Shipwreck Lodge | Skeleton Coast National Park

The place

There’s something almost lunar about the Skeleton Coast – it has an otherworldly beauty that few places can match. With the cold waves of the Atlantic Ocean to one side, and the endless rolling dunes of the Namib Desert stretching away into the interior, the sense of seclusion is palpable. This luxury Namibia safari lodge is perched on a crest of the dunes, with views all the way to the restless sea. Shipwreck Lodge exists in splendid isolation in one of the most remote corners of Southern Africa. It’s a region of almost eerie beauty, where the wind leaves tracks in the sand and ancient rock formations reach up like giant fingers, seeking to clutch at the very occasional clouds in the brilliant blue sky. Although it’s distinctly rugged, this is not an unfriendly landscape. It’s enigmatic, certainly, but alluring too – we both feel drawn in by its very vastness and the mysterious shapes and folds in the land.

There’s something almost lunar about the Skeleton Coast – it has an otherworldly beauty that few places can match. With the cold waves of the Atlantic Ocean to one side, and the endless rolling dunes of the Namib Desert stretching away into the interior, the sense of seclusion is palpable.

This luxury Namibia safari lodge is perched on a crest of the dunes, with views all the way to the restless sea. Shipwreck Lodge exists in splendid isolation in one of the most remote corners of Southern Africa. It’s a region of almost eerie beauty, where the wind leaves tracks in the sand and ancient rock formations reach up like giant fingers, seeking to clutch at the very occasional clouds in the brilliant blue sky.

Although it’s distinctly rugged, this is not an unfriendly landscape. It’s enigmatic, certainly, but alluring too – we both feel drawn in by its very vastness and the mysterious shapes and folds in the land.

The room

Appropriately enough, our room looks exactly like a ship that’s run aground – but also like an ark, a place of sanctuary in a sea of sand. Better yet, some of the supporting beams extend skywards in graceful curves, exactly like the ribs of some long-dead leviathan. It’s the perfect design for a coastline that’s littered with the hulks of unfortunate vessels, and the bleached bones of whales. We agree that it would be impossible to find a more appropriate shape for the location. I’m delighted by so many of the details, including the round window (just like a porthole), and the wood-burning heater that squats in a corner, ready to warm us during the cool desert evening. Later, as night falls, the oblong of light thrown across the sand by the larger geometric windows reminds me of the beam of a lighthouse – something that mariners sailing along this coast would have welcomed. As well as the heater, our room is kitted out with all the blankets we could need to keep us warm on even the chilliest Namibian night. True luxury is always contextual, and this is the perfect desert shelter.

Appropriately enough, our room looks exactly like a ship that’s run aground – but also like an ark, a place of sanctuary in a sea of sand. Better yet, some of the supporting beams extend skywards in graceful curves, exactly like the ribs of some long-dead leviathan.

It’s the perfect design for a coastline that’s littered with the hulks of unfortunate vessels, and the bleached bones of whales. We agree that it would be impossible to find a more appropriate shape for the location.

I’m delighted by so many of the details, including the round window (just like a porthole), and the wood-burning heater that squats in a corner, ready to warm us during the cool desert evening. Later, as night falls, the oblong of light thrown across the sand by the larger geometric windows reminds me of the beam of a lighthouse – something that mariners sailing along this coast would have welcomed.

As well as the heater, our room is kitted out with all the blankets we could need to keep us warm on even the chilliest Namibian night. True luxury is always contextual, and this is the perfect desert shelter.

What sets it apart

This luxury Namibia safari lodge is distinguished not just by the remote majesty of its setting, but by the way every aspect of its design and offering has been inspired by the unique beauty of the Skeleton Coast. In a landscape long renowned for its harshness, Shipwreck Lodge is a welcome beacon of hospitality. Although only recently built, it feels as though it belongs here – it’s not too hard to imagine that the guest rooms were themselves flung offshore by the ocean, and that they fortuitously landed upright and intact. Rugged though this landscape may be, it’s also surprisingly fragile. We’re reassured to see that this influences how the lodge is run: we reach the welcoming main area by strolling along a path demarcated by pieces of driftwood (the same source supplies the in-room heaters) so that we don’t accidentally tread on delicate desert plants.

This luxury Namibia safari lodge is distinguished not just by the remote majesty of its setting, but by the way every aspect of its design and offering has been inspired by the unique beauty of the Skeleton Coast. In a landscape long renowned for its harshness, Shipwreck Lodge is a welcome beacon of hospitality. Although only recently built, it feels as though it belongs here – it’s not too hard to imagine that the guest rooms were themselves flung offshore by the ocean, and that they fortuitously landed upright and intact.

Rugged though this landscape may be, it’s also surprisingly fragile. We’re reassured to see that this influences how the lodge is run: we reach the welcoming main area by strolling along a path demarcated by pieces of driftwood (the same source supplies the in-room heaters) so that we don’t accidentally tread on delicate desert plants.

At a glance

Ten en suite rooms designed to call to mind ships that have run out of ocean and look like a line of boats sailing along the dunes. Eight twin/double rooms, and two that can be converted into triples on request. The main area, like the rooms, offers astounding and far-reaching desert and ocean views.
Only lodge within Skeleton Coast National Park, private activities available (additional cost), private dining available, complimentary laundry service and Wi-Fi.
Game drives, Hoarusib River excursions to track desert-adapted elephant, visits to the Suiderkus and Karimona shipwrecks, day trip to Möwe Bay seal colony, sundowner drive to the Roaring Dunes, guided walking safaris including beachcombing and dune hikes, stargazing, fishing, quad biking (mornings only) and sandboarding.
Children of all ages are welcome. Two of the rooms can be reconfigured for families by the addition of an extra bed.

Ten en suite rooms designed to call to mind ships that have run out of ocean and look like a line of boats sailing along the dunes. Eight twin/double rooms, and two that can be converted into triples on request. The main area, like the rooms, offers astounding and far-reaching desert and ocean views.
Only lodge within Skeleton Coast National Park, private activities available (additional cost), private dining available, complimentary laundry service and Wi-Fi.
Game drives, Hoarusib River excursions to track desert-adapted elephant, visits to the Suiderkus and Karimona shipwrecks, day trip to Möwe Bay seal colony, sundowner drive to the Roaring Dunes, guided walking safaris including beachcombing and dune hikes, stargazing, fishing, quad biking (mornings only) and sandboarding.
Children of all ages are welcome. Two of the rooms can be reconfigured for families by the addition of an extra bed.

Prices

Not only do African safari lodge prices shift with the seasons, they also change based on your length of stay, room type, travel party composition, special offers, if your trip involves stays at sister lodges – and for more reasons besides.
It’s worth noting that depending on your itinerary, your lodge cost will make up about 75–85% of your total safari trip cost.
Our safaris are tailor-made to match your personal safari dream, we’d be delighted if you’d allow us to create a bespoke proposal for you. Simply enquire now – our quotes are complimentary and obligation-free.
However, to help you get an idea of safari lodge prices we’ve created three safari-lodge categories with various price ranges, to find out more click here.

Not only do African safari lodge prices shift with the seasons, they also change based on your length of stay, room type, travel party composition, special offers, if your trip involves stays at sister lodges – and for more reasons besides.
It’s worth noting that depending on your itinerary, your lodge cost will make up about 75–85% of your total safari trip cost.
Our safaris are tailor-made to match your personal safari dream, we’d be delighted if you’d allow us to create a bespoke proposal for you. Simply enquire now – our quotes are complimentary and obligation-free.
However, to help you get an idea of safari lodge prices we’ve created three safari-lodge categories with various price ranges, to find out more click here.