Skeleton Coast National Park

Wildlife

Wildlife on the Skeleton Coast is sparse but remarkable. Desert-adapted lion, brown hyena and black-backed jackal patrol the beaches in search of seals and stranded marine life. Desert-adapted elephants, giraffe, gemsbok and springbok move along the dry riverbeds, such as the Hoanib and Hoarusib, where underground water supports vegetation.

Cape fur seals breed along the coast, and the ocean supports dolphins and seabirds, including cormorants and terns. Smaller creatures, such as the fog-basking beetle, sidewinding adders, geckos and the Namaqua chameleon, show how life adapts to extreme conditions. Wildlife sightings depend on patience and expert guiding, and none of the Big Five apart from elephant and lion are found here.

Key wildlife

• Desert-adapted lion
• Desert-adapted elephant
• Brown hyena
• Black-backed jackal
• Cape fur seal
• Gemsbok
• Springbok
• Giraffe
• Dolphin
• Namaqua chameleon

Best Time to Visit

Short answer: May–Oct. Also good: Nov–Apr.

Peak Good Quieter

The Skeleton Coast can be visited year-round. The coast is cool and often foggy, especially in the mornings, while temperatures inland can be hot during the day. Strong winds can blow at any time.

The dry winter months, from about May to October, are popular for fly-in safaris and wildlife viewing in the riverbeds. Summer, from about November to April, is warmer inland, with occasional rain far from the coast. Fishing is popular at Terrace Bay and Torra Bay, and Torra Bay is normally open only in the December and January holiday season.

Getting There

The southern section of the park is reached by road from Swakopmund, about three hours away along the coast, through the Ugabmund Gate, or from Damaraland through the Springbokwasser Gate. The gates are open from 07:30 to 19:00. If you are not staying at Terrace Bay or Torra Bay, you need a transit permit for the road between the two gates, and you must enter by 15:00 to leave the park before closing.

International visitors usually arrive at Hosea Kutako International Airport (WDH) near Windhoek. Fly-in safaris to the northern section depart from Windhoek and other centres, often combined with Damaraland and the Kunene region.

Distances are long and services are few, so carry enough fuel, water and supplies, and keep to the designated roads.

Fees & Access

Entrance fees

From 1 April 2026, foreign adults pay N$280 per day (N$140 entry plus N$140 conservation fee). Children aged 9–15 and SADC visitors pay N$180, Namibians N$60, and children aged 8 and under are free. A vehicle with up to ten seats pays N$60 per day. Fees are paid at the gates.

The northern section of the park is a private concession that can only be visited on a fly-in safari, with fees included in the package.

Gate hours

Ugabmund and Springbokwasser gates 07:30–19:00. Without a Terrace Bay or Torra Bay booking, enter by 15:00 on a transit permit.

Health

Malaria risk: Malaria-free.

Fees and gate times change. Check the latest rates with the park authority before you travel.

Things to Do

Fly-in safaris to the northern wilderness offer scenic flights over dunes, shipwrecks and seal colonies, with guided exploration on the ground.

Self-drive journeys through the southern section reveal empty beaches, shipwreck remains and the stark beauty of the desert.

Wildlife tracking in the riverbeds, with an experienced guide, offers the chance to see desert-adapted elephant and lion.

Fishing from the shore at Terrace Bay and Torra Bay is a long-standing tradition for anglers.

Photography is spectacular, with fog-shrouded beaches, rusting wrecks and dramatic dunes.

Explore Namibia’s other parks, such as Damaraland and Etosha, browse all safaris, or plan your safari with us.