Tourist Attractions in Southern Namibia, Africa
Quiver Tree Forests, Ghost Towns and Wild Horses via Tarred Road
Jun 8, 2009
The southern region of Namibia is sparsely populated and vast distances separate the towns from each other. Although the gravel roads in Namibia are mostly in excellent condition, many tourists prefer to stay on the tarred surfaces as much as possible.
In dry years, the landscape is barren and the semi - desert terrain appear to be void of any life. After good rains between January and April, the landscape changes into a sea of waving bushman's grass and the contrast between the red desert dunes and green or yellow grass is a photographer's dream.
From Windhoek, tourists should take the B1 tarred road south towards Rehoboth and further to Keetmanshoop. The road meanders through scenic mountainous terrain before it flattens out.
Quiver Tree Forest at Keetmanshoop, Namibia
Quiver trees belong to the genus Aloe and scientists group them with the tree aloes. These trees grow to an average height of 3 to 5 meters, but people recorded specimens of 8 meters tall. Bright yellow flowers adorn the trees between May and July attracting a variety of birds to the nectar.
Close to Keetmanshoop, dense clusters of Quiver Trees occur along the black dolerite rocks, thus creating the impression of a forest. The most well known of these forests is the Quiver Tree Forest which is situated on the farm Gariganus, approximately 14 kilometers northeast of Keetmanshoop and host a cluster of approximately 200 Quiver Trees.
The best time to visit the Quiver Tree Forest is at dusk or dawn when the unique shape of the Quiver Tree provides stunning silhouettes against the rising or setting sun. A camping ground, bed and breakfast accommodation as well as self-catering bungalows are available at the Quiver Tree Forest Rest Camp for overnight visitors.
Find the Wild Horses at Aus
From Keetmanshoop, visitors should take the B4 tarred road towards Lüderitz. About 2 kilometers after the tourist passed the town of Aus, a signpost indicates the farm Klein Aus Vista. The farm lies amid the granite outcrops of the Aus Mountains and offers a range of accommodation from camping to guesthouse accommodation. Visitors could overnight here in order to seek out the wild horses early the following morning.
Twenty kilometers from Aus in the direction of Lüderitz, at Garub, a pump provides water to the wild horses of the Namib. The water is pumped into a trough and the horses, numbering from 150 to 267, according to Willie and Sandra Olivier in African Adventurers Guide to Namibia, Struik Publishers, 2003, are often seen quenching their thirst. Different theories exist on the origin of these horses, including the theory that the horses are descendants of the horses owned by Captain Von Wolf of Duwisib.
A hide with benches and toilet facilities provide visitors with some comforts while they wait for or study the famous horses. The horses have been observed to drink only once in five days and have adapted to the desert conditions of the area, thus requiring visitors to frequent the hide often to ensure a sighting of these magnificent creatures.
Visit the Ghost Diamond Mining Town of Kolmanskop
Continuing on the B4 tarred road towards Lüderitz, tourists will come across the abandoned mining town of Kolmanskop on the left, approximately 10 kilometers from Lüderitz. Permits to visit the town must be obtained in Lüderitz, but the effort is worthwhile.
Two guided one-hour long tours during weekdays, take tourists on a journey back in time to the prosperous era of diamond mining. Presently the town belongs to CDM (Consolidated Diamond Mines) and the entrance to their current operations in the forbidden Sperrgebiet, is visible from Kolmanskop.
Visitors may explore the town, which is slowly being reclaimed by the Namib Desert on their own after the tour is finished. Struggling through the several feet of sand inside the houses is an experience every tourist will remember.
The cafeteria at Kolmanskop serves refreshments and tourists may even buy diamonds of various sizes and prices from the Diamond Room inside the building.
All three these attractions are on the main tarred roads and tourists do not need to brave any gravel roads to experience some of Namibia's best attractions.
Other tourist attractions in Namibia are along gravel roads, but well worth the effort.
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