The Quiver Tree Forest in Namibia

Early in the morning, on the next day after arrival to Windhoek, we directed to the south
Early in the morning, on the next day after arrival to Windhoek, we directed to the south.
Tropic of Capricorn: Latitude 23°30'1.19
Tropic of Capricorn: Latitude 23°30'1.19"S, Longitude 17°7'42.50"E.
A spiny shrub grows near the “Tropic of Capricorn” tourist attraction
A spiny shrub grows near the “Tropic of Capricorn” tourist attraction.
These thick spines belong to a spiny shrub which grows near Tropic of Capricorn
These thick spines belong to a spiny shrub which grows near Tropic of Capricorn.
This spiny shrub grows near Tropic of Capricorn at the following geo coordinates: -23.50031, 17.12837
This spiny shrub grows near Tropic of Capricorn at the following geo coordinates: -23.50031, 17.12837.
This “Tropic of Capricorn” road sign is located at -23.50031, 17.12837
This “Tropic of Capricorn” road sign is located at -23.50031, 17.12837.
Long fences are everywhere along the road from Windhoek to Keetmanshoop
Long fences are everywhere along the road from Windhoek to Keetmanshoop.
A long fence along the road serves as a protection barrier for wild animals
A long fence along the road serves as a protection barrier for wild animals.
We rented a car on the first day in Namibia, spent one night in Windhoek and the next day we drove to Keetmanshoop on this road
We rented a car on the first day in Namibia, spent one night in Windhoek and the next day we drove to Keetmanshoop on this road.
The road from Windhoek to Keetmanshoop is equipped with shaded parking places
The road from Windhoek to Keetmanshoop is equipped with shaded parking places.
The road from Windhoek to Keetmanshoop is covered with smooth and comfortable asphalt
The road from Windhoek to Keetmanshoop is covered with smooth and comfortable asphalt.
Such wonderful shaded parking places are everywhere on the road from Windhoek to Keetmanshoop
Such wonderful shaded parking places are everywhere on the road from Windhoek to Keetmanshoop.
There is the monument in Keetmanshoop commemorating the arrival of the first Karakul sheep in 1907
There is the monument in Keetmanshoop commemorating the arrival of the first Karakul sheep in 1907.
A car with the logo of Octagon Construction Windhoek is parked near Puma Keetmanshoop gas station
A car with the logo of Octagon Construction Windhoek is parked near Puma Keetmanshoop gas station.
Puma Keetmanshoop gas station
Puma Keetmanshoop gas station.
Puma Keetmanshoop gas station works 24 hours
Puma Keetmanshoop gas station works 24 hours.
An exotic tree of euphorbia species is in bloom at Puma Keetmanshoop gas station
An exotic tree of euphorbia species is in bloom at Puma Keetmanshoop gas station.
A tall blooming euphorbia tree grows at Puma Keetmanshoop gas station
A tall blooming euphorbia tree grows at Puma Keetmanshoop gas station.
TrenTyre Keetmanshoop electronics store
TrenTyre Keetmanshoop electronics store.
This is the entrance gates of Quivertree Forest Rest Camp
This is the entrance gates of Quivertree Forest Rest Camp.
An inscription in Quivertree Forest Rest Camp reads “All visitors enter at own risk, all visitors report to reception”
An inscription in Quivertree Forest Rest Camp reads “All visitors enter at own risk, all visitors report to reception”.
A compact low shrub of aloe species grows near the office of Quivertree Forest Rest Camp
A compact low shrub of aloe species grows near the office of Quivertree Forest Rest Camp.
The big round flower bed with succulent plants is created near the office of Quivertree Forest Rest Camp
The big round flower bed with succulent plants is created near the office of Quivertree Forest Rest Camp.
Aloidendron dichotomum dominates the big round flower bed near the office of Quivertree Forest Rest Camp
Aloidendron dichotomum dominates the big round flower bed near the office of Quivertree Forest Rest Camp.
This parking area belongs to Quivertree Forest Rest Camp
This parking area belongs to Quivertree Forest Rest Camp.
Aloe flower stalks are seen on the big round flower bed near the office of Quivertree Forest Rest Camp
Aloe flower stalks are seen on the big round flower bed near the office of Quivertree Forest Rest Camp.
An inscription located in the front of the Quivertree Forest office reads “You are entering a non smoking zone”
An inscription located in the front of the Quivertree Forest office reads “You are entering a non smoking zone”.
This is the reception of the Quivertree Forest office where you can buy the entrance tickets
This is the reception of the Quivertree Forest office where you can buy the entrance tickets.
The miniature statues of warthogs are situated at the entrance to the Quivertree Forest office
The miniature statues of warthogs are situated at the entrance to the Quivertree Forest office.
The Quiver tree is one of the most interesting plants of Namibia
The Quiver tree is one of the most interesting plants of Namibia.
The Quiver tree is not a tree, but an aloe plant
The Quiver tree is not a tree, but an aloe plant.
This parking area is located right at the beginning of the Quiver Tree Forest
This parking area is located right at the beginning of the Quiver Tree Forest.
The Quiver tree mostly occurs in black rock formations which absorbs a lot of heat during the summer
The Quiver tree mostly occurs in black rock formations which absorbs a lot of heat during the summer.
The botanical name of a Quiver tree is Aloidendron dichotomum
The botanical name of a Quiver tree is Aloidendron dichotomum.
Aloidendron dichotomum, formerly Aloe dichotoma, is named for its distinctive forked branching pattern
Aloidendron dichotomum, formerly Aloe dichotoma, is named for its distinctive forked branching pattern.
The Quiver tree is a stout tree up to 9 metres high with a smooth trunk which can be up to one metre in diameter at ground level
The Quiver tree is a stout tree up to 9 metres high with a smooth trunk which can be up to one metre in diameter at ground level.
The Quiver trees are usually found growing singly but in some areas the plants grow in large groups, giving the effect of a forest
The Quiver trees are usually found growing singly but in some areas the plants grow in large groups, giving the effect of a forest.
The rocks anchor the Quiver trees which have a spread-root-system
The rocks anchor the Quiver trees which have a spread-root-system.
The Quiver tree propogates only by seeds
The Quiver tree propogates only by seeds.
The Quiver trees in the forest are natural, no trees have been planted by humans
The Quiver trees in the forest are natural, no trees have been planted by humans.
As a result of its beauty, the Quiver tree has been named the national plant of Namibia
As a result of its beauty, the Quiver tree has been named the national plant of Namibia.
The Quiver Tree Forest was declared as a national monument on 1 June 1955
The Quiver Tree Forest was declared as a national monument on 1 June 1955.
The Quiver Tree Forest is located about 14 km north-east of the town of Keetmanshoop
The Quiver Tree Forest is located about 14 km north-east of the town of Keetmanshoop.
This low shrub grows in the Quiver Tree Forest
This low shrub grows in the Quiver Tree Forest.
The big Quiver trees in the forest are between 200 and 300 years old
The big Quiver trees in the forest are between 200 and 300 years old.
This small Quiver tree is almost dried up under the intense rays of the burning sun
This small Quiver tree is almost dried up under the intense rays of the burning sun.
The Quiver tree occurs only in South Africa and Namibia
The Quiver tree occurs only in South Africa and Namibia.
The Quiver tree is widely distributed in Namibia, ranging from the Orange River, northwards to Etosha Pan
The Quiver tree is widely distributed in Namibia, ranging from the Orange River, northwards to Etosha Pan.
The Quiver tree occurs in desert and semi-desert areas, where it grows in rocky areas
The Quiver tree occurs in desert and semi-desert areas, where it grows in rocky areas.
The Quiver tree is so named because native bushmen used to make quivers from the branches of the tree
The Quiver tree is so named because native bushmen used to make quivers from the branches of the tree.
The Quiver tree is covered in a thick, corky, yellowish bark that flakes into sharp-edged sections on the main trunk
The Quiver tree is covered in a thick, corky, yellowish bark that flakes into sharp-edged sections on the main trunk.
The Quiver tree is now classified as a vulnerable species
The Quiver tree is now classified as a vulnerable species.
Aloe littoralis grows in the Quiver Tree Forest
Aloe littoralis grows in the Quiver Tree Forest.
This low succulent shrub grows in the Quiver Tree Forest
This low succulent shrub grows in the Quiver Tree Forest.
This is the brick-coloured soil of the Quiver Tree Forest
This is the brick-coloured soil of the Quiver Tree Forest.
The Quiver tree has a stout stem that may grow to one metre in diameter
The Quiver tree has a stout stem that may grow to one metre in diameter.
The Quiver tree has well adapted to its environment
The Quiver tree has well adapted to its environment.
Aloe dichotoma is a relatively easy species to grow, but is slightly more difficult to propagate
Aloe dichotoma is a relatively easy species to grow, but is slightly more difficult to propagate.
The Quiver trees use a special internal adaptation known as “CAM metabolism”
The Quiver trees use a special internal adaptation known as “CAM metabolism”.
The Quiver Tree Forest is not a forest from storybook, however it is still quite a sight to see
The Quiver Tree Forest is not a forest from storybook, however it is still quite a sight to see.
About 250 quiver trees can be found in the Quiver Tree Forest
About 250 quiver trees can be found in the Quiver Tree Forest.
The Quiver tree stem and branches consist of a spongy fibre that can store large quantities of water over long periods of time
The Quiver tree stem and branches consist of a spongy fibre that can store large quantities of water over long periods of time.
Succulent grass grows in the Quiver Tree Forest between the stones
Succulent grass grows in the Quiver Tree Forest between the stones.
The Quiver Tree Forest or Kokerboomwoud in Afrikaans is a forest found in Namibia
The Quiver Tree Forest or Kokerboomwoud in Afrikaans is a forest found in Namibia.
The Quiver Tree Forest is a popular and a well-known tourist attraction in the southern part of the country
The Quiver Tree Forest is a popular and a well-known tourist attraction in the southern part of the country.
The Quiver Tree Forest is spontaneous, the highest quiver trees are up to 3 centuries old
The Quiver Tree Forest is spontaneous, the highest quiver trees are up to 3 centuries old.
The earliest record of A. dichotomum was made by Simon van der Stel
The earliest record of A. dichotomum was made by Simon van der Stel.
If you look attentively to the centre of the photograph, you will see the rock hyrax
If you look attentively to the centre of the photograph, you will see the rock hyrax.

The Ecology of The Quiver Tree Forest

The Quiver Tree Forest holds tremendous ecological value within its native landscape. Bright yellow flowers are born from June to July, when a huge variety of insects, birds and mammals are drawn to the abundant nectar. Sugarbirds lap at the nectar with their elongated tongues, while baboons climb into the plants and tear at the flowers to get to the nectar. The quiver tree is also an important nesting site for huge numbers of breeding sociable weavers (Philetarius socius). These gregarious birds build their communal haystack-like nests amongst the foliage, which offers the nestlings protection from high temperatures, as well as protection from predators. An entire flock of sociable weavers may nest in just a single quiver tree. The forest is home to the rock hyraxes living among rocks.

The rock hyraxes live in the Quiver Tree Forest
The rock hyraxes live in the Quiver Tree Forest.
A vertical stem of the Quiver tree protects it from direct sunlight during the hottest hours of the day
A vertical stem of the Quiver tree protects it from direct sunlight during the hottest hours of the day.
The yellowish bark and thin layer of white powder on the branches of the Quiver tree reflect most of the sunlight
The yellowish bark and thin layer of white powder on the branches of the Quiver tree reflect most of the sunlight.
Apart from their historical use by humans for arrow-quivers, these trees hold tremendous ecological value
Apart from their historical use by humans for arrow-quivers, these trees hold tremendous ecological value.
Aloe littoralis
Aloe littoralis.
Near the Quiver Tree Forest, there is another site of natural interest for its geology, the Giant's Playground
Near the Quiver Tree Forest, there is another site of natural interest for its geology, the Giant's Playground.
The Giant's Playground
The Giant's Playground.
The unique rock formations were caused by the erosion of underlying sedimentary rock around 170 million years ago
The unique rock formations were caused by the erosion of underlying sedimentary rock around 170 million years ago.

The Giant's Playground

Piles of big dolerite boulders at the Giant's Playground are between 160 and 180 million years old
Piles of big dolerite boulders at the Giant's Playground are between 160 and 180 million years old.
The Giant's Playground is a place where huge dolerite boulders seemed to have been placed in piles as if giants played lego with them
The Giant's Playground is a place where huge dolerite boulders seemed to have been placed in piles as if giants played lego with them.
The Giant's Playground looks like a giant had fun making piles with the stones
The Giant's Playground looks like a giant had fun making piles with the stones.
Close your eyes for a moment and imagine a group of young giants frolicking amongst stone formations
Close your eyes for a moment and imagine a group of young giants frolicking amongst stone formations.
The Giant's Playground is a place where giants are leaping from pedestal to pedestal
The Giant's Playground is a place where giants are leaping from pedestal to pedestal.
The Giant's Playground is a place where giants crouching behind the stones during a game of hide and seek
The Giant's Playground is a place where giants crouching behind the stones during a game of hide and seek.
The Giant's Playground is a geological phenomenon
The Giant's Playground is a geological phenomenon.
The Giant's Playground is a series of dolerite boulders have been packed as though a giant toddler was playing a game
The Giant's Playground is a series of dolerite boulders have been packed as though a giant toddler was playing a game.
Thousand years of water, wind and heat polished and smoothed out these rock formations at the Giant's Playground
Thousand years of water, wind and heat polished and smoothed out these rock formations at the Giant's Playground.
The Giant's Playground is situated on the Farm Gariganus
The Giant's Playground is situated on the Farm Gariganus.
The Giant's Playground lays a couple of kms to the east of the Farm Gariganus
The Giant's Playground lays a couple of kms to the east of the Farm Gariganus.
It is called the Giant's Playground because of the way in which the massive dolerite boulders have been placed one on top of another
It is called the Giant's Playground because of the way in which the massive dolerite boulders have been placed one on top of another.
The Giant's Playground is a place of strange rock formations
The Giant's Playground is a place of strange rock formations.
The Giant's Playground is a place of mazes
The Giant's Playground is a place of mazes.
The rock formations at the Giant's Playground make for a couple of hours of interesting hiking, plus you will get some good photographs
The rock formations at the Giant's Playground make for a couple of hours of interesting hiking, plus you will get some good photographs.
There are so many different strange rock formations you won't be able to decide which ones to photograph and which not to
There are so many different strange rock formations you won't be able to decide which ones to photograph and which not to.
The Giant's Playground is a place of amazing photo opportunities
The Giant's Playground is a place of amazing photo opportunities.
The Giant's Playground is wonderful and worth it to walk the circular footpath
The Giant's Playground is wonderful and worth it to walk the circular footpath.
The Giant's Playground is a spectacular site with giant heaps of rocks all balancing on one another
The Giant's Playground is a spectacular site with giant heaps of rocks all balancing on one another.
The rock formations at the Giant's Playground took place over millions of years
The rock formations at the Giant's Playground took place over millions of years.
This is the parking area at the Giant's Playground
This is the parking area at the Giant's Playground.
The Giant's Playground is scattered across a vast area
The Giant's Playground is scattered across a vast area.
The information board placed at the entrance to the Giants Playground reads: “Do not move the stones, it is dangerous”
The information board placed at the entrance to the Giants Playground reads: “Do not move the stones, it is dangerous”.
The Giant's Playground is also known for a dinosaur fossil found in the area
The Giant's Playground is also known for a dinosaur fossil found in the area.
The Giant's Playground seemed fake at first because you cannot fathom how this landscape is possible
The Giant's Playground seemed fake at first because you cannot fathom how this landscape is possible.
This prickle grows in the Giant's Playground area
This prickle grows in the Giant's Playground area.
The Giant's Playground is not a small area that could have been set-up by human hands
The Giant's Playground is not a small area that could have been set-up by human hands.
The Giant's Playground is a great place to wander and explore for hours
The Giant's Playground is a great place to wander and explore for hours.
This leafless tree grows in the Giant's Playground area
This leafless tree grows in the Giant's Playground area.
The Giant's Playground is amazing, as though someone has placed the boulders in the formations!
The Giant's Playground is amazing, as though someone has placed the boulders in the formations!
The rock structures and formations at the Giant's Playground are unbelievable
The rock structures and formations at the Giant's Playground are unbelievable.
The Giant's Playground is located a little further down the same road as the Quiver Tree Forest
The Giant's Playground is located a little further down the same road as the Quiver Tree Forest.
The Giant's Playground stretches for miles and miles of a surreal terrain, and it is not possible to grasp the amazing ways of nature
The Giant's Playground stretches for miles and miles of a surreal terrain, and it is not possible to grasp the amazing ways of nature.
The Giant's Playground offers the opportunity to walk amongst the giant boulders
The Giant's Playground offers the opportunity to walk amongst the giant boulders.
Admission to the Giant's Playground is included with the Quiver Tree Forest, so if seeing the first one might as well go to the second
Admission to the Giant's Playground is included with the Quiver Tree Forest, so if seeing the first one might as well go to the second.
The grass grows between the boulders at the Giant's Playground
The grass grows between the boulders at the Giant's Playground.