How do I get to Hoanib Skeleton Coast Camp?

Wilderness Hoanib is one of the most remote lodges on Earth. This magnificent desert camp is only accessible by light aircraft with Wilderness Air. Flying over the Namib is a unique experience and the best way to arrive in style while appreciating the vast beauty of the desert.

Where is the Skeleton Coast?

The wild Skeleton Coast National Park encompasses a 500 km long, 40 km wide stretch of seemingly barren desertscape on Namibia’s Atlantic coastline. This is a hostile but fascinating land of shipwrecks, seals, and endless sand.

How did the Skeleton Coast get its name?

The Skeleton Coast serves up ghostly scenes where through a fog of sea mist, the sun-bleached skeletons of ships dot the coastline. Among them the skeletons of seals and whales, giving the area its name, while also attracting some of the world’s rarest desert predators.

Why is the Skeleton Coast so dangerous?

The atmospheric beaches of Skeleton Coast National Park are unmissable. While not dangerous for you to visit, the Skeleton Coast is famed as the largest ship graveyard in the world. Many sailors have met their demise here due to the dense fogs and frequent storms that batter the coastline.

Elephants grazing outside Wilderness Hoanib Skeleton Coast

Namibia

Hoanib Skeleton Coast Camp

Where Lions Roar

Visit Wilderness Hoanib for an intrepid adventure in a life-filled private wilderness area near the legendary Skeleton Coast.

Home Africa Namibia Kunene region Hoanib Skeleton Coast Camp

DESTINATIONS

Wilderness Hoanib Skeleton Coast Camp

Explore one of the world’s last great wildernesses.

Remote Wilderness Hoanib Skeleton Coast Camp rests in Namibia’s famed, ancient Kaokoveld. Search the rust-coloured crags and arid plains for desert-adapted wildlife. Take a thrilling drive to the wild, windswept Skeleton Coast.  Hike rocky outcrops, scramble down enormous sand dunes, marvel at desert oases, and dine under impossibly starry night skies.

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A female lion prowling with Wilderness Hoanib Skeleton Coast camp in the background

NAMIBIA

Wilderness Hoanib Skeleton Coast Namibia Elephants In Desert

Hoanib moments

Wilderness Hoanib Skeleton Coast Camp is a true desert oasis in a land that seems uninhabitable, but is life-filled. Explore an otherworldly landscape of immense dunes and rocky mountains. Amongst the dry riverbeds, desert-adapted wildlife is revealed. Look out for elephants, oryx, giraffes, and even lions and elusive brown hyena.

Wilderness Hoanib Skeleton Coast Namibia Desert Lion Cubs

Wilderness Hoanib Skeleton Coast Namibia Oryx

Wilderness Hoanib Skeleton Coast Namibia Ostriches In Desert

Hoanib moments

Wilderness Hoanib Skeleton Coast Camp is a true desert oasis in a land that seems uninhabitable, but is life-filled. Explore an otherworldly landscape of immense dunes and rocky mountains. Amongst the dry riverbeds, desert-adapted wildlife is revealed. Look out for elephants, oryx, giraffes, and even lions and elusive brown hyena.

Accommodation

At Wilderness Hoanib Skeleton Coast Camp eight pale olive, generously appointed, tented suites peak like whitecaps on an ocean of sand. Totally solar-powered, their open design and colour palette reflect the surrounding desert. A unique experience beckons for the intrepid traveller seeking chic luxury in a startlingly rugged and isolated, ancient landscape.

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Cuisine

Enjoy an alfresco lunch on a remote Skeleton Coast beach, feet on the pebbles and an uninterrupted view of the rugged Namibian coastline, with seals seemingly as far as the eye can see. Toast the sunset on a high dune overlooking the desert. Visit Hoanib's vegetable garden to pick the freshest greens. Indulge in traditional cuisine under the stars at the camp fire, as a jackal cries.

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THE DETAILS

Wilderness Hoanib Camp

Overlooking a wide desert valley that slopes down to the sporadically flowing Hoanib River, Wilderness Hoanib Skeleton Coast Camp looks out over a waterhole frequented by lions, elephants, giraffes, and brown hyenas. Amongst this unique desert wildlife and Namibia’s smaller creatures, discover relics of the Strandloper lifestyle from centuries past.

Purpose

Facilities

Wildlife

Area

Activities

Wilderness Hoanib Skeleton Coast Namibia Impact Purpose

Desert conservation legacy

Human dignity, recovering wildlife, and other conservation gains. This is the expanding legacy of Namibia’s community ventures. At Wilderness Hoanib Camp we partner with three neighbouring conservancies, enabling you to come eye-to-eye with desert-adapted elephants, lions, hyenas and giraffes. Researchers study them, and community members benefit financially from their conservation.

Pool

Take a refreshing dip for respite from the African sun.

Wi-Fi

Reconnect with nature without disconnecting from those you love.

Solar

In keeping with conservation, Hoanib is 100% solar powered.

Wilderness Hoanib Skeleton Coast Namibia Area

Where desert meets ocean

The Hoanib River’s gravel floodplain gives rise to sandy dunes and sporadic, surprisingly lush oases, where flamingos are seasonally seen. Rüppell's korhaan, Benguela long-billed lark, and Verreauxs' eagle add to the fascinating variety of birds seen amongst the unusual flora and spectacular scenery. This untamed stretch of sand is yours to wander. You’ll leave the only human footprints in sight. 

Purpose

Desert conservation legacy

Human dignity, recovering wildlife, and other conservation gains. This is the expanding legacy of Namibia’s community ventures. At Wilderness Hoanib Camp we partner with three neighbouring conservancies, enabling you to come eye-to-eye with desert-adapted elephants, lions, hyenas and giraffes. Researchers study them, and community members benefit financially from their conservation.

Facilities

Pool

Take a refreshing dip for respite from the African sun.

Wi-Fi

Reconnect with nature without disconnecting from those you love.

Solar

In keeping with conservation, Hoanib is 100% solar powered.

Wildlife

Area

Where desert meets ocean

The Hoanib River’s gravel floodplain gives rise to sandy dunes and sporadic, surprisingly lush oases, where flamingos are seasonally seen. Rüppell's korhaan, Benguela long-billed lark, and Verreauxs' eagle add to the fascinating variety of birds seen amongst the unusual flora and spectacular scenery. This untamed stretch of sand is yours to wander. You’ll leave the only human footprints in sight. 

Activities

EXPERIENCES

Hoanib experiences

Conservation and community underpin the experience at Wilderness Hoanib. Gain an insight into the area when you linger at the in-camp Research Centre or engage with resident researchers. Learn from local staff about their culture and share in ancient stories and legends of the Skeleton Coast. Discover the area’s fascinating history and hear about the tragic Vanishing Kings lion coalition.

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Nature drives

Get close to rare wildlife, explore otherworldly landscapes and immerse yourself in uncharted territory on a nature drive.

Nature Drives

Namibia

Birding

Birding with a knowledgeable Wilderness guide is spectacular across all our regions, with 930 different species for twitchers to tick.

Birding

Botswana, Namibia, Rwanda, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe

Wilderness Experiences Conservation Tree Planting

Conservation experiences

Rewild. Protect. Conserve. Wilderness combines unforgettable wildlife encounters with positive impact experiences.

Conservation Experience

Botswana, Namibia, Rwanda, Zambia, Zimbabwe

Local culture

Learn. Share. Enrich. Wilderness offers unforgettable cultural experiences across eight African countries.

Local Culture

Botswana, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Rwanda

Guided walking safaris

Slow down and pay attention to the smaller details of the safari experience on a walking safari with our professional guides.

Guided Walking Safaris

Botswana, Namibia, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Zambia

MAP

Explore camps in Kunene

Discover a wild stretch of the Atlantic where the desert meets the sea. A place of immense dunes and rocky mountains dotted with oases that offer an inviting respite from the dry surrounds of the desert. The chance to see wildlife coming to drink, as well as plenty of birdlife.

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Hoanib Skeleton Coast Camp

Standard Season

From USD 980 per person, per night

Premium Season

From USD 1,630 per person, per night

TRAVEL WITH US

Journey with Wilderness

Africa’s ever-changing landscapes bring shifts in wildlife through the seasons. You could embark on our safari activities multiple times, and each time have a unique experience in the wild. From the desert dreams of Namibia to the wonderful waterscapes of the Okavango, let us take you wherever your heart desires.

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HOANIB SKELETON COAST AWARDS

Camp awards

Hoanib is a beacon of conservation tourism. Over decades of operation, its success has paved the way for many sustainable safaris to follow suit. The hard work of our teams on the ground and the communities we work alongside have been recognised through numerous awards. And we couldn’t be prouder.

Sustainable Development Finalist 2022

Condé Nast Traveller

Namibia's leading tented camp

GUEST EXPERIENCES

Testimonials from fellow safari-goers

With a perfect 5 star rating from 219 reviews, guests consistently praise Hoanib Skeleton Coast's exceptional wildlife viewing, dedicated guides, and luxurious accommodations. Read what fellow safari-goers have to say about their unforgettable experiences at Wilderness Hoanib Skeleton Coast. Read more reviews on TripAdvisor.

Amazing

"Located in the middle of nowhere but what a beautiful landscape. This is a very luxurious lodge , totally worth the price. The rooms are very spacious with a terrace , where you can get a massage with a view. All the food served are delicious and with a very large selection of wines . I highly recommend it"

Luxury Traveller | Turkey

★★★★★

Wow, the Skeleton Coast

"Moved on to Hoanib Skeleton Coast camp, An absolutely beautiful desert location. We thought we would struggle to see much wildlife, thought it would be more the scenery which is incredibly stunning. How wrong could we be. Desert elephants, desert lions (Obie, Bravo & Charlie) and even a mother cheetah and her cub. The setting of Hoanib Skeleton Coast Camp was stunning and the accommodation beautiful. Our guide was Vincent, quite brilliant. The staff were wonderful. Food and drink Awesome. The day trip to the Skeleton coast itself was fantastic, although a long drive, but made up by a wonderful lunch in the beach and a short flight back."

JJ| UK

★★★★★

Outstanding experience

"This camp has everything you would need. Just five minutes from the landing strip you arrive at the stunning camp with wonderful tented rooms that are perfectly placed near a watering hole where animals come regularly. You will be greeted by a song - Yvonne has a truly beautiful voice and the whole team join in. A really warm welcome and goodbye. Ben our guide was enthusiastic kind and patient and looked after us so well including hot water bottles ( bush babies) in our beds at night and in the van early in the morning. We had sunrise and sunset trips, a day at the skeleton coast (where Marion produced a paella for our picnic!). We ate delicious food, and tracked wild animals with help from Richard. The guides all work in harmony. So nice to see. And we even had time to have massages with Elina who was fantastic - so relaxing. It was a magical place and an unforgettable experience. Thank you Team Hoanib at Wilderness."

London Traveller | UK

★★★★★

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FAQs

General

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JOURNAL

Hoanib featured stories

Many who visit Wilderness Hoanib think twice about sharing their adventures, content to keep this special piece of Africa to themselves. We think Hoanib’s majestic beauty and abundant wildlife experiences are simply too good not to share. Here are a few stories.

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