Ugab River Mouth — Skeleton Coast Riverbed Crossing

The Ugab River mouth is one of the few places on the Namibian coast where a significant desert drainage hits the Atlantic, creating a wide braided channel of deep sand before dissipating into the sea. For overlanders heading north into Skeleton Coast Park from the C34 coastal road, this crossing is a landmark — it’s where the open road ends and the permit-only wilderness begins. The river runs dry most of the year but the soft sand channels demand respect and proper tire pressure. Wildlife is regularly seen in the riparian corridor, including black-backed jackals and occasional brown hyena.

The Ugab River Gate (Ugabmund) sits near here and is the southern checkpoint for park entry — permits must be in hand before arrival. No fuel, no water, no stores. Stock up in Henties Bay to the south before making this crossing. The C34 coastal track is corrugated gravel and sandy — high-clearance 4WD is the minimum. Verify gate operating hours with MET Namibia before departure.

Southern gate to the Forbidden Coast.