Shipwreck Lodge

COASTAL, UNIQUE, INVITING

Shipwreck Lodge, Namibia

+264 61-228104

See Website

At a Glance

The first and only camp located on the remote Skeleton Coast, Shipwreck Lodge offers an ideal way to experience this unique and isolated environment.

Indagare Loves

  • The easy access to the Hoarusib River, which attracts plenty of desert wildlife
  • The design of the main lodge and cabins, reminiscent of the shipwrecks that line the Skeleton Coast
  • The warm, welcoming and attentive local staff, who make you feel right at home

Review

Set on the windswept white sand dunes of the Skeleton Coast, with distant views of the icy, fog-covered Atlantic in the distance, Shipwreck Lodge was opened by Natural Selection in June 2018 (in tandem with Hoanib Valley Camp). It is the first and only property to be built within Skeleton Coast National Park and the best way to experience the coast beyond a day trip.

The distinctive design of the lodge and cabins is inspired by the shipwrecks that line the Skeleton Coast, where a combination of strong tides and persistent fog make this raw and rugged African coastline especially perilous for boats and whales alike (the coast is littered with shipwrecks and whale bones).

Set on a dune facing the Atlantic, Shipwreck has one main lodge and ten cabins, including two family cabins that can accommodate an extra bed. All are solar-powered and contemporary in style, shaped like abstract ships and made of light woods with large windows. Curved, roughly-hewn wood on the exterior is reminiscent of the ribs of a boat (or a whale). Inside, the slanted or exposed beam ceilings, porthole-shaped windows and nautical accents, such as antique world maps, sea glass and rope, continue the shipwreck motif. Cabins are very cozy, with a wood-burning stove for cold nights, as well as a chaise lounge, small luggage room and bathroom. The main lodge is warm and inviting, featuring a lounge, restaurant and wide deck with sweeping views over the Atlantic.

Activities include game drives through the dunes to spot coastal animals, such as black-backed jackals, brown hyena and oryx, as well as the Suiderkus and Karimona shipwrecks. Guests can also visit the Mowe Bay Cape Fur seal colony, home to approximately 15,000 seals. A scenic drive along the nearby Hoarusib River reveals a variety of stunning landscapes, including the Clay Castles, in addition to abundant wildlife, such as desert-adapted elephants.

While lunch will depend on the day’s activities, breakfast and a three-course dinner are served in the main lodge.

Who Should Stay

Travelers planning more extensive Namibia itineraries, as well as those interested in seeing desert wildlife, can combine Shipwreck Lodge with a stay at Hoanib Valley Camp or Hoanib Skeleton Coast for a wider variety of animal sightings.

Ideal Length of Stay

Two nights is a perfect amount of time to experience all the Skeleton Coast has to offer.

Written by Rose Allen

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