Three Day Eastern Namibian Central Kalahari Bushman and Batswana Tribes Safari
Join Uakii Wilderness on this exceptional camping expedition where we discover the lifestyles and traditions of some of Namibia’s oldest cultural groups. This three day safari is designed to give you an in-depth look into the lives of the San (Bushman) and Batswana tribes, allowing you to discover them up close and personal, as we witness their daily lives and activities. This is an ideal extension of your self-drive safari our tour.
· Learn about the real issues which face ordinary people in rural communities in the central Kalahari of eastern Namibia.
· Stay in a rural homestead – eat, taste, sleep and learn about the daily life of the local people.
· Visit the modern villages of both the San-Bushmen and the Batswana communities.
· Make friends with Namibians who you would not otherwise meet.
· Join a working tour with us as it goes about promoting rural development.
· Meet and stay with the host family.
· Be part and seek to assist local communities to be able to support themselves through income generation projects and community development programmes.
Day 1 : Windhoek – Okumetameta
(The Place of Smiles)
You will be collected from your accommodation in Windhoek or at the Hosea Kutako International Airport in the morning and then drive via the eastern village of Witvlei
and the town of Gobabis to our wilderness bush camp which is based on a local farm in the central Kalahari near the Buitepos border post. On arrival we first meet our
host family on the main local farm before going to our camp-site and meet our guides before putting up our tents. Our camp-site is in a wilderness environment. We enjoy
a relaxed afternoon. At around sunset the dinner is cooked over the open fire and the tranquillity of an evening in a remote wilderness environment invites for unwinding.
The evening after supper is spent stargazing and sharing stories with our hosts, the Bushmen (San) people.
Day 2 : Okumetameta - Batswana Village
We start the day with a morning bush-walk where we learning more about the Bushmen's hunting techniques such
as tracking and stalking. The women and men will teach us about many edible plants, where to look for them and how they are used, e.g. contraceptives and healing. Go on a
walk through the bush with a small clan of Bushmen local guides/family as they show you how they gather food, start fire with sticks, wind direction and get water from
underground roots. The game tends to concentrate on the farm and our chances of spotting different species or tracks are enhanced by the sharp eyes of the Bushmen local
guides.
We also visit their local traditional craft village spending time with them, gaining first-hand knowledge on how they make their crafts including bow and arrow. The duration of the walks is open-ended depending on the weather, your time and energy!
The emphasis during this outing is on bush experience and the guides will demonstrate how they make use of plants to provide for their needs. This is a great opportunity to learn more about the hunter-gatherer way of life. As you walk, the guides will explain the uses of different plants, identify animal spoor and demonstrate how to find everything necessary for survival in this wilderness. Get a close look at the rapidly disappearing culture of the last hunter-gatherers.
At about midday we continue to our next village, Epukiro with the historical Roman-Catholic Mission. We embark on a journey passing the commercial farm land while observing the changing environment of the central Kalahari. On arrival, we set up camp/check into our Batswana traditional huts. Then, accompanied by our local host/guide, we visit the modern village with shops, schools, and a clinic and share our views with the local communities. Our village local guides will take us around the village and mission so as to understand and witness the real life of the Batswana communities in their rural settings. This will be done on foot. We will also have the opportunity to experience an exceptional Batswana traditional dance combining music and the natural dancing rhythm, as well as the drama of the Batswana Boiteko communities. Guests will witness the Batswana Traditional food preparations and afterwards storytelling around the fire before we end the day. Camping on a shared basis.
Day 3 : Batswana Village – Windhoek
After breakfast we continue our journey back to Windhoek, making a short stop-over in Gobabis, enough to take part
in the Epako Township Tour, rounding off our cultural adventure. When all have bid their farewell, we head back towards our last destination, Windhoek. You can be dropped
off at the Hosea Kutako International Airport or on arrival in Windhoek at your accommodation of choice.
Should you rather prefer an accommodated safari, that is most definitely possible. Please contact us for an offer.