Africa Wild

Next on the places to visit is the petrified forest.

The Petrified Forest exists in an old river channel and is described as 'an occurrence of fossilized trees'. It lies 42km west of the small town of Khorixas in the Kunene Region (previously Damaraland) and this prehistoric relic comprises of 'clearly identifiable enormous fossilized tree trunks'.

The title Petrified Forest is a bit of a misnomer. It is neither a forest in the true sense of the word and neither did any of the trees 'turn to stone'. In prehistoric times huge tree trunks were washed down a river and deposited in alluvial sands. As they were isolated from any air, a process known as diagenesis took place and as a result sand that came under pressure through sedimentation turned into sandstone. The tree trunks then underwent another process known as silicification which causes liquids that seep into the wood causes the organic materials of the wood to dissolve and be replaced by silicic acid, fossilizing the wood by transforming it into stone.

This an extremely slow process and the end product is called 'wooden opal' as only the inner parts of the tree trunks became petrified, and an exact replica of every cell of each tree trunk was created. The petrified wood dates back to the Permian period, and about 200,000 years has passed since they first were washed down the ancient rivers.

Erosion has exposed many of the logs that can be seen today and many broken pieced were left lying around in an area of about 65ha. There are at least 2 fully exposed trees that measure up to 45m, even though the trunks are broken into chunks of about 2m.

Officially the Petrified Forest is situated 'on a small sandstone plateau, in extent some 731x272m, or around 20ha in the valley of the Anabib River, 40 miles south-west of Fransfontein in the district of Outjo'. It can be reached by vehicle on the road west between Khorixas and Twyfelfontein.

The Petrified Forest was proclaimed a national monument on 1st March 1950.

I can't see the pics but interesting to read!

i can see the pics : Agama posing , Welwitschia and petrified woood

Toko wrote:i can see the pics : Agama posing , Welwitschia and petrified woood

So can I

Was at Henties and Swakop 14 years ago...looks the same, and thanks for the info!

That sea is ridiculously cold!

Twyfelfontein (meaning "doubtful fountain"), is a massive, open air art gallery. With over 2,000 rock engravings, Twyfelfontein represent one of the largest and most important rock art concentrations in Africa. In June 2007 this striking natural red-rock gallery of tumbled boulders, smooth surfaces and history etched in stone was awarded World Heritage Site status, making it Namibia’s first and only UNESCO World Heritage Site to date.

The engravings are estimated to be up to 6,000 years old, and it is believed by many that their creators were San medicine people or shamans, who created their engravings as a means of recording the shaman’s experience among the spirits while in a trance. Among the most celebrated of the rock engravings at Twyfelfontein are a giant giraffe, a "lion man" with a hand at the end of its tail, and a dancing kudu.

35 percent of the revenue received from tourism through entrance fees at the Twyfelfontein World Heritage Site is shared with members of the local community to help them meet their basic needs. As a result, not only do tourists to the area benefit from local insight; local people are also made aware of the importance of preserving their cultural heritage for long-term benefit.

This is one of the nicest camp sites in Namibia, the camp is well shaded from old trees the facilities are generally good and to make everything a little more special during the dry season the desert elephants often bless Aba-Huab with their presence. The site provides ideal accommodation for visitors to Damaraland who wish to visit Twyfelfontein, the Burnt Mountain, organ Pipes and Petrified Forest.

The campsites are situated along the Aba-Huab river bed (nearly always dry as with nearly all rivers in Namibia), the ablution blocks include flushing toilets and some hot showers. All the sites are different but equipment may include fireplaces, tables, benches and taps. A bar is available while a restaurant is in the planning stages.

it seems there was Giraffes, Hyenas and lot of other Antelopes, even Ostriches
like the sceneries, specialy this one with the looooong shadow

Well done, Kesheshe, the Desert Elephants are unique

Incredible that the engravings have survived in the open for so long. Probably because it never rains

The desert elephants have always seemed a kind of miracle animals to me, thinking of how much water a normal African ellie needs.