, or from field offices at Susuwe, Nakatwa and Shisinze or the northern gate of Nkasa Lupala National Park.
Mudumu National Park
Lots of running water is hardly a phrase one would associate with Namibia, but Mudumu National Park certainly has plenty of it! This is mainly due to the park sharing it's western border with the Kwando River, with it's tranquil lagoons, narrow flowing channels and stupendous riverine forests.
The remainder of the 100,000ha park is an impressive expanse of dense savannah and mopane woodland, home to small populations of sitatunga and red lechwe, while spotted neck otter, hippo and Nile crocodile inhabit the waterways. Mudumu is a place of predators, lion roam, leopard and hyena hunt at night and packs of African wild dogs are now raising litters in the park
Animals love, and need water, so encounter elephant, buffalo, roan, sable, kudu, impala, oribi and zebra,as you drive through thick mopane forest and over wide floodplains, past swamps of papyrus and temporary lakes, inundated with wildlife and waterfowl. Ornithologists are not forgotten, there are well over 430 species of bird recorded, including cranes, storks, ibis and jacana, a fascinating sight to behold, as they race across lily beds on broad webbed feet!
If that isn't enough, then concentrate on life on the river with the ripples of turtles and the swirl of the fanged tiger fish. Local fisherman ply their trade from their mokoro's (dug-out canoes) casting their nets for tilapia. Rest at night, to the unmistakable sounds of frogs croaking and Modumu's hippos responding with a throaty chuckle.
There is only 1 unfenced campsite with river water and basic sanitation in the park. Visitors must be self-sufficient in terms of water, food and fuel. Entry permits for Mudumu are obtainable in the MET offices in Katima Mulilo and Windhoek or from the offices at Susuwe and Nakatwa.
There are a number of fantastic lodge's dotted around the Caprivi, most with fly-in safari facilities, including Chobe Savannah Lodge, Impalila Island Lodge, Lianshulu Lodge or Rainbow River Lodge. For a more comprehensive choice, look at the Caprivi and Kavango lodge sections. For something a little more different, the recently refurbished Zambezi Queen offers a Namibian Safari, in a private suite, aboard a luxurious 5-star, 45m boat, launched in August 2009.
For those arriving in Victoria Falls, it is worth considering car hire in Zimbabwe, as this makes travelling around the country much easier.
Mahango National Park
The Mahango Game Park (also known as the Mahango Game Reserve is a protected area in Namibia within Bwabwata National Park. It is situated at the country's eastern border with Botswana in the flood plains of the Okavango River basin, close to the Popa Falls on the river.
The Caprivi Strip encloses the western part of the park. It was established in 1986 and covers an area of 24,462 hectares (60,450 acres). With over 300 species of birds, it has been designated an Important Bird Area by BirdLife International.
About two thirds of the bird species found in Namibia are located here as it includes both wetland and tropical terrestrial species of birds.
Bwabwata National Park
Bwabwata is a national park located in north east Namibia. The park was established in 2007 and has a size of 6,274 square kilometres (2,422 sq mi). It was created from Caprivi Game Park and Mahango Game Reserve.
Bwabwata is situated in the Zambezi and Kavango regions, extending along the Caprivi Strip. It is bounded by the Okavango River to the west and the Kwando Riverto the east. Angola lies to the north and Botswana to the south.
The area is an important migration route from Botswana to Angola for African elephant and some other game species. It is an unusual Protected Area as about 5,500 people live in the park. The Namibian government involves park residents and neighbours in planning and managing the park.
