The Namibia Culture Tour is a 7 day accommodated tour and cannot be ignored for anyone who has a fascination in the various cultures of Namibia, as it visits 3 of the most interesting cultural groups in Namibia; the Bushmen (San), Oshiwambo and Himba tribal groups. The tour also has the added attraction of a wildlife viewing element, as it includes a safari in Namibia's famous Etosha National Park. On the way there is:

• Okahandja - the former tribal center of the Herero people and old mission station.
• Tsumeb – displaying the life of the majority of Namibians and their history and culture, and work and skills in producing arts and crafts.
• The Ombili Foundation - until recently the Bushmen practiced a lifestyle of hunting and gathering. They will show you their traditional way of life in a 'Historic Living Village'. Also the foundation attempts to teach 350 Bushmen living on the farm to be familiar with the sowing , maintenance and harvesting of crops and to become 'farmers' as they are no longer hunters.
• Visit a Ndonga homestead, and observe a demonstration of wheat-crushing, basket-weaving, hair-plaiting, and traditional dancing and music.
• The Owamboland and it's Owambo people, who raise cattle, fish in the Oshonas, and farm. They are skilled craftsmen and make and sell basketry, pottery, jewelry, wooden combs, wood/iron spears, arrows, richly decorated daggers, musical instruments and ivory buttons.
• The Himba who have managed to maintain much of their traditional lifestyle, living under a tribal structure based on bilateral descent. (Where every member belongs to two clans, one through the father and another through the mother.) A local guide, accompanying the group, will negotiate a visit to a Kraal with the headman of the tribe, and will explain the lifestyle and the culture of the Himba people.
• A floodlit waterhole in Etosha, where wildlife can be viewed throughout the day, as well as at night.

Day 1: Windhoek - Tsumeb

Guest will be collected from their accommodation in Windhoek at about 07h45 and the tour departs from Windhoek to Tsumeb. En-route there is a stop at Okahandja to visit some Herero graves, the cemetery of the German Schutztruppe, and the Kavango woodcarvers market. The tour then heads via the large town of Otjiwarongo (pleasant place) the small agricultural town of Otavi and on to Tsumeb, the capital city of the Oshikoto region. The Cultural Village, an open-air museum, invites tourists to get an insight into the rural life and cultures of Namibian tribes. It displays the life of the majority of Namibians and tells about their history and culture, shows their work and skills in arts and crafts. A visit to the Mine Museum is also planned. Overnight in double rooms.
Meals: Dinner
Accommodation: Makalani Hotel

Day 2: Tsumeb - near Etosha

After breakfast the tour departs to Treesleeper Camp near Tsintsabis. It is home to the Hei//omn Bushmen, the former habitants of Etosha and its surroundings, and the !Kung Bushmen. After a light lunch (on own account) the drive proceeds to Farm Hedwigslust, the home of the Ombili Foundation. As the Ombili foundation is financing this project through donations, a gratitude of approximately N$'s 50.00 is very welcome. Overnight in double rooms with private shower/bath/toilet in the cozy Etosha Aoba Lodge, set in a Tamboti-Terminalia forest next to a dry river bed.
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
Accommodation: Etosha Aoba Lodge (alternative accommodation may be used)

Day 3: Owamboland

A drive north to Ovamboland, the most densely populated region of Namibia, with around 600,000 people. The Ovambo are divided into 9 kindred sub-tribes. First stop will be the Nakambale Museum at Olukondo, that represents the present and the past of the role of the Finnish Mission, the church and the local cultures. A traditional Owambo lunch will be served. Afterwards it's on to Oshakati via Ondangwa. Overnight in double rooms
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
Accommodation: Oshakati Country Lodge

Day 4: Owamboland - Opuwo

Today the tour travels through western Ovamboland, a landscape characterized by flat, sandy plains dotted with Makalani palms, savannah grasslands and Mopane woodlands. Different attractions will be visited, before continuing on to Opuwo via Ruacana. Opuwo Country Lodge is situated on a hilltop, north-west of the bustling town of Opuwo, and overlooks the surrounding valleys and mountains. Overnight in double rooms with private shower/bath/toilet.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Opuwo Country Lodge

Day 5: Opuwo - West Etosha

Today a typical Himba cultural settlement will be visited. The Himba, a nomadic sub-tribe of the Herero, still live to their old traditions and culture. They breed cattle and goats, the basis for their wealth, and their nomadic existence in the Kunene Region, (formerly Kaokoland) will be emphasized as several deserted Himba settlements will be seen along the way, a symbol of their lifestyle.
Then it's a return to Opuwo and proceed in a southernly direction to Hobatere Lodge at the western border of the Etosha National Park. In the afternoon guests are welcome to join a game drive at the lodge, home to a wide variety of Namibian game species including; elephant, lion, leopard, cheetah, giraffe, eland and zebra. Overnight in double rooms
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
Accommodation: Hobatere Lodge(or alternative)

Day 6: Etosha

With special permission, travel through the rarely visited western part of Etosha National Park and view oryx and many other antelopes that prefer this region, making it an ideal area for a safari. West of Okaukuejo is the well known Sprokieswoud, Phantom or Fairy Forest, the only location where the African Moringa tree grows in a flat area. Okaukuejo Camp has the added advantage of overlooking a permanent floodlit waterhole. A wide diversity of wildlife congregates and interacts here. Overnight in double rooms
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
Accommodation: Okaukuejo Rest camp

Day 7: Etosha - Windhoek

After a short safari game drive in the morning, the tour leaves the Etosha National Park. Returning to Windhoek is via Outjo, Otjiwarongo and Okahandja with a lunch stop en-route. Arrival in Windhoek is in the afternoon, marking the end of the tour.
Meals: Breakfast

Included

Tour in a group with an English speaking driver / guide.
Porterage & park-entrance-fees

Excluded

Beverages
Items of a personal nature
Tips
Travel Insurance

Route & Accommodation

The itinerary above is a guideline only and whilst we try to adhere to it there may be circumstances when it may change - for example weather and/or road conditions, seasonal daylight hours etc. Overnight stops on occasion may be altered from those indicated.