Skeleton Coast National Park — Huab River Mouth Coastal Dispersed Camp

The Huab River mouth is one of the few places along the Skeleton Coast where a defined drainage meets the ocean inside the park boundary, creating a surreal landscape of salt-bleached driftwood, fog-draped dunes, and the occasional desert-adapted elephant track cutting through the gravel. Camping here is genuine dispersed-style — no facilities, no signage, nothing but the roar of the South Atlantic and the silence of the central Namib. Capacity is effectively unlimited by terrain but MET regulations restrict numbers; self-sufficiency is non-negotiable. You carry in everything and carry out everything.

Access requires a valid Skeleton Coast National Park permit purchased in advance at Springbokwasser Gate or MET offices in Swakopmund or Windhoek. The coastal track between Ugabmund and Springbokwasser is rough sand and gravel — 4WD with recovery gear is mandatory. Soft sand sections near the river mouth can catch unprepared rigs. No fires permitted inside the park. Best visited April through October when coastal fog keeps temperatures tolerable. Check MET permit conditions before entry — rules tighten seasonally.

Desert meets ocean. No frills. No rescue.