Tourism News South Africa

Wilderness Safaris to build Hoanib Skeleton Coast

Wilderness Safaris has announced the building and opening of the new camp, Hoanib Skeleton Coast, located on the Hoanib River, the private concession straddling the Palmwag area and Skeleton Coast National Park, in one of the most remote areas of the Kaokoveld.
Wilderness Safaris to build Hoanib Skeleton Coast

The Kaokoveld is a land of rugged scenery, a rugged and historic coastline, mountains, vast plains, and dry riverbeds inhabited by incredible desert-adapted plant and animal life. Despite the arid environs, one of the greatest concentrations of desert elephant and lion can be found within this area - along with sightings of giraffe, antelope, black rhino, leopard and cheetah.

Exploring the territory on foot, by vehicle, in hides, and by air, small groups led by expert safari guides can look forward to unravelling the enigmatic history of the original strandlopers (beachcombers), their stone circles lying in hidden valleys, the ancient Welwitschia plant, following herds and other wildlife, and savouring endless coastlines and landscapes unfolding untouched for hundreds of kilometres.

Forays into the Hoanib floodplains

For the first time, forays into the Hoanib floodplains (previously restricted inside the Skeleton Coast National Park) can be undertaken, which includes the strange upwelling of fresh water at a series of oases in the middle of the shifting Namib Desert. Extended journeys will explore the shores of the world-famous Skeleton Coast.

This exclusive camp, comprising eight units (including one family unit), will be a Classic Camp with all the attendant luxuries and amenities, and is expected to be ready in July 2013, with departures offered on an easy-to-sell daily basis. Along with a dedicated new airfield in the vicinity granting improved access, the magnificent landscape will be done justice by using low-impact design that is sensitive to the fragile desert environment.

In line with Wilderness Safaris' commitment to the Government of Namibia's far-sighted community-based Natural Resource Management policy - an approach that Wilderness has embraced from the outset - the 20-year concession is a joint venture with the neighbouring community-based Conservancies of Anabeb, Torra and Sesfontein.

Let's do Biz