Along with numerous shipwrecks, the Skeleton Coast shoreline is scattered with bleached whalebones and other skeletal remnants. Despite being a barren and untamed habitat, it is home to an amazing variety of specially adapted wildlife.
Although there aren’t many big game species in the dry climate, it’s still possible to explore the lesser-known desert treasures. Rare oases in the desert are formed by freshwater springs that seep through the desolate sands and support small populations of wildlife. This untamed area is home to springbok, gemsbok (oryx), the uncommon elephant adapted to the desert, brown hyena, black-backed jackal, and occasionally even lion and cheetah.
Predators are drawn to the beaches where thousands of the well-known Cape fur seals can be found. With over 200 species recorded, birding in the area is also excellent. This includes a number of endemic species found only in Namibia’s desert, including Rüppell’s Korhaan, Gray’s Lark, and Tractrac Chat. Jeagers and Skuas are frequently seen at the seal colonies; in the summer, it is possible to see Subantarctic Skua, Pomarine Jaeger, and Parasitic Jaeger.