Travel Guide Keetmanshoop

Capital of Southern Namibia, Keetmanshoop is at first sight the city of churches and gas stations! Between the Kalahari and the Namib, Keetmanshoop is the crossroads of the South. Founded in 1860 by a Rhineland mission, it has not stopped growing. The modern city center is also the administrative and commercial center. Relatively lively during the day, it becomes deserted as soon as the stores close, at 6pm at the latest. The neighborhoods on the opposite side of the railroad tracks (north and northwest) are the working-class neighborhoods, where the natives are grouped according to their ethnicity. The wide dirt streets, lined with small houses with gardens, remain lively until sunset. More than eighteen churches throughout the city gather the faithful on Sunday mornings. A day and night trip, including an excursion to Kokerboom (Quiver Tree Forest), will offer the traveler a rare opportunity to meet southern Namibians in this town where time seems to move a little more slowly.