//
Settlement in Namibia
Photo: Martin Allaire (www.martinallaire.com), CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Keetmanshoop is the capital of the ǁKaras region of southern Namibia. It's one of the main stopping points on the B1 between Windhoek and South Africa. Referred to in Namibia as Keetmans. At first, Keetmanshoop (pronounced keet-man-swoop), may seem like not much more than a quick stopover. The main reason for stopping at all is to refill on gas and check your tires (the dry, hot asphalt of the highway can make tires pop), but there is in fact much more to this town if you get the chance to discover it, either out of your own volition, or because your car breaks down.
From the travel guide. Select a place for details, a map and what is nearby.
Housed in the Rhenish Mission Church, a historic monument and well-known landmark. The church was built in 1895 in a Gothic architectural style, cast in African stone.
Historic church.
A 2 hectares protected area with about 200 quiver trees (Aloe dichotoma). The Giant's Playground, an area with millions of boulders that look like stacked on purpose, is another 3 km to the north-east. Worth a visit. Both are perfect for scenic photos and make the area around Keetmanshoop more than just an overnight-stay. If you want to save on the fee, there are quiver trees all over the place, some freely accessible, and there is a much larger quiver tree forest north-west of Keetmanshoop. Best photos are taken at sunset and at sunrise but you need to get your timing right because if you enter between sunset and sunrise you need a photographer's permit for a whopping 500 N$.
The meals are good value for money, even the light meals are quite big.
Restaurant, bar, and take-away. The food is only average.
The distillery produces white wine and spirits like gin, rum, grappa with a Namibian twist: Devil’s Claw flavour. They offer tastings and a restaurant that serves light lunches, coffee, cake and juices. If you can't make the detour, the products are also available in larger liquor stores in larger cities.
single/double room with own bathroom.
single/double room with own bathroom.
A nice, if somewhat dated, motel with pool and dining.
Rooms and a camp site. Swimming pool, WiFi, and drinks for sale at the reception, nice shaded area. Two cheetahs in captivity if you like this sort of thing. The camp site is functional and well maintained, with running water and AC power at every spot. But the place is not particularly nice. There is essentially no shade, and it is situated directly at the gravel road which brings noise and dust throughout the day.
single/double rooms.
The oldest German club in Africa, established in 1907. Now turned into a guesthouse.
Impressive hotel in the middle of nowhere, or actually, at an important railway junction. In the days of the diamond rush (started 1908) travellers to Lüderitz had to stay overnight to change trains, that's why the hotel was built. Bar and restaurant, both slightly overpriced. The menu is not very creative, toast with something or chips with something. There is a campsite with small trees and little shade, a bit neglected. Light is available, no power sockets. There is a small petrol station right on the campsite, and a small but deep pool. Wi-Fi is available near the bar but the owner asks that it is not used in the bar... rightfully so.
mastercard visa card atm.
lower prices.
By combie
Combies (shared taxis) travel regularly to Keetmans from various places in Namibia, including Windhoek, Lüderitz and Mariental. Combies also arrive in Keetmans from South Africa.
By train
Keetmanshoop is 10 hours by overnight mixed train (seats only, no sleepers) from Windhoek. The bus is a much better option.
Articles and travel topics about Keetmanshoop and Namibia.
Travel tipsFollow the Cricket World Cup 2027 in South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia. Plan match cities, stadium access, cross-border visas, and fan travel budgets.
8 min read
ItinerariesLearn how to plan a trip around major sports events in 2027, covering ticket deadlines, rooms, flights, and costs for the world's biggest tournaments.
7 min read
Travel tipsNamibia is a paradise for offroad driving; in fact, some of the ordinary roads are impassable for ordinary vehicles.
Wikivoyage
Travel tipsIt is quite common for travellers to buy gems or finished jewellery during a trip. Often price and selection are better in places where stones are mined, cut or set than elsewhere.
Wikivoyage
Every section of the guide. Open one to read it in full.