Kalahari Trail Travel Guide – Quiver Tree Forest

Travel from the red dunes of the Kalahari to the magical Quiver Tree Forest, a surreal landscape where the iconic aloe trees resemble natural sculptures against the sky. This drive will take you along quiet roads, crossing open plains and unique landscapes, to one of the most photographed locations in Namibia. Ideal for nature and photography lovers. The road distance between the Kalahari Desert and Quiver Tree Forest, located about 14 km northeast of Keetmanshoop, is approximately 530 kilometers. This journey typically requires around 6 hours of driving, although the exact duration may vary depending on traffic and road conditions. It is recommended to plan stops along the way to rest and enjoy the Namibian landscapes. Kalahari Route Travel Guide – Quiver Tree Forest, a route full of wildlife and culture.

What to see on the “Kalahari – Quiver Tree Forest” Travel Route

Cráter Brukkaros

The Brukkaros crater is a notable geological formation located in the Karas region of southern Namibia. It rises approximately 650 meters above the surrounding landscape, reaching an altitude of 1,590 meters at its highest point. Despite its volcanic appearance, Brukkaros is not a traditional volcano. Its origin dates back some 80 million years, when rising magma came into contact with groundwater, triggering an explosion that resulted in the formation of a caldera approximately 4 kilometers in diameter.

The name “Brukkaros” combines the Afrikaans word “broek” (trousers) with “karos” (leather apron), reflecting the traditional dress of Nama women, the predominant ethnic group in the area.

In the 1920s, the crater housed the Brukkaros Solar Observatory, a collaboration between the National Geographic Society and the Smithsonian Institution, which operated between 1926 and 1931 to measure daily solar radiation.

Today, Brukkaros is an attractive destination for hikers and adventurers. Although the camping facilities have been abandoned and access can be challenging, the region offers hiking trails that allow you to explore the caldera and enjoy panoramic views of the desert environment. A 4×4 vehicle is recommended to access the area and to carry sufficient water and supplies, as the area lacks basic services.

The crater flora includes quiver trees (Aloe dichotoma), which grow extensively on the caldera floor, adding a distinctive element to the landscape.

For those seeking a unique Namibian experience, the Brukkaros Crater offers a combination of geological and cultural history and adventure opportunities in a remote and unexplored environment.

Mariental

Mariental, located in the heart of Namibia, is a town that combines a rich history with economic development based on its natural resources. Founded in 1912 as a railway stop between Windhoek and Keetmanshoop, the town owes its name to Maria, wife of Hermann Brandt, the first European settler in the region.

The presence of the Fish River has been both a blessing and a challenge for Mariental. This river, which flows south through the town, has caused significant flooding on several occasions. Before the construction of the Hardap Dam in 1962, notable floods were recorded in 1923 and 1934. Subsequently, despite the dam, the town experienced flooding in 1972, 1974, 1976, 2000, and 2006, the latter being particularly severe due to the opening of the dam’s floodgates following persistent rainfall.

The Hardap Dam, located 22 kilometers northwest of Mariental, is Namibia’s second largest reservoir, with a capacity of 320 million cubic meters and a surface area of 25 km². Built between 1960 and 1963, this infrastructure has been instrumental in supplying water and controlling the flow of the Fish River, as well as boosting agriculture in the region.

Mariental’s economy has adapted to the area’s arid conditions. Livestock farming, especially sheep and ostriches, is predominant. The town once housed an ostrich slaughterhouse that processed meat for export, although it recently closed. Furthermore, thanks to the irrigation provided by the Hardap Dam, citrus fruits and other agricultural products are grown, diversifying the local economy.

Mariental is also known for being home to the oldest congregation of the Dutch Reformed Church in Namibia, founded in 1898. This fact reflects the influence of the Rhenish (German Lutheran) missionaries in the region and their cultural legacy.

En términos de infraestructura, la ciudad está conectada por la línea ferroviaria TransNamib y la carretera nacional B1, lo que facilita el transporte y el comercio entre Windhoek y Keetmanshoop. Esta conectividad ha sido clave para el desarrollo de Mariental como centro administrativo y económico de la región de Hardap.

MMariental is a city that has managed to adapt and thrive despite natural challenges, combining its rich history with sustainable economic development based on agriculture and livestock.

Keetmanshoop

Keetmanshoop, located in the Karas Region of southern Namibia, is a town with a rich history dating back to before European colonization. Originally known as Nugoaes or “Black Swamp” in the local language, this name referred to a spring in the area. In 1860, the Rhenish Missionary Society established a mission with the aim of evangelizing the local Nama community. On April 14, 1866, missionary Johann Georg Schröder arrived in the area, a date considered the official founding of Keetmanshoop. The mission was named after Johann Keetman, a German merchant who funded the initiative, although he never visited the site himself.

During the South African occupation of Namibia, then known as South West Africa, Keetmanshoop played a significant role. During the apartheid era, the town served as the administrative capital of the Namaland Bantustan, a region designated for the Nama population under racial segregation policies.

The city is renowned for its historic architecture, most notably the Rhenish Mission Church, built in 1895, which now houses the Keetmanshoop Museum. This building was declared a national monument in 1978 and is a notable example of the combination of Gothic architecture and African stone.

Keetmanshoop is also known for its proximity to the Aloe dichotoma forest, also known as kokerboom, a species endemic to the region that attracts numerous tourists.

In economic terms, Keetmanshoop has been a vital center for Karakul sheep breeding and fur production, contributing significantly to the local economy. The town is also strategically located at the intersection of major transport routes, including the Trans-Namib Railway, which connects Windhoek with Upington in South Africa, consolidating its role as the economic hub of southern Namibia.

Quiver Tree Forest

The Quiver Tree Forest, known in Afrikaans as Kokerboom Woud, is a remarkable natural formation located in southern Namibia, approximately 14 kilometers northeast of Keetmanshoop, on the Gariganus farm. This forest is home to around 250 specimens of Aloidendron dichotomum, commonly called quiver or kokerboom trees, because Bushmen traditionally used their hollow branches to make quivers for their arrows.

The tallest quiver trees in this forest are between two and three centuries old, reflecting their resilience and adaptation to the desert environment. On June 1, 1995, the forest was declared a Namibian national monument, recognizing its ecological and cultural significance.

A distinctive feature of these trees is their “upside-down” appearance, as their leaves resemble roots, which has given rise to various local beliefs. Those who care for and worship these trees are said to receive good luck. Furthermore, there is a belief that if one of these trees is dug up, diamonds will be found in its place, but due to its sacred status, no one dares to do so.

Near the forest is Giant’s Playground, a vast accumulation of large diabase boulders that form a unique geological landscape and are attractive to visitors.

Ecologically, the Quiver Tree Forest is of great value. During June and July, the trees bloom with bright yellow flowers, attracting a variety of insects, birds, and mammals that feed on their abundant nectar. Among the fauna that inhabits the forest is the Cape hyrax, also known as the rock hyrax, which lives among the area’s rocks.

Although Aloidendron dichotomum is common in southern Africa, few natural forests of quiver trees exist. Most have been planted by humans, such as the one found in the Karoo Desert National Botanic Garden in Worcester, South Africa. However, the Keetmanshoop forest is a spontaneous formation, making it especially valuable from an ecological and conservation perspective.

Kalahari Trail Audio Guide – Quiver Tree Forest