Namibia has made its entire coastline - 1,570 kilometres of it - into a new National Park, creating the largest park in Africa and the eighth largest protected zone anywhere on Earth. Called the Namib-Skeleton Coast National Park it runs from the South African border at the Orange River right up to the Angolan border. Much of the coast was already preserved, the final piece - the Dorob National Park - being created in December to connect them all together.

In total it covers over 107,000 square kilometres, an area larger than Portugal. At its narrowest the Park runs 25 kilometres inland, rising to c. 175 km in the Namib-Naukluft region. The protected area actually extends further than this, as it links with the Richtersveld in South Africa and Iona National Park in Angola.
As it is now designated as one Park it means a simplifying of permits, as the one will cover what used to be several different parks, all of which needed permissions. Routes are being planned to allow visitors to get the best out of the Park without damaging some of its delicate and rare ecosystems.

Namibia is famous for its dramatic landscapes and habitats, from the magnificent Fish River Canyon to the vast dunes of the Namib Desert. The Skeleton Coast has always been a main attraction on a Namibia holiday and by creating this park the Namibian Government has protected this dramatic coastline for future generations from development and mining concerns.

For details and itineraries to visit this new national Park, call our consultants on 0845 299 0264 or email us for full details of our Namibia safaris and holidays.