We go on the “pad” to the petrified forest near Khorixas, which means something like street. We left Kamanjab most likely for ever. The scenery is wonderful and we come to Khorixas, where we camp and accidentally meet a couple with a Land Rover, that we had met months earlier in Nairobi. Africa is small.
The gravel roads are perfect in Namibia. Exemplary maintained and they, therefore, allow very high speeds, which ensures a fast progress. So we are also quick at petrified Forest.
With a guide, we wander through the site. The partially completely preserved petrified trunks of a primeval forest are distributed in the landscape. They grew 300 million years ago, but not here. It is believed that they were transported by rivers. Fossilization takes place under air. The trunks were covered with sand, thus they could not rot.
Then acid water penetrated into the cells of the wood and thus layer by layer became stone. Good to recognize are the annual rings. Between the trunks grows Welwitschia, a wonderful place,when it is noon, however, it gets very hot.
It is a popular tourist destination located in the Kunene Region of Namibia, Africa. It is a vast area of land that contains ancient trees that have been turned to stone, estimated to be around 280 million years old. The Petrified Forest is believed to have formed during the Permian period when the area was covered by a vast forest. The trees were gradually buried under layers of sediment and over time, the organic matter was replaced by minerals, resulting in the petrification of the trees.
Today, visitors can see the petrified tree trunks and stumps that have been exposed by erosion. The trees are now made of stone, but their original shapes and textures can still be seen. Some of the trees are up to 30 meters in length and several meters in diameter.
In addition to the petrified trees, the area is also home to a variety of wildlife, including baboons, kudus, and various species of birds. It is a unique and fascinating natural wonder that offers visitors a glimpse into the ancient past of the Earth.