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Nhoma Camp

Accommodation in Bushmanland

Nhoma Camp is a tented camp owned by the Ju/’hoan community of //Nhoq’ma and operated by. The community of about 40 adults and 80 children has earned between N$60 000 and N$90 000 per year since 2000 from cultural activities as well as accommodation in the camp. Arno Oosthuysen has been offering a cultural experience in the area for ten years and started working with this community in 1999. Because of the distance from Tsumkwe (80km), it was decided to build the camp so that visitors don’t have to be driven back to Tsumkwe after the healing dances in the evening. The camp can accommodate eight clients in twin safari tents, each with an adjoining grass-enclosed bathroom under Zambesi Teak trees on top of a dune. Building materials such as thatch and poles were bought from the community who helped build the camp. Members of the community also work in the camp and some will be trained as guides. The vision is that the community will be able to support themselves through tourism as well as agriculture. The project is an ongoing one with support being sought for the establishment of a school at the village and the management of game in the area.

The cultural experience is a guided activity wherein tourists are shown how the Ju/’hoansi have lived in the past and how they utilise the bush for food and medicine. Not only are ancient skills such as fire making, rope making and setting of traps for birds and antelopes demonstrated, but also lesser known hunting skills with, for example, the springhare probe, is demonstrated. Because the Ju/’hoansi are still active as hunters and dependant on the bush for meat, a demonstration can become an actual hunt. Honey is a favourite food, which is actively sought. There is lots of interaction between the visitor and the hunters who try to teach visitors their skills. In the afternoon, the community of //Nhoq’ma eagerly awaits the return of the hunters to see what they brought back. The entire community then participates in traditional games, which is followed by the Giraffe or Elephant healing dances.

The usual length of stay at Nhoma Camp is two nights, but it is possible to stay only one night or even longer. An “extreme cultural experience”, wherein visitors stay in the bush with Ju/’hoan hunters, actively hunting and gathering with them and learning survival skills, can be arranged. The visit to //Nhoq’ma can be combined with a stay at Tsumkwe Lodge (tours are also offered in the Nyae Nyae area for guests booked on full board and activity basis) or a tour to the Kaudum National Park. Visitors can choose to self-drive to //Nhoq’ma if they have a booking or they can stay at Tsumkwe Lodge and be transferred to //Nhoq’ma the following day.

Details: All Rooms | Some Rooms | Not Available Number of rooms: 9 Check in time: 14.00 Check out time: 10.00 Hotel / Lodge Facilities Room Facilities Children Restaurant Fitness Centre Swimming Pool Laundry Service Non Smoking Rooms Spa Lounge Disabled Access Internet Secure parking En-suite bathroom Television Telephone Room Service Mini Bar Air- Conditioning Fan Mosquito Nets Tea / Coffee Making In room safe High Chairs Cot Babysitting Activities Ju/'hoan (Bushmen) cultural experience Traditional dancing Kaudum National Park Safari

Other Accommodation in Bushmanland Bushmanland Accommodation Nyae Nyae Conservancy Tsumkwe Lodge

Rate - valid from 1 November 2006 - 31 October 2007

Fully Inclusive (FI)

Rates are subject to change without prior notice

Direction

Take the B8 from Grootfontein to Rundu for 59km and turn off onto the C44, which is a good gravel road. The turn-off to Nhoma is approximately 185 km down the road and the sign reads Nhoma/Aasvoelnes (to the north). Nhoma is 40km further on. This is a proclaimed road, normally in good condition, but it may deteriorate unexpectedly and it is advisable to keep below a speed of 80kmh. There is a parking area below the dune on which the camp is situated where you will be met.  Fuel is not available and guests should bring enough to reach their next destination!