Skeleton Coast

The Skeleton Coast is a region in Namibia characterized by its arid, sparsely populated, and isolated environment. It is a section of the Namib Desert that stretches along the Atlantic coast. The coastal belt is often foggy and humid due to cool offshore currents.12

The climate is dry, with very little rainfall, especially near the coast, averaging less than 2 inches (50 mm) annually. Temperatures in the coastal area are moderate, typically between 50 and 60 °F (10 and 16 °C), with little variation between day and night or seasons. Inland, temperatures can be much higher, exceeding 100 °F (38 °C) in sheltered areas.23

Wildlife in the Sossusvlei area, which is part of the Namib Desert, includes gemsbok, ostrich, jackal, kudu, springbok, and various birds, reptiles, and arthropods. The desert itself supports a surprising flora of bushes and tall grasses in its dune fields.42