Windhoek, Namibia: 5 fun things to do in the capital city
November 9, 2024
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Not far from the town of Keetmanshoop in southern Namibia you will find the impressive Quiver Tree Forest. The large number of these aloe trees together makes this place special, and it has been declared a national monument for good reason. Nearby you will find Giants' Playground, a vast landscape dotted with huge boulders. Both sites are unique parks to visit in Namibia and an ideal stopover on the way to or from Keetmanshoop.
Getting to Quiver Tree Forest & Giants' Playground
The Quiver Tree Forest, also translated as the tube tree forest in Afrikaans and Dutch, can be found a few kilometers from Keetmanshoop. You reach the forest by exchanging the paved highway B1 for a dirt and dusty road, the M29, towards Koës. On the left side of the road you will find the entrance to the Quiver Tree Forest. At the park's front desk, you pay entrance fees to visit the Quiver Tree Forest and a little further on Giants' Playground.
Continue through the main entrance of Quivertree Camp then turn right, past the camping areas until you come to a parking area. Here you can leave your car and follow the trail that zigzags up between the boulders.
Quiver Tree Forest
Once you stand among the dozens of tubular trees, you'll feast your eyes. This particular tree is one of four aloe species classified as trees in Namibia. It is the country's national tree and can grow up to 7 meters tall. In the Quiver Tree Forest, you will find about 250 tubular trees. The unique shapes of the trees create a stunning silhouette against the clear blue sky.
The trees grow in rocky environments but can also be seen in desert landscapes. They are called quiver trees because the San (one of the local populations in Namibia) used the hollow trunk of the tree as a quiver during hunting to put their poisoned arrows in. Another fun fact is that the trunks of dead tubular trees were used as natural refrigerators.
The quiver tree can live up to 100 to 250 years, but only begins to flower when it is at least 20 years old. If you visit the Quiver Tree Forest in the Namibian winter, from May to July, you have a good chance of seeing the bright yellow flowers of the quiver tree.
Giants' Playground
About 5 kilometers away, near Quiver Tree Forest, you will find Giants' Playground on the right side of the road. The gate through which you can enter the landscape can be opened and closed by yourself. From the parking lot you can take a walk across the landscape that is dotted with small and large rocks. The rocks are remnants of lava estimated to be about 180 million years old. Now you might think the rocks came here because of volcanic eruptions, but nothing could be further from the truth. About 180 million years ago, the supercontinent Pangea separated because of tectonic movements. Molten lava flowed up through cracks in the earth's surface, creating this extraordinary landscape in Namibia.
You can take a short hike among the giant rock formations here. Climbing and scrambling is required, though. Of course, you have to watch out for loose rocks. The crazy shapes of some of the rocks remind us of Lego bricks and we totally understand why this place is called Giants' Playground.
Stopover on the way to Fish River Canyon
On the way from the Kalahari Desert to the Fish River Canyon we drove past the town of Keetmanshoop. Here we stopped to refuel and then interrupted this long drive with a stop at Quiver Tree Forest and Giants' Playground. Should you have longer time you might consider booking an overnight stay at Quivertree Forest Rest Camp. It's a great place to stand with your 4×4 jeep. Don't do camping? No problem, they also have cool Igloo Bungalows!
Lois Weeterings
A dreamer and adventure seeker, always on the lookout for new experiences. But also a hard worker with a thousand ideas racing through my mind. As a personal travel consultant and travel blogger, I share my passion for faraway destinations, thrilling adventures, and winter sports. With deep knowledge of places like Namibia, Colombia, the ABC Islands, and the Middle East, I’m here to help you craft a trip you’ll never forget. Through my personal stories and expert tips, I aim to inspire you to explore the world your way. Always with my camera in hand, I’m determined to capture every magical moment and share it with you.
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