Bushman and Botswana Tribes Safari

Join us on an exceptional expedition where we discover the lifestyles and traditions of some of Namibia’s oldest cultural groups. This 3 day safari is designed to give you an in-depth look into the lives of the San Bushman and Botswana tribes, allowing you to discover them up close and personal, as we witness their daily lives and activities.

Price: (Valid Jan 2010 - Dec 2010)
N$ 6,555 pps
3 Days Safari

Highlights * Kalahari Bushman * Botswana Tribes * Stay in a rural homestead

Departs from: Cape Town - Ends: Livingstone

Includes
* Vehicle, Fuel & a local Namibian experienced driver-guide
* Camping in traditional hut- twin beds/mattress sharing basis
* Bushman & Botswana cultural activities as per itinerary
* Community and Landlord Fees Any
* Epako Township Tour
* Local village visits
* Meals as per itinerary
* Pick up & drop off from your accommodation in Windhoek
Administration fees

Bushman and Botswana Tribe Itinerary

Meal codes [B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner]

Day 1 WINDHOEK [Camping LD]
You will be collected from your accommodation in Windhoek from about 08h30, before setting off to our wilderness bush camp. We travel via the eastern town of Witvlei to our overnight destination, based on a local farm in the Kalahari near the Buitepos Border. On arrival we first meet our host family on the main local farm before going to our camp site to meet our guides. After setting up camp in our wilderness setting, we have the afternoon here to relax and recuperate. As the sun dips beyond the horizon we can enjoy dinner which has been prepared for us over an open fire, surrounded by the tranquility of the evening in a remote wilderness environment. After dinner, our hosts the Bushmen people will share their stories with us as we sit under the starry sky.
Includes: N/A
Overnight: Camping - basic facilities
Distance/time: approx. 325 km - Okumetameta

Day 2 Okumetameta -Botswana Village [Camping BLD]
We start the day with a morning bushwalk where we learn more about the Bushmen 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. We then go on a walk through the veld with a small clan of Bushmen local guides/family as they show us how they gather food, start fires with sticks, how to tell the wind direction and get water from underground roots. The game tends to concentrate on the farm and our chances of spotting different species or spoors 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 spoors and demonstrate how to find everything necessary for survival in this wilderness. We are privileged to get a close look at the rapidly disappearing culture of the last hunter-gatherers.

Round about midday we continue to our next village, the Historical Epukiro Mission. We embark on a journey, passing the commercial farm land while observing the changing environment of the Kalahari. On arrival we set up camp or check into our Botswana traditional huts. Then, companied 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/mission so as to understand and witness the real life of the Botswana communities in their rural settings. This will be done on foot. We will also have the opportunity to experience an exceptional Botswana traditional dance, combining music and the natural dancing rhythm, as well as the drama of the Botswana Boiteko communities. Guests will witness the Botswana Traditional food preparations and afterwards story telling around the fire before we call it a day.
Includes: N/A
Overnight: Camping - basic facilities
Distance/time: approx. 225km

Day 3 WINDHOEK [B]
After breakfast we continue our journey back to Windhoek, making a short stop-over in Gobabis and giving us enough to take part in the Epako Township Tour, rounding off our cultural adventure. When all have bid their farewells, we head back towards our last destination, Windhoek. On arriving back in Windhoek, you will be dropped you off at your accommodation.
Includes: Drop off at your accommodation.
Overnight: Tented Lodge – twin permanent tents with shared facilities, restaurant & bar
Distance/time: approx. 320km

Please note:
The distance and travel times quoted above are an estimate only, and subject to local road conditions and photo stops!

PRE & POST TOUR ACCOMMODATION:
This tour departs from Windhoek, please make sure that you are there well ahead of time. This tour ends in Windhoek.