The majority of visitors to the Skeleton Coast National Park enter Namibia via the Hosea Kutako International Airport, 40 km (25 mi) from the capital Windhoek. To reach the park by road, one travels west to Swakopmund, before following the coast north, over a total of 485 km (300 mi).
For a glimpse of what to expect, the Cape Cross seal colony is 100 km (60 mi) south of the park entrance. A 4×4 is strongly recommended, given the predominance of sand roads covered. Most visitors opt for organised tours with professional tour operators, most of which depart from Windhoek.
By air, the area is only serviced by private charters destined to select lodges in the restricted northern sector. Some combine a visit to the Skeleton Coast with the Etosha National Park, some 620 km (385 mi) to the East.
While the Skeleton Coast National Park can be visited throughout the year, unusually for Namibia, the best time to visit is in the Summer, from October to March.
Visitors wishing to combine a visit to the Etosha National Park should bear in mind that this period is not regarded as good for wildlife viewing in Etosha (and vice versa). The warmer weather ensures that there is less chance of the thick coastal fog that covers the area in Winter, allowing you to fully appreciate the scenery and navigate safely.
The peak tourism season is from July-October, with applicable rates. Winter, by contrast, is marked by a lot of fog, cold temperatures and strong winds. Rainfall is scarce year-round.
