Okumetameta Wilderness Experience |
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 The Bushmen are the oldest ethnic group in Namibia having inhabited Southern Africa for an estimated 20.000 years. The South African \"homeland\" policy forced them to settle in remote \"THE GREAT KALAHARI’’. The friendly people still live a traditional life as hunters and gatherers. Whereas the women collect wild fruits, berries and wild onions rich in starch, the men pursue hunting. The Bushmen have a deep understanding of nature and the ecology. They are able to identify hundreds of plant species and are known to be excellent animal trackers. Our tour is conducted from an expedition style base-camp within a private farm in the Kalahari Desert.Our tours are predominately skills based with a large emphasis on you, the guest or student, gaining first hand experience. We guide you carefully through each activity in a form of talks, explanation and demonstration, leaving time for you to try it yourself and employ the skills, under the expert guidance of our local instructors. |
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Tour Information |
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| Rates are per person: 2-4 participants =N$13\'850.00 per person 5 upwards: = N$8560.00 Per person Duration: 5 Nights, 6 Days Departure Time: At 08h30 Departs from: Windhoek Vehicle Type: Depends on the size of the group Description of facilities: Camping on a sharing basis |
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Intinerary |
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| In Namibia the cultures of the people have been so adversely affected by civilization over time, that today it is highly unlikely to find a tribe that has not been exposed to westernization. Europeans first explored Namibia in the early 1400s and the indigenous tribes’ way of life have been altered ever since. Sadly, the most significant changes to the way of life of the indigenous people took place in the 1800s when missionaries and explorers started to establish a permanent presence among the people of Namibia. Day 1: Departure from Windhoek to our based camp/farm in the Great Kalahari where we will make camp. Whilst sitting around the campfire you will learn more from the local people and their lives. Dinner included Day 2 & 3- Okumetameta: Practical lessons in stalking, hiding, how to light a fire the Bushmen way. Making fire the Bushman way is also part of your Kalahari walk and the paramount significance of this primal element will come alive for you as you watch the fire sticks working their magic. Today you will make your own rope from natural fibres and try out several trapping techniques. Make your own bow and arrow and learn how to use it and control your traps and snares. Try your hand at making the seemingly frail bow and arrow, and with any luck, your guide will find the beetles used to make the potent hunting poison. They also teach us to make our own ostrich egg pearls and jewellery in the old Bushmen tradition. During these days we will be taught singing, dancing, playing games, and might learn a few words of this difficult language and a little song; we shoot our bow, throw a spear and might watch the traditional doctor healing a patient. Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner included Day 4-Okumetameta: Dawn’s early light finds you walking the Kalahari sands, with your Bushman guide in preparation of another day in the bushveld. Your Bushman guide, at times accompanied by an interpreter, will stop frequently to point out a tree, leaf, bush or underground tuber that is either eaten raw, roasted or boiled, or ground into a powder and made into a natural remedy. An opportunity of gaining knowledge on edible and traditional medicinal plants. They will give you a glimpse...Tonight we will sleep out in the bush around the fire under the African stars and experience a great deal of life out there, just as they did in the pass. Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner included Day 5-Okumetameta: During the morning walk returning to our based camp, your Bushman guides will share their rich heritage of accumulated knowledge that makes the Bushman masters of this harsh environment and introduce you to the ethnobotany and ecology of the surroundings. The San’s skill at tracking animals is unparalleled; your guide can not only identify the type of animal from a spoor but also its sex, speed, whether it was hungry or not. You will learn the basic art of tracking, silent communication, movements and wind directions. There is also an opportunity to experience a great part of farm life based on their day-to-day activities including join cow milking, making of local cream and witness how they are working in the field. Meet the locals working on the farm and visiting their homesteads and just spend time with them. Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner included Day 6: After breakfast we break down camp and return to Windhoek. Here we say goodbye to our friends & the host family before returning to Windhoek. Breakfast included |
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Recommendations |
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| Comfortable walking shoes, wide brim hat, sun screen, sunglasses & personal water bottle (2litres), small back pack to carry your water for the walk.Warm jacket, (summer & winter), flashlight, camera & film. |
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Terms and Conditions |
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| Inclusive in our Rates: Transport, Fuel, Driver and Guide Passenger Liability Camping fee & camping equipments only as per itinerary Meals as per Itinerary including tea/coffee and tap drinking water Activities only as per itinerary Community, village guide and Local Instructors fees Landlord fees Visits to the farm Pick up/drop off from accommodation in Windhoek Excluded in our Rates: All expenses of a personal nature Flights to/from or outside Namibia Personal Travel/Medical insurance Activities not stated in the itinerary or not mentioned (optional) All extras not mentioned in the itinerary - personal expenses, alcoholic beverages, tips/porterage/gratuities (e.g. laundry, souvenir purchases, telephone charges). Personal Medical-/Travel-/and Luggage Insurance Sleeping Bag (available for hire at N$ 25.00 per day) Other private tours before or after your Uakii experience International airport and airport passenger taxes First and/or last day accommodation in Windhoek (kindly advise when making your booking whether we could assist in this regard) BOOKING TERMS AND CONDITIONS UAKII WILDERNESS SURVIVAL Only written reservation requests will be accepted. Acceptance of UAKII WILDERNESS SURVIVAL quotations must be confirmed with a 50% non-refundable deposit of the full booking value. Balance payments are due 30 days prior to the commencement of UAKII WILDERNESS SURVIVAL services. Reservations made within 30 days prior to commencement of UAKII WILDERNESS SURVIVAL services are to be paid in full upon receipt of UAKII WILDERNESS SURVIVAL confirmations. Cancellations of services in part or in full become valid on the day of receipt of the written notification by UAKII WILDERNESS SURVIVAL and attract the following cancellation charges: o up to 90 days prior to commencement of UAKII WILDERNESS SURVIVAL services : 50% o up to 60 days prior: 75% o up to 30 days & no-show: 100% |
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