Himba Village Tours
Every tour group arriving at Omapaha will be welcomed at the reception by one of our well-trained guides, who will greet you in English and introduce you to the experience ahead.
Guests will first complete the necessary formalities, such as signing the guest register and making payment, or presenting a voucher if the tour has been pre-booked.
A standard guided tour lasts approximately one and a half to two hours.
From the reception area, guests will walk with the guide to the Himba village, which is located a short distance away. Before entering the village, the guide will explain the important cultural guidelines and etiquette required when visiting a Himba community. Understanding these customs beforehand ensures a respectful and meaningful experience for both visitors and the village residents.
Upon entering the village, guests will first greet the chief or head of the homestead, as well as the women and children. During the tour, the guide will explain the construction of the traditional huts, the materials used, the cattle kraal, and the sacred fire within the village and its cultural significance. The guide will lead guests through the village from hut to hut while explaining traditional clothing, hairstyles and the time and process involved, jewelry and its meaning, as well as the cultural differences between boys and girls within the community.
Visitors may observe various traditional activities such as grinding red ochre, tanning animal skins used for clothing, making butter in a calabash, preparing herbs for cleansing rituals, and creating handcrafted jewelry. Goat milking may also be seen in the morning or afternoon depending on the daily schedule of the village.
Inside the main hut, guests will be shown the traditional tools, equipment, and clothing used in everyday life. The guide will also explain the different areas of the hut designated for men, women, and children, as well as the indoor fireplace. A cleansing ritual will also be demonstrated by one of the Himba women.
At the end of the tour, the Himba community will perform a traditional demonstration of singing, dancing, and rhythmic clapping as a gesture of appreciation for your visit.
Afterwards, the Himba people will display a small craft market on the ground where guests are welcome to view and purchase handmade crafts and jewelry directly from the community.
Throughout the tour, guests are welcome to take photographs and short videos of their experience.
Guests are also encouraged to ask questions at any time during the tour. Our guide will gladly assist as a translator if you would like to communicate directly with members of the community.
Tour operators typically schedule lunch between 13h00 and 15h00, and tours therefore usually commence from 15h00 onwards.
In Himba culture, children traditionally assist with daily responsibilities such as herding cattle and goats. For this reason, most children in the village continue to be raised according to traditional customs and the decisions made by the village elders when the settlement was established.
A small percentage of children attend formal schooling. This balance allows the community to maintain its traditional way of life while still supporting education where possible. The intention is to preserve the Himba culture and traditions for future generations.
These decisions are made solely by the elders and the chief of the tribe. We, Jaco and Jakkie, as coordinators of this project, respect these cultural decisions and do not influence them. Guests who wish to donate stationery for the children are kindly asked to deliver these items to the school teacher rather than to the village, so they can be distributed fairly among the children attending school.
NO ALCOHOL IS ALLOWED ON THIS TOUR OR WITHIN THE VILLAGE!!!
Alcohol has unfortunately had a negative impact on many traditional cultures, and we strictly prohibit it in order to protect and respect the Himba way of life.
TOURS:
- Tour times: 08h00 to 18h00.
- Tours last approximately 1½ to 2 hours. We prefer not to conduct tours between 13h00 and 15h00, as this is the traditional rest period (siesta) of the Himba people. During this time fewer daily activities take place in the village, and many tour operators schedule lunch breaks.
- A picnic area is available where day visitors are welcome to prepare and enjoy their meals. The facility includes a braai (barbecue) area with firewood provided, a sink for washing, and cement tables and benches similar to those found at roadside picnic areas.
- Special arrangements can be made for certain regular tour companies and clients. If you are unable to keep to your scheduled time due to circumstances such as a flat tyre, vehicle trouble, or a delayed departure, please contact the village at (+264 81 322 4345) to inform us. We will do our best to reschedule your tour at a time suitable for the village. Otherwise, you may arrive during another group’s tour and may not receive the full experience included in your booking. We cannot accept responsibility if we are not informed in advance.
PLEASE REMEMBER: We prefer not to conduct tours between 13h00 and 15h00.
We sincerely thank you for your understanding and support of this cultural project. With your cooperation, we aim to provide a respectful, well-organized, and informative experience for all visitors.
