Skeleton Coast: The Most Dreaded Coast Present On Earth

Skeleton coast the name itself is enough to horrify people and the coast has earned this name because of the numerous of deadly shipwrecks have happened in this remote and almost not reachable shores. The Portuguese have called it as The “Gates of Hell” while the Namibian Bushmen have named it “Land of God made in Anger”. The 20000sq km park you can presume that is among the not so visited places in the planet. It is segregated into two sections northern and southern. The place it seems is cut off from the rest of the world and you would really enjoy this aloofness of the coast which is influenced by chilling sea breezes and covered in thick fog. The place is a perfect example of nature wining against the man, the stories of shipwrecks echoes in the region. There are no social groups living here but deep inland among the desert border, Himba the nomadic tribe lives.

Where it is located

The Skeleton Coast is situated in the Atlantic Ocean’s northern part, the coast of Namibia.

Fauna and flora that you would find in the skeleton coast

You would find desert elephants in the interior regions of the Skeleton Coast Park. There are desert Oryx, springbok, giraffe, brown hyena, rare black rhino, and you can find lion as well if you get further inland. There is a seal colony close to the place where you would get see many thousand Cape fur seals along with dolphins and whales. There coastal birds that sustain their lives on the rich plankton and Benguela Current’s pelagic resources. The cleaning of beaches is done by the jackal, ghost crabs and brown hyena. Springbok and gemsbok are other two important animals found in the region, they are also animals whom lions attack for the food.

You could only find vegetation adapted to desert like lithops and welwitschia. There are hundreds lichen species in the hot west faced mountain slopes and on the gravel plains. Luscious ‘flowering stones’ is found in rocky fissures.
There are more than 200 species of birds found and many among this are Nambia’s endemic desert species like Gray’s Lark, Ruppell’s Korhaan and Tractrac Chat. Jeagers and Skuas are can be frequently traced in the seal colonies, Subantarctic Skua , Parasitic Jaegar and Pomarine Jaegar are the common one and you can notice them all in the summer season.

Where you can stay

• Kulala camp
• Skeleton Coast camp
• Kulala lodge
• Kulala tented camp
• Sossusvlei Wilderness camp
• Serra Cafema Camp
• Damaraland Camp
• Ongava lodge

Safaris you can opt

• • Best of Nambia Wing Safari
  • Wilderness Safari

When you should visit Skeleton Coast

Anytime between April to October you can visit Skeleton Coast, the days are warm and sunny and extremely less rainfall occurs in these months.

How to reach

Windhoek (Hosea Kutako) is the nearest Airport. C34 the main coastal road starting at Swakopmund can be followed by car or you can go from Khorixas i.e. by west route.

15 Unique Places in Africa to Explore with Rooftop Tent Vehicle

Unique places to explore have statured Africa the world’s adventure spot. The list on what to explore remain unexhausted not until one has enough of the time to mark a long line. Explore Africa’s unique places well packed with the accommodation ensures rooftop tent. Ensure to secure your super car rental deal with Rooftop tent and explore the Africa’s unique places as suggested below.

We draw a list of 15 unique places where to wander with plans of spending a night in the rooftop tent, as well can make this happen as well a route to consider when in Africa. These are places of natural beauty, historical, and wildlife rich, which are scattered in tropic, savannahs and desert sets.

How to spend a night with rooftop tent when in Africa

Well, there are moderate integers of arrangements very featuring for outdoor rooftop tent camping across Africa’s regions. There can be available in National Parks and game reserves, and several tourist destinations which can be cities, towns, beaches with camping options. There are various number of car rental agencies across regions which can hire you a safari 4×4 car with rooftop camping gears. However, such arrangements needs special arrangements and it’s advisable to reserve a vehicle at least 3 month before the traveling date to ensure that all gears are set in place.

15 Unique Africa Places to explore with a rooftop tent

15. Table Mountains – South Africa

The Table Mountains have decorated Cape Town one of the fantabulous cities on the African continent. The southern roaming of Africa is the lining of these beautiful sceneries of the Signal hill, devil’s hills, and Lion’s heads forming a huge natural amphitheater for the establishment of the famous Cape Town. Cable ride is one among the great undertakings at the Table Mountains, reached with a single fingered route, after the great encounters of wildlife, still the mountains are stunning to consider for rooftop camping for the overnight and avoid the familiarity of room services.

14. Victoria Falls – Zimbabwe & Zambia

The falls are wanders of Zimbabwe and Zambia, a lifetime adventure journey from the dry lands of Namibia to the green banks of the Zambezi to the thundering roars of Victoria Falls. Africa’s most spectacular water falls were thousands have hurried to enjoy the moist spray off 108m cascade. It’s the world’s wider waterfalls with the width of 1,700m, they are surrounded by the savannah opening which habitat for variety of wildlife including lions, hippos, crocodiles, rhinos that accompanied the majestic view of the falls. Still for the cape of outdoor, there are various spots around the falls where travelers can level their 4×4 safari vehicle and spend a night in the rooftop tent around Kazuma Pan Camping etc.

13. Murchison Falls – Uganda

Arguably Africa’s most powerful falls, imagining of how the rapids force into the narrow gorge of 7m wide and falls at an elevation of 45m down. The falls are located in northern Uganda forming the largest National Park in the country. Murchison falls invite one of the largest concentration of wildlife in the country with great encounters being elephants, Rothschild giraffes, hippos, lions among others, taking the Murchison falls national Park adventure is an opening of viewing the big five in Uganda. It’s a great reflection when pointing out special outdoor rooftop camping grounds at the delta and several private and camping grounds. Here have a chance of spending the night in the midst of wild roars.

12. Lake Malawi

At the shores of Lake Malawi can level your vehicle to and conveniently open your rooftop tents for a night. The lake is surrounded tropics and savannahs forming the Lake Malawi National Park, it’s the first freshwater lake with a national park. There a number of land and water adventure activities done when at UNESCO sites Lake Malawi National Park. Though not so common among the most visited tourist destinations in Africa, it’s one of the magical places at the continent availing much chances of relaxing and camping goodies. Rooftop tent camping at Lake Malawi rewards with a fantabulous full moon rise, and morning sun rising view.

11. Atlas Mountains – Morocco

Accompany your rooftop hiking to the atlas mountain with rooftop tent camping at the foothills. When planning for camping adventures, for camping holiday must have a good quality rooftop tent and all camping gears (all-season sleeping bag, all-weather clothing, cooking equipment, fridge or cool-box (please consider power consumption, cool boxes can be high consumption, so your vehicle electrics must be able to cope. Contact us for advice). Trekking the Atlas Mountains exposes to rich cultures of morocco.

10. Kalahari Desert – Botswana

The Central Kalahari National Park is a legendary African desert in Botswana stature as the world’s 2^nd largest game reserve. The scattered savannah grasses that spray across the desert sand dunes and a part covered with natural valley sites off the Orange River, the vast grass spray invite quite a number of game viewing which are mainly enjoyed on a drive through the open plain. Camping sites like Jack’s Camp, and other accommodations facilities can offer a chance to park your 4×4 safari vehicle and operate your rooftop tent for a night.

9. Zanzibar Stone Island

Drawing back to historical centers, the Zanzibar archipelago is a magical paradise north of Tanzania. The ancient building style, golden beaches, sapphire waters and the waving palms trees at the shores makes this a majestic island every traveler would like to reach to. This very perfect for honeymoon outing and making it more colorful, consider an outdoor rooftop camping facing the shores of the ocean.

8. Mt. Kilimanjaro National Park

Mt. Kilimanjaro National Park is among East Africa’s regional most famous tourist destinations. Hiking to the peak of Kilimanjaro is a chance to stand at Africa’s highest altitude of 5,895m, the hike to the summit brings you closer to islands of skies and creating a theater of natural drama. The trails through a number of barren landscape doesn’t suggest much concerning rooftop tent camping, rather ground camping is a way to go for overnights on a climb. The park at the foothills is a great philanthropist for wildlife and anything like rooftop camping still made possible.

7. Damaraland – Namibia

The skeleton stretch of almost barely landscape, the presumed semi-desert landscape host a number of semi-arid baring wildlife geology, archaeology and ancient natural history. The land is marked with plain, rugged areas of flat topped mountains of varying granite clusters. The natural formations of the Damaraland plain landscape marks a perfect option to stop your vehicle and settle for an overnight in the rooftop tent.

6. Sahara Dune – Egypt

The Sahara is the largest hot desert which is spread in over 11 African countries including Egypt. Egypt’s majority of the land is desert decorated with few oases scattered across. The oceanic dry winds blow sand dunes that peak at about 30m high. Undeviating Dunes, great sand sea in southwestern Egypt too deep of the Sahara Desert where winds control the landscape formation. The walk through the dunes can rightly be accompanied by the rooftop camping option which can be done at any camping site around.

5. Seychelles

It’s one tourist destination, it has articulated its activities to tourism activities as the major source of income to the island. In the middle of Indian Ocean is this particular tourist hub, not much is available to explore but the traditional and culture are the main offers. The island offer great nature walking considerations well as rooftop tent facing the shores of Indian Ocean is a major suggestion to encounter here.

4. Kruger National Park

One African most famous parks in South Africa, the park has avails space for self-drive exploration and a rooftop suggestion is a volume of idea to reflect on undertaking. Among the largest park in Africa as well with the huge concentration of wildlife species and one of the oldest conservation areas on the continent. A game drive to Kruger has been one of the most rewarding adventure considerations in the park greater wildlife encounter including herds, schools, pride and troops. But at the end of the day one must ensure a cool spot for the overnight and with several camping spots rooftop tent camping has proved cool with this unique Africa’s adventure.

3. Jinja White Water Rafting – Uganda

For adrenaline adventure, this east African adrenaline adventure capital Jinja scores the highest invites. This old stone city is built northern shores of Lake Victoria in Eastern Uganda hosting the source of the world longest River Nile. The river forms number of waterfalls rapids that have facilitated a number adventures including White water rafting, Kayaking, Tubing, cliffs for Bungee Jumping and still many mental relaxing adventures. There are various camping options where one just need to pay a fee dollars for space and stretch their rooftop tents for the overnight.

2. Virunga Conservation Area and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Yes, placing these two destinations is not accidental, these proximity volcanic tropical rainforests are home to the world remaining mountain gorillas. The Virunga Conservation Area is shared among three countries among which is divided in three parks respectively. Among the parks include Virunga National Park of DRC, Volcanos National Park Rwanda and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park Uganda. This conservation area host half of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas shared among the mentions 3 countries and the remaining half resides in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Tracking mountain gorillas is a chance to trace the basic origin human being, this has become Africa’s highlight of the rest of the adventures. With our rooftop tent regards, still the parks offer the best of the trial for all weathers though being a tropical, there are a number of varying accommodation facilities that still suggest top on the vehicle offer.

1. Serengeti and Masai Mara reserve Plains

The Africa’s most two catching parks due to their annual dramatic wild show of the wildebeest migration. These two reserves of Serengeti in Tanzania and Masai Mara in Kenya have formed ever a wondrous adventure have attracted greatly a number of tourist to the destination. The two reserve has monopolized taking accolades of being Africa’s best national parks for years, there is quite a huge concentration of wildlife counting including the big five, birds, herds etc. The 4×4 jeeps, land cruiser and overland are the more widely suggest considerations drive in the parks and rooftop tent are great for the overnights.

10 Best places for a Road Trip in Uganda

Uganda’s adventurous gems are all scattered throughout the country. These gems include; National parks, mountains, hills, lakes, rivers, cultural sites, religious sites, historical sites, urban centers, and museums among others. The location of these different sites in different corners of the country makes the country one of the best destinations in Africa for road trips.

Some of the best places you shouldn’t miss on a Self-drive Ugandan road trip include the following.

Entebbe town

Botanical Gardens Entebbe

Entebbe town is the entry point to Uganda as it is where the international airport is found. Entebbe is proving to be a matchless urban destination in Uganda for tourism. Entebbe is a rewarding tour center especially for visitors who are interested in a road trip to the countryside. The city offers opportunities for day tours because it is a small site most tourist attractions are within a walkable distance, one can easily explore on foot places like; the Botanical gardens for bird watching, primate watching, and plant identification.

The Uganda wildlife education center is a zoo with activities like wildlife viewing, behind-the-scenes program, keeper for the day, chimpanzee viewing, among others. When leaving Entebbe, join the roadside markets popularly on days like Tuesday in Kitoro town for some little shopping or watching the daily lives of Ugandan people in the local markets before proceeding to Kampala.

Kampala city

Kampala City

Kampala capital is about 40km from Entebbe town, it is a perfect place to have a road trip because the city is absolutely rich when it comes to city tours. The city has a variety of sites that any visitor can enjoy during a road trip in Uganda including religious sites cultural sites like Ndere cultural center, historical sites, archeological sites, museums, and monuments among others.  Religious sites to visit include; the Namugongo shrine, Bahai temple, Gadafi mosque, Namirembe, and Rubaga cathedrals.

Historical sites include the Uganda museum, the parliament of Uganda, and the Ndere cultural center. Cultural sites to explore include Entanda cultural sites and Sezibwa falls. All these make the capital Kampala one of the best places for a self-drive road trip.

Igongo cultural center

Igongo cultural center

This is a cultural center located in the western Uganda area along Masaka-Mbarara road in Mbarara district. This is an awesome spot for travelers to have a stopover for lunch or even for an overnight stay. Igongo culture is currently the major cultural center in the entire west and southwestern region of Uganda. This center has a museum that showcases at least most of the traditional aspects of the Ankole people. Visitors have a taste of the Ankole culture through the traditional foods that are served in the restaurant and on the displays. A road trip to western Uganda must never miss the Igongo cultural center for a great cultural experience.

Lake Mburo National Park

Elands In Lake Mburo National Park

This is a special site where every part is lively with a variety of natural wonders. This park is one of Uganda’s smallest protected areas covering only 260 sq. km and being a savannah park it harbors several mammals like Buffaloes, Impalas, Zebras, and numerous bird species including the rare shoebill stork which can be sighted in particular parts of the country.

The Park is generally a beautiful place with sculptured landscapes and rolling grassy hills with abundant forest galleries, seasonal and permanent swamps. Road trip travelers can explore the park through different activities like birding for over 313 bird species in the park, boat trips in Lake Mburo are remarkable to see diverse water animals and marine species like crocodiles, hippos, and the birds, a forest walk in Rubanga forest with beautiful sounds of over 40 bird species. Fishing and nature trails are some of the best alternatives in Lake Mburo Park. Accommodation for night stays like Mantana luxury tented camp and Mihingo lodge is available around the park. From here you can proceed to Queen Elizabeth National park.

Queen Elizabeth National park

Tree Climbing Lions

Also situated on the western side of Uganda is Queen Elizabeth National Park. This is the best next and closest destination to Lake Mburo national park during a road trip in Uganda. It offers the best wildlife safaris in Uganda due to its diversity with wildlife. Incredible safari activities like game viewing for large herds of elephants, lions, buffaloes, Uganda Kobs, wild dogs, and lions among others.

The launch cruise allows travelers to float along the 40-kilometer Kazinga channel while watching the abundance of bird species flying over, the crocodiles, hippos, and monitor lizards, Buffaloes on the channel cooling off the hot weather.

You will later join the Ishasha sector for the rare tree-climbing lions and the park’s multiple crater lakes like Lake Katwe where salt is mined traditionally. Accommodation in the park is available with a variety of facilities ranging from luxury, mid-range, and budgets like Mweya safari lodge, Ihamba lodge, Katara lodge, mazike safari lodge, Kyambura game lodge, Bush Lodge, Simba Safari Camp, and various campsites at Mweya peninsular.

Fort portal

Fort portal is a town located in western Uganda greatly famous for its cultural heritage of the Tooro people. Fort portal is the right place to explore while encountering sites like the crater fields, like the Ndali- Kasenda crater in the northwest of Fort portal town. These crater fields are impressive with beautiful scenery and also offer beautiful hiking experiences. Best of all is the cultural and heritage sites like the Karambi tombs where the Tooro kings are buried, the Tooro Royal palace with its magnificent building, and the Amabere ganyinamwiru caves that showing the Chwezi era that make the road trip culturally rewarding.

Tea cycling is also another experience as you ride in the famous Mpanga tea plantation while viewing the beautiful lush tea estates. After the fort portal tour, the visitor can proceed to Kibale forest national park.

Kibale forest national park

Kibale National Park is found in the borders of Fort Portal and is the capital of primates in the entire world with up to 13 species of primates including Chimpanzees, black and white Colubus Monkeys, Red Colubus, and L’Hoest monkeys. The major attractions in Kibale national park are the Chimpanzee and over 300 bird species that can be explored on foot. The park is best for activities like chimp trekking, nature walks, and birding in the Bigodi wetlands with a variety of bird species.

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

This is home to more than half of the world’s last remaining population of endangered mountain gorillas. The park has over 20 habituated gorilla groups available for tracking. Gorilla tracking and habituation experience is the main tourist activity to this park. Other tourist attractions include bird watching, Batwa community tour, and Forest walks.

Gorilla permits are in high demand throughout the year and each costs US$600(to be increased to $700 effective 1^st July 2020), and US$1500 for gorilla habituation experience and can be acquired through a trusted travel agency.

Clouds Mountain gorilla lodge, Nkuringo gorilla camp, Lake Mutanda resort, Rushaga Gorilla Camp, Gorilla Mist Camp, Havens Gorilla Lodge, Bakiga Lodge, Buhoma Community Rest Camp, and many others are the accommodation facilities available in the park.

Murchison Falls National Park

This is Uganda’s biggest and oldest National Park located on the northwestern side of the country. The park derives its name from the magnificent Murchison falls which is the main tourist attraction to this park. The main tour activities here include game viewing, a fantastic boat cruise to the bottom of the falls, hiking to the top of the falls, nature walks, night game drives, chimpanzee tracking, birding, and habituation experience in Kaniyo Pabidi forest reserve among others. Ziwa Rhino sanctuary is the only place for Rhino tracking in Uganda.

Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary:
Ziwa Rhino sanctuary is home to Uganda’s wild Rhinos, the sanctuary is located about 176km north of Kampala the capital of Uganda along Kampala- Gulu highway just before Murchison falls national park. Ziwa is a great adventure place for families and groups with children. Imagine walking on foot while tracking with the children is so adventurous with an armed ranger, one can get as close as 30 feet to Rhinos. Guests can also have fun on the boat ride and sighting the ancient Shoebill stork which is one of the rare bird species in entire Africa. Ziwa sanctuary is absolutely one of the best destinations for family safaris with an amazing experience of tracking Rhinos in the sanctuary, plus great meals and accommodation from Amuka Safari lodge.

CONCLUSION

It’s Important to Understand the places you must never miss in Uganda as you plan your self-drive trip, all the regions in Uganda are uniquely gifted with special tour attractions that can only be discovered in a single self-drive road trip. The best places to visit have been shared to make it easy for you to choose which place to add to your itinerary.