. . . Activities

 

San Village Activities

Visitors to Tsumkwe Country Lodge are from different walks of life. Ranging from researchers, project managers, corporates, and tourists, we aim to host every individual guest to the best of our ability and make every experience memorable. The core reason why most visitors come to Tsumkwe is to visit a San village. In our local language we refer to the San as “Bushmen” because of their culture and nomadic lifestyle but, in more respectful terms they are the Ju/’hoansi San people of Tsumkwe. As modern westerners, we have lost many of our social skills and values which the San still practice in their culture and communities. In turn, the San are losing their cultural heritage as civilization continues to encroach on their way of life and environment. The San communities can no longer survive exclusively by hunting and gathering thus, they require a local perspective for education and training. It requires a well-informed approach with respect for the precious but rare value systems of traditional hunter-gatherer societies. By supporting the few traditional villages that strive to hold on and perform their ancient culture, Tsumkwe Country Lodge promotes and encourages visitors to participate on activities that will help the San to generate their own finances through tourism.

Traditional San Village activities

All bookings for the San Village Activities are handled by Weavers Tourism & Marketing Services CC

San Village Activity Information and Rates.

 

  • Activities are based on a minimum of two persons
  • Rates on this sheet are Nett and not commissionable – (Proceeds go directly to the Ju/’hoansi community Villages)
  • We make use  of various villages for equal distribution of income derived from these activities. The closest village is 4 km from Tsumkwe town and the furthest village is 30 km north from town towards the Khaudom National Park. All the villages are accessible by 2×4 vehicles, trucks, and small busses.
  • ** Visitors must drive themselves to the San village in their own vehicle **
  • Payment for activities must be made directly with the reservations office when booked together with accommodation.

“The following should be noted when participating on activities”

Take enough drinking water to stay hydrated, between 2 to 5 Lt per person. If you do a full day activity you should take a snack or lunch pack along. You can order this at the lodge the day before your activity.

Clothing for the activity: Wear comfortable shoes and light clothing that will protect your neck and arms from the sun. Bring a wide rim hat and sunglasses and use suncreen on your face.

Children: Small children younger than 6 years are not recommended for these activities. Walking a distance in the veld while it is hot will be challenging for younger children.
Children between the ages of 6 years up to 11 years pay half price.

Activities & Rates 2024.

Activities & Rates 2025.

Traditional hunt for meat and veld food Accompanied by San hunters, in search of warthog, springbok, springhare, porcupine, and large birds. It is not guaranteed that you will have success but, the thrill of tracking and stalking potential prey is exhilarating.
**Price per person for half day N$280.00 (Morning time +/- 4 hours)
**Price per person for full day  N$400.00 (1 full day)


Bush walk
with snaring, tracking, and collecting bush food. Game tracks in the sand will put you on the spoor of Elephant, Oryx, Kudu, Wildebeest, Hartebeest, Warthog, Giraffe, Porcupine and even birds such as Guineafowl and Sandgrouse
**Price per person N$250.00 (Duration +/- 1.5 hours)

Craft making in the village. Create your own bow and arrow and learn the technique of lighting a fire with “fire sticks”. Weave rope from plant fibres and how to set a snare. The ladies will demonstrate the art of beading and shaping ostrich eggshell for bangle and necklace jewellery.
**Price per person N$250 (Duration +/- 2 hours)

Traditional Sing and dance reverberate over the rhythmic drumming of feet on the sand and rustle of leg beads and pods around the campfire. Join in while the San woman playout their ritual games and the men mimic the movement of antelope and giraffe.
**Price per person N$200.00 (Duration +/- 1.5 hours)

Filming at any of San village or other location within the Nyae Nyae Conservancy requires permission. For such inquiries and pricing please contact us on the above e-mail address.

Traditional hunt for meat and veld food Accompanied by San hunters, in search of warthog, springbok, springhare, porcupine, and large birds. It is not guaranteed that you will have success but, the thrill of tracking and stalking potential prey is exhilarating.
**Price per person for half day N$311.00 (Morning time +/- 4 hours)
**Price per person for full day  N$444.00 (1 full day)


Bush walk
with snaring, tracking, and collecting bush food. Game tracks in the sand will put you on the spoor of Elephant, Oryx, Kudu, Wildebeest, Hartebeest, Warthog, Giraffe, Porcupine and even birds such as Guineafowl and Sandgrouse
**Price per person N$278.00 (Duration +/- 1.5 hours)

Craft making in the village. Create your own bow and arrow and learn the technique of lighting a fire with “fire sticks”. Weave rope from plant fibres and how to set a snare. The ladies will demonstrate the art of beading and shaping ostrich eggshell for bangle and necklace jewellery.
**Price per person N$278 (Duration +/- 2 hours)

Traditional Sing and dance reverberate over the rhythmic drumming of feet on the sand and rustle of leg beads and pods around the campfire. Join in while the San woman playout their ritual games and the men mimic the movement of antelope and giraffe.
**Price per person N$222.00 (Duration +/- 1.5 hours)

Filming at any of San village or other location within the Nyae Nyae Conservancy requires permission. For such inquiries and pricing please contact us on the above e-mail address.

Trainings & Projects

 

The Chief Bobo Training Centre was opened in 2022 with the assistance and funding of Ubuntu Namibia, a German Cooperation. The aim with the center is to facilitate basic training classes for the local San community.

This initiative was the brainchild of Chief Bobo of the Ju/’hoansi community. His legacy has laid the stepping-stone for education and upliftment under the marginalized San people who mostly live in poverty with very few employment opportunities.

Courses vary from basic business & budgeting course, computer literacy, agricultural, gardening, child-care, anti-violence against woman, only to mention a few.

Since its inception, over 50 successful training sessions have been presented by various

organizations and facilitator’s who have left a positive influence on the community and the great initiative of the Tsumkwe San leaders. 

 

The vegetable garden at Tsumkwe Lodge is one such project.

Our San gardeners are immensely proud of the fruit and veg they produce for guests’ consumption at the lodge.

Our vegetable garden is a source of freshness and supply when most needed.

Customer Info

Check-in time:    14h00

Check-out time: 10h00

Reception Hours: 07h00 to 21h00 daily

Contact Lodge: +264 (067) 687 842

Bookings

Use any of the "book Online" buttons or
send an email direct to:
reservations.tsumkwe@travel-weaver.com

Reservation Office: +264 (067) 240 901

Emergency Cell: +264 (0)81 276 3974