- Places To Stay

Nyae Nyae Conservancy, Tsumkwe - The camp is situated next to the traditional San Bushman village of //Nhoq'ma, offering a genuine bushman experience. The camp is built on top of a dune under Zambesi teak trees and overlook the Conservancy. The Meru safari tents set on wooden decking are generously spaced out to provide privacy and overlooking a watering hole. All have en-suite bathroom facilities with flush toilets, showers with hot water from gas geysers and rechargeable battery operated lighting. Their water is pumped from a nearby borehole that also supplies the local village with clean drinking water. Nhoma's newly built boma serves as a lounge/dining area and bar. Food at Nhoma is a simple affair, but wholesome and plentiful.

Nyae Nyae Conservancy, 80 km from Tsumkwe in Eastern Namibia

Nhoma Tented Camp is approximately 3 hrs drive from Grootfontein down a good quality gravel road. Only the last 200 m is very sandy and difficult for 2WD.

10 - Meru tents on raised platforms

£180 per person per night sharing

Accommodation, meals, drinks and activities

Children of all ages are welcome

The cultural experience at Nhoma is a truly genuine one. You are shown how the Ju/'hoansi bushman have lived in the past and how they still utilize the bush for food and medicine. Not only are ancient skills such as the making of fire, rope and arrows and the setting of traps demonstrated, but these are actually still actively used by the Ju/'hoansi tribe, who are dependent on the bush for meat. Hence a so called `demonstration' generally becomes an actual hunt for e.g. porcupine, hare or honey. There is no set route that is followed by the hunters - they will just look for fresh tracks to follow, collecting bush food along the way. Be prepared for a real bush walk, no paths are followed, for several hours. A real community spirit exists in this village of //Nhoq'ma. In the afternoon, the women eagerly await the hunters' return to see what they brought back.

Women and children participate in traditional games and some of the men will join in as well. In the evening you can witness a Giraffe or Elephant healing dance and be mystified by the ancestral medicinal trances and local herbal remedies prepared from the bush. These community events are not only their traditional way to cure illness, but are also a means to relieve potential social tensions. Bertus, a member of the Nhoma community will be your guide on many of these activities and can explain their way of life and answer any questions you may have. He speaks excellent English.

Building materials for the camp, such as thatch and poles, were bought from the local community, who were also employed to help built the camp and during the recent upgrades. All camp staff are members of the local community and some have been trained as guides.

Nhoma's vision is that the local community can support themselves through tourism. The community of about 40 adults and 80 children have a contract with Nhoma Camp and are paid a set amount per activity, e.g. games, hunting, dancing, which is increased on an annual basis by at least inflation. The community earned N$130,000 in 2007 and N$140,000 in 2008 from only about 200-250 visitors per year. This does off course not include what they earn from the selling of curios. This community project is ongoing with support being sought for the operation of a school at the village, the management of game in the area and the establishment of agricultural projects.

Cash in NAD only.

Hats, hiking boots and light-weight cotton trousers are essential (light or white clothing will dirty too much).