Desert-Dwelling Giraffe Conservation
Focusing on the awareness of giraffe declines in Africa and the continued conservation of desert-dwelling giraffes in Northwest Namibia.
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Surrounded by enigmatic shipwrecks, Shipwreck Lodge is a unique safari lodge on the remote Skeleton Coast. This raw and rugged African wilderness boasts towering dunes and wind-swept plains along the icy Atlantic seas. From desert fauna to enchanting flora, beach-combing for relics, and marveling at the Clay Castles, there’s nowhere quite like the Skeleton Coast.
The proceeds of your stay helps to support the conservation of desert dwelling brown hyena and lions that have adapted to life in the desert. With a better understanding of behaviours, population dynamics, and potential threats, we can work with our partners and local communities to ensure that these endangered predators are protected.
The Skeleton Coast is a mysterious and eerie place, known for its beauty and haunting atmosphere. Stretching roughly 500 kilometers along the Atlantic Coast, the National Park is littered with shipwrecks and whale bones. Shipwreck Lodge, located in the Skeleton Coast Central Concession Area, is a must-see spot within the park, home to unique wildlife including elephants and brown hyenas. This area is also home to one of the only viable lion populations in Namibia outside of Etosha National Park.
The Skeleton Coast is a great destination year-round, with cool temperatures and eerie Atlantic fog. Desert temperatures can fluctuate quickly, so always have a warm jumper handy.
November to April is summer, with sporadic showers and clear, crisp air. Mornings are less foggy, making it a good time for birdwatching. May to October is winter, with pleasant daytime temperatures but chilly mornings and evenings. Little to no rain, and the desert is at its best.
We felt it only fair that we build a camp to match the remarkable scenery of the Skeleton Coast, and each of the 10 rooms have been constructed to resemble the shipwrecks that line the beach. There are 8 twin or double rooms, and 2 cabins can take extra beds if you’re bringing the kids, all ensuite and solar-powered. Well, apart from the wood burning stove but on the chilly evenings and mornings, it’s most definitely a welcome addition! In the centre of camp, you’ll find an equally as innovatively-designed lounge and restaurant with a wide, wraparound deck and uninterrupted views across the sand all the way to the Atlantic Ocean.
The Skeleton Coast is an area known for its extraordinary landscapes and wildlife sightings are rare – but when do you spot something, it’s a magical experience. First up are the desert-adapted elephant, digging deep beneath the sand for the last vestiges of water. Then, making use of the wells left behind by the pachyderms are giraffe, lion and baboon, and perhaps even a brown hyaena or two, but sightings are rare. There are also thousands of plants and insects that flourish in the sand, surviving from the moisture of the cold fog that drifts inland from the ocean. Incredible stuff – but that’s not all. Marine life positively thrives, feeding off the nutrients in the Atlantic, and the most iconic species are the Cape fur seals that line the rocky shoreline in large colonies. Birdlife is also prolific and you should most certainly pack your binos for Rüppell’s korhaans and Benguela long-billed larks. Further toward the coast, you should also be able to spot tractrac chats, as well as jaegers and skuas around the seal colonies.
Get access to a range of experiences that can be enjoyed during your stay
When you visit, you will be directly supporting the following Natural Selection conservation initatives:
The Skeleton Coast National Park is officially the least visited of all of Namibia’s parks. Just the sort of place, then, that we at Natural Selection like to have our lodges. Shipwreck Lodge is located in the Skeleton Coast Central Concession Area, a critically important piece of land for protecting vulnerable wildlife species. The lodge is a joint venture between Natural Selection and local Namibian companies Trip Travel and Journeys Namibia, as well as the local communities that border the park. We couldn’t be more delighted to welcome you to this incredible part of the country!