Cultural Visit to a Local Himba Village

Kaokoland is home to a population of some 12,000 Himba people - pastoralist herdsmen who travel with their goats and cattle from one waterhole to another as the seasons or conditions dictate.

The recent introduction of a Conservancy in the area will benefit the local people, with one of its long-term aims being to encourage re-introduction of the wildlife which was sadly destroyed in the 1980s during the Angolan - South African conflict. By contributing via the new tourism tax, our Guests are now assisting the local population to achieve some of their ambitions and to safeguard their individuality and lifestyle into the future.

Jewellery, adornments and grooming are all important elements in Himba culture, with the women spending much of their time on beauty care, including a unique full-body skin treatment which gives their flesh its characteristically intense, glowing red-brown colour.

The Himba people are proud yet friendly. With their permission we are allowed to visit a local village (kraal) to gain a unique insight into their history, culture, traditions and way of life which, unlike so many others elsewhere, survives virtually unchanged into the 21st century.