Exploring Spectacular Namibia

Images and impressions from one family’s epic exploration along the Skeleton Coast – and beyond.

By Maryann Jones Thompson

Dunes… Shipwrecks… Ancient tribes… Wildlife. These are the reasons why Namibia sits firmly atop the bucket list for so many travelers.

Namibia’s northern coast is littered with the remains of countless whales, the Portuguese ships that came to hunt them, and other unlucky vessels rendered helpless by the area’s dense fog and pounding surf.

Captains sometimes attempted to escape by turning inland, trying to navigate through the salt marshes, and stranding their boats.

Over the decades and centuries, Namibia’s towering sand dunes take turns swallowing and exposing the wrecks and the wetlands, creating a most haunted and fascinating destination: The Skeleton Coast.

Lisa, Matt and their kids visited in December 2019, sharing these unforgettable photos and impressions:

“We love Africa and had always wanted to visit Namibia – especially the Skeleton Coast. It was fascinating to see so many shipwrecks in various states of decomposition and whale bones all along the coast.

The enormous sand dunes of the Namib Desert stretch all the way to the ocean. We had to wake up at 4:30am to beat the 100-degree heat for a hike up one of the highest sand dunes in the world.

It was also amazing to see the petrified forest of trees that had been dead for 900 years.

The kids loved riding the dune buggies and quads in the sands.

Our stay at the Shipwreck Lodge in the middle of the dunes was one of the most unique experiences we’ve ever had traveling as a family.

Even the teens were excited by our time with the members of the San tribe and getting a glimpse of their traditional life.

We also had a chance to visit animals at a recovery sanctuary. The group works to keep harmony between the Namibian farmers and the wild animals because leopards, lion and cheetah tend to kill the domestic animals like cows, goats and chickens when they encroach on their natural habitat.

Getting there and around Namibia was no easy feat: We had to take 6 flights in small planes. Crazy! The pilots even let our teen son fly one time.”

Maryann Jones Thompson – October 2020

ROAM Founder & Editor

After a thousand years in publishing as a business journalist, ghostwriter, content strategist and market researcher, Maryann brings her experience traveling as a backpacker, businessperson, expat and mom to writing and editing for ROAM.