Bushman Experiences
The San (or Basarwa) people of the Kalahari are more commonly known as the Bushmen. The Kalahari is a vast desert that stretches over South Africa, Botswana and Namibia. Living in one of the most inhospitable terrains in the world, the San survived by hunting wild game and gathering roots and tubers. Many people outside of Southern Africa were introduced to the San culture and their “click ” language through the South African made movie “The Gods Must be Crazy”.
The San are considered to be the oldest culture in the world dating back over a hundred thousand years. Beautiful San rock art can be seen throughout Southern Africa where the San lived as hunter-gatherers.
Join us on an exceptional trip where we discover the lifestyles and traditions of some of Namibia’s oldest cultural groups. The experience is designed to give you an in-depth look into the lives of the San Bushman, allowing you to discover them up close and personal, as we witness their daily lives and activities.
Learn about the real issues which face ordinary people in rural communities and learn about daily life of the local people – Visit the modern villages of both the San Bushman and the Batswana communities – Make friends with Namibians whom 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 programs.
Terra Nova offers several interactive bushman visits, where a San guide will take you on desert walks. You will be shown how to collect bush foods, track animals, collect herbs and participate in music and dance.
- !Nhoma Safari Camp is a tented camp at Nhoma village, north east Namibia, 80km from Tsumkwe. Activities involve hunting with the Ju/’hoan hunters, bush food gathering, bush medicine, traditional games, the healing dance and tours to Khaudum National Park. This is an authentic San/Bushman cultural experience in Namibia. The village and camp is on the ancestral land of the Ju/’hoansi in a remote area.
- 8-Day Bushman Trail Safari: This is a good tour to add on to any Namibian itinerary. The 3 day tour starts and finishes in Tsumeb and introduces you to the art, culture and tracking of the San in this region of the Kalahari.
- 10-Day Luxury Safari in the Kalahari: Mobile tented camps and upscale accommodation make this safari in Namibia and Botswana a luxury option for those interested in both wildlife and San culture. Game tracking and hunting with bows and arrows are offered among many more activities.
