The Skeleton Coast: A Journey Through the Namib Desert

by Benedict Allen

The "Skeleton Coast", where the Namib Desert meets the Atlantic Ocean in south-western Africa, is named after the bleached bones and shipwrecks that lie on its shores. This is Benedict Allen's account of his thousand-mile trek with camels through the Namib Desert and along the Skeleton Coast. Allen prepares for his journey with the nomadic, goat-herding Himba tribe in the north of the Namib, learning essentials for desert survival. Submerging himself in the community, he comes to understand the everyday fears and aspirations of these extraordinary people. He then travels south to the fringes of the Kalahari, where he undertakes a gruelling three-week period, training his reluctant camels. Escorted by security personnel through diamond areas closed to the outside world, Allen moves north past ghost towns and through some of the highest dunes in the world. The journey continues through lion, rhino and elephant country, where Allen battles to maintain authority over his faithful but nervous camels, until he is reunited with the Himba nomads.

Genres: Africa, Travel, Nonfiction

224 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1997

About the author

Benedict Colin Allen is a British writer, traveller and adventurer known for his technique of immersion among indigenous peoples from whom he acquires skills for hazardous journeys through unfamiliar terrain. In 2010, Allen was elected a Trustee of the Royal Geographical Society. He has recorded six TV series for the BBC, either alone or with partial or total use of camera crews, and has published ten books, including the Faber Book of Exploration, which he edited.[1]

Reviews

[Jo Floyd]

True account of a journey up skeleton coast, Namibia with camels ( BBC series). Read whilst in Namibia.

[Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

After the slight disappointment of "Through Jaguar Eyes" I really enjoyed this. Benedict back at his best. Will start his Papau New Guinea epic soon now.

[Anne Haack · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating journal accounts. Great photos!

[Sooz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this book!
I'm a huge fan of Benedict and have all his books.