Namibian life in Ondangwa

Bite-sized trip

Itinerary:
Ondangwa
Duration:
3 days / 2 nights (flexible)
Price:
From £ 289.- per person (excluding flights)
Transport:
Self-drive
Highlights:
✔ Immerse yourself in the traditional lifestyle of the Owambo people
✔ Stay in a traditional African-style lodge
✔ Contribute to a sustainable tourism project

Day 1 – Arrival at the homestead

Drive north to the ‘inhabited’ world of Namibia where more than half the total population lives. You’ll pass villages where local people lead a self-sufficient life in a traditional way. Goats, zinc huts, bars and food stalls characterise the street scene. In the afternoon, you will arrive at your small-scale African lodge. The lodge borders directly with a homestead that was set up by an Owambo couple keen to introduce visitors to their community. Tomorrow you will meet the villagers and have the opportunity to help with their daily activities and learn more about life here. Your dinner is included, so end the day with a tasty meal and a cold beer at the local shebeen, a colourful pub where you will soon bond with the friendly Owambos.

Day 2 – Helping out on the homestead

After enjoying a hearty breakfast, you will be helping the owner of the lodge with whichever activities are needed that day. One of the most important jobs of the Owambo is pounding maize for maize porridge and herding cattle, but you can also help with pottery or basket weaving. If you choose to take part in the latter, you may even get a souvenir to take home with you.

If you still have energy left after the morning’s activities, you can visit the local arts & crafts market in a nearby village or visit a bottle recycling project where 450 orphans are being cared for. Spend the evening tucking into another tasty dinner and relaxing around the campfire.

Day 3 – Bid farewell to the Owambo

After an engaging few days of learning about local life and contributing to projects supporting the Owambo people, you will say goodbye this morning and move on to your next destination.

From here, if you haven’t already visited the wildlife haven of Etosha National Park, then we suggest heading there. If you’re looking to hop over the border into Botswana, you could cruise down the Okavango Delta on a traditional mokoro, or search for wild African elephants in Chobe National Park