Ugabmund Gate — Skeleton Coast National Park Southern Entry Point

Ugabmund Gate sits where the Ugab River mouth meets the Atlantic, marking the southern boundary of the Skeleton Coast National Park. This is a mandatory stop — no permit, no entry, and the rangers here enforce it. The gate controls access north into the central park, so if you’re running the coastal corridor from Swakopmund toward Springbokwasser or the Huab, this is your chokepoint. Expect a basic checkpoint setup, a register, and a permit verification process. The fog can be thick here in the mornings, and the river crossing immediately north is the first real taste of what this coast throws at you.

Gate hours are strictly 0800–1500 for entry — arrive late and you camp outside. Permits must be pre-arranged through NWT (Namibia Wildlife Resorts) or MET in advance; walk-up access is limited and often unavailable. Fuel is not available here — sort that in Henties Bay before you roll in. Recommended season is May–September when the gravel roads are dry and visibility is better.

Southern gate — no permit, no entry.