If you’ve visited any country in Africa, your experiences with local people will have offered a glimpse into the vibrant cultural landscape that makes this continent so unique. Often it’s the small moments, gestures and interactions with the people you meet that stay with you beyond the experience itself.
The continent of Africa is world-renowned for its astonishing diversity of peoples, so who better to visit than one of the most instantly recognisable tribes in Africa? Located deep in the heart of Northern Namibia, join us on an extraordinary journey to Kaokoveld, one of the most remote, untouched places on Earth and home of the Ovahimba tribe.
"Take the opportunity to meet the locals, learn about their customs, play with local children and hear their fascinating stories about life in this other-worldly region."
The Kaokoveld is a vast barren wilderness where undulating sand dunes and sparse trees contrast with the rolling expanse of desert. Despite the relentlessly challenging conditions in these semi-arid lands, around fifty thousand Ovahimba people live here in Northern Namibia and across Southern Angola. In one of Africa’s most alluring remote regions, visit this semi-nomadic rural tribe for a rich cultural immersion into their way of life.
The Ovahimba tribe’s story is simply remarkable; one of the last surviving tribes in the world that continue to practice their centuries-old traditions. With their earthy red body paint, soft leather skirts and intricately braided hair, they are visually striking and incredibly resilient, living a pastoral lifestyle here since the mid-sixteenth century. The men are skilled at hunting, herding cattle and often working far away, whilst the women complete manual labour and look after the home, only reuniting a couple of times a year.
Your knowledgeable local guide will escort you as you spend time with the Ovahimba, either during a Skeleton Coast safari or while staying at the luxurious camps on the Caprivi Strip. The distinctive tribe will welcome you to their village homesteads, where mud huts surround the Okuruwo – the central fire – at the heart of the community. Take the opportunity to meet the locals, learn about their customs, play with local children and hear their fascinating stories about life in this other-worldly region.
After an illuminating day full of rewarding moments with this tribal community, retreat to your preferred choice of luxury accommodation. Opt for Okahirongo Elephant Lodge, a sprawling boutique sanctuary presiding over the Hoarusib Riverbed where you can savour the magnificent landscape views whilst sipping sundowners. Alternatively, unwind on your elevated deck in one of the plush suites at Wilderness Serra Cafema, reflecting on a memorable day whilst taking in the spectacular surroundings of the Kunene Region’s desert oasis. With only eight rooms, you will have the tranquil surroundings almost entirely to yourself.
After this experience, you’ll appreciate why no visit to Namibia is complete without meeting this extraordinary community for a deeper understanding of their unique approach to life in this captivating country.
