Highlights in the Surrounding Area
Alte Kalkofen Lodge, located in southern Namibia, is an ideal base for exploring some of the region’s most iconic tourist attractions. A drive away, Fish River Canyon offers breathtaking viewpoints over Africa’s largest canyon, while the eerie ghost town of Kolmanskop provides a fascinating glimpse into Namibia’s diamond mining past. Closer to the lodge, the Quiver Tree Forest near Keetmanshoop showcases centuries-old quiver trees, creating a striking landscape perfect for photography. With its central location, the lodge offers a peaceful retreat amid Namibia’s rugged beauty, making it a great stop for travellers exploring the south.
Wish we had stayed here and driven to Fish River Canyon for a day trip.
lynngo58, TripAdvisor
Fish River Canyon
The Fish River Canyon, located in southern Namibia, is Africa’s largest canyon and one of the country’s most striking natural wonders. Carved by the Fish River over millions of years, the canyon stretches for about 160 kms, up to 27 kms wide and reaching depths of up to 550 meters. Visitors can admire breathtaking panoramic views from the main viewpoints near Hobas, although it is worth noting that hiking into the canyon requires a special permit. The canyon is best visited during the cooler months (April to September). Wildlife such as klipspringers, mountain zebras, and various bird species can sometimes be spotted, adding to the experience in this vast and dramatic wilderness.
The Fish River is the longest interior river in Namibia. It cuts deep into the plateau which is today dry, stony and sparsely covered with hardy drought-resistant plants. The river flows intermittently, usually flooding in late summer; the rest of the year it becomes a chain of long narrow pools.
Distance: 190kms (view point)
Kolmanskop Ghost Town
Kolmanskop is a ghost town in the Namib Desert in southern Namibia, a few kilometer’s inland from the port town of Lüderitz. It was named after a transport driver named Johnny Coleman.
In 1908 the worker Zacharias Lewala found a diamond while working in this area and showed it to his supervisor, the German railway inspector August Stauch. Realizing the area was rich in diamonds; German miners began a settlement, and soon after the German government declared a large area as a “Sperrgebiet“, starting to exploit the diamond field.
Driven by the enormous wealth of the first diamond miners, the residents built the village in the architectural style of a German town. It had a railway link to Lüderitz. The town declined after World War I when the diamond-field slowly exhausted and was ultimately abandoned in 1954. The geological forces of the desert mean that tourists now walk through houses knee-deep in sand. Kolmanskop is popular with photographers for its settings of the desert sands’ reclaiming this once-thriving town.
Distance: 230kms
Quiver Tree Forest
The quiver tree or “kokerboom” is one of the most interesting and characteristic plants of the very hot and dry parts of Namibia and the north-western part of the Cape Province in South Africa. Actually it is no tree, but an aloe plant. The botanical name is aloe dichotoma. Dichotoma refers to the forked branches of the plant. “Koker” is the Afrikaans word for quiver and is used because some Bushmen and Hottentot tribes used the tough, pliable bark and branches to make quivers for their arrows.
The trees in the forest near Keetmanshoop are natural. No trees have been planted by humans. The quiver tree forest was declared as a national monument on 1 June 1955. The big trees in the forest are between 200 and 300 years old.
Distance: 115kms
Giants Playground
Giant’s Playground, located near Keetmanshoop in southern Namibia, is a fascinating geological site known for its massive dolerite boulders stacked in unusual formations. These natural rock sculptures, shaped by volcanic activity and erosion over millions of years, resemble a giant’s attempt at arranging stones, giving the area its name.
Visitors can explore the maze-like landscape on self-guided walking trails, offering great opportunities for photography and appreciating the stark beauty of Namibia’s semi-arid terrain. The site is often visited in combination with the nearby Quiver Tree Forest, home to centuries-old quiver trees, which adds to the unique appeal of this off-the-beaten-path destination.
Distance: 115kms
Luderitz
Lüderitz, a coastal town in southern Namibia, is known for its unique blend of German colonial architecture, rugged Atlantic coastline, and rich maritime history. Founded in 1883, the town retains its old-world charm with colorful buildings, seafood restaurants, and a picturesque harbor. Nearby, the ghost town of Kolmanskop offers a fascinating glimpse into Namibia’s diamond mining past. Lüderitz is also the gateway to Shark Island, a site of historical significance, and Diaz Point, where Portuguese explorer Bartolomeu Dias planted a stone cross in 1488. Visitors can explore the windswept coastline, spot flamingos and other birdlife in the surrounding lagoons, or take a boat tour to see Namibia’s only penguin colony at Halifax Island.
Distance: 240kms
Desert Horses
The desert horses of the Namib are rare feral horses. They are probably the only feral herd of horses residing in Africa, with a population ranging between 70 and 150. They are athletic in appearance, resembling the European riding horses from which they probably descends, and usually dark in colour. Despite the harsh environment in which they live, the horses are generally in good condition, except during times of extreme drought. The horses have been the subject of several population studies, which have given significant insight into their population dynamics and ability to survive in desert conditions.
The origin of these horses is unclear, though several theories have been put forward. Genetic tests have been performed, although none to date have completely verified their origin. The most likely ancestors of the horses are a mix of riding horses and cavalry horses, many from German breeding programs, released from various farms and camps in the early 20th century, especially during World War I. Whatever stock these horses are descended from, they now congregate in the Garub Plains, near Aus, and the location of a man-made water source. In 1993 a hide was built, making this a tourist highlight between Lüderitz and Keetmanshoop.
Distance: 140kms
Duwisib Castle
A castle is the last thing you would expect to see when you drive through the vast farm lands and deserts of Namibia. Duwisib Castle sometimes spelled Duwiseb or Duweseb is a grand pseudo-medieval looking fortress in the hills of the semi-arid Southern Namib region of Namibia. It was built by ‘Baron’ Captain Hans Heinrich von Wolf (born in Dresden in 1873), who was posted to the then German South-West Africa. The sand stones used for construction were carried approximately 2 km from the castle. Furniture was imported from Germany and stone masons were hired from Italy, Sweden and Ireland. Today, this national monument is open to the public as a museum offering visitors a glimpse into early 20th-century colonial life with its collection of period furniture, artefacts, and equestrian memorabilia.
Distance: 230kms
We wanted a place to spend the night on our way to Fish River Canyon, and this lodge exceeded all our expectations (and then some). Welcoming and helpful staff. Excellent pool. Delicious food and breakfast spread.
Amy L, Google Reviews