QUIVER TREE FOREST - KOKERBOOM FOREST
Kokerboom forest north-east of Keetmanshoop, a listed site, with a beautiful sunset landscape.
The kokerboom(Aloe dichotoma), literally "quiver tree", is a tree endemic to southern Africa. Rather than a tree, it is in fact a giant and robust plant, carried by a stiff and white trunk, topped by a ball of narrow and thick leaves. If the light of the sun irises it of gilded reflections, it likes to côtoyer the black rocks for the heat which they are able to store. It can reach 8 m in height and its rusticity allows it to resist the frost. Its capricious flowers, which only appear on trees that are at least thirty years old, only show their yellow shades in June or July. Many kokerbooms live on the mountainsides in southern Namibia. Their name "quiver tree" comes from the Bushmen's use of their bark, which they evidently use to carry arrows. To the north-east of Keetmanshoop, several dozen hundred-year-old trees have gathered to form a "real" forest, in the heart of rocky peaks beautifully sculpted by erosion. The site has been classified as a historical monument since 1955, the trees being a protected species. The Kokerboom forest offers a nice landscape (don't expect big trees, the ground is rocky, the trees not very high) and can be the object of a few hours to a day trip. It is highly recommended to come there for the sunset. Be careful, in summer, it can be very hot (bring a hat, water and sunscreen).
Book the Best Activities with Get Your Guide
Members' reviews on QUIVER TREE FOREST - KOKERBOOM FOREST
Giant's playground: attention à ne pas se perdre. Bien balisé au début mais moins à la fin! Les formations volcaniques sont impressionnantes.