The Little Hunters Living Museum of the Ju/’Hoansi-San close to Tsumkwe offers visitors the exclusive possibility within Namibia to experience an original hunt, apart from getting to know a very old hunter- gatherer culture.
Apart from getting to know the fascinating ancient culture of the Ju/’Hoansi, native to the Kalahari desert for thousands of years, experiencing a real hunt with hunters from the Living Museum is the focal point. Here the traditional bow hunt with poisoned arrows, the digging out of spring hares and porcupines, the snare catching of guinea fowls, khoraans and other birds for the daily hunt for food has never been terminated. The San living in this area, the Nyae Nyae Conservancy, are actually the only ones of their cultural group that are officially allowed to still hunt traditionally. Thus they still master the art of reading tracks and are delighted if visitors show special interest herein. The opportunity for visitors to be able to take part in such a hunt is also unique. An English speaking Ju/’Hoansi accompanies the guests and translates everything the hunters are showing and explaining.
Little Hunters Living Museum of the Ju/’Hoansi-San is open 365 days a year from sunrise until sundown. Bookings are possible, but usually this is not necessary. Just follow the signboards that are leading to the Living Museum and you will be warmly welcomed.
Campsite:
Two campsites are available, each with a dry toilet, bucket shower and braai (barbeque) facilities. The rates are N$40.00 per person. Water and firewood is available.
Programs & Rates (Valid 2016 – 2017):
Bush walk (approximately 1½ hours):
- Bush walk with snaring, tracking and collecting bush food.
- N$ 150.00/person.
Singing, dancing and games (approximately 1½ hours):
- Singing, dancing and games around the camp fire. Feel free to join in the fun.
- N$ 120.00/person.
Crafts in the village (approximately 2 hours):
- Lighting a fire, making ropes and snares, jewellery, bow and arrow and prepare and taste traditional bush food. Learn and join in.
- N$ 150.00/person.
Action Day (approximately 4 hours):
- It includes everything as in programme 3, as well as the bush walk, singing, dancing, wedding ceremony, playing games, shoot a bow, throw a spear and watch the traditional doctor healing a patient. We also teach you to make your own bow and arrow, as well as ostrich egg pearls and your own jewellery the old way.
- N$ 200.00/person.
Tracking Game (Day):
- Following game tracks like Elephant, Oryx, Kudu, Wildebeest, Hartebeest, Warthog, Giraffe or what we might find together with two hunters. Please take along at least 5 litre of water.
- N$ 150.00/person.
Hunting Trip (One Day/Several days):
- A full day of walking in the wild together with two hunters, trying to catch Warthog, Kudu, Springhare, Porcupine or what ever might be so careless to cross our way. No guarantee to success though. Please take along at least 5 litre of water a day.
- N$ 200.00 / person/day.
//Xa/oba: (approximately ½ hour):
- Visit our modern village.
- N$ 50.00 / person.
A Three Day Exclusive Ju/’Hoansi Experience (3 days):
- Day 1: Get to know your host family and make you own San equipment: You should start very early in the morning. A small San family including a hunter, his wife and their children will take care of you. Together you will produce some jewellery, ropes, your own bow and arrow. Included in the day is also blacksmithing an arrow head – if there is enough time. A lot of work! You can of course take your equipment home with you.
- Day 2: A day in the bush: All your equipment will now be used during your day in the bush with your San family. Get to know the incredible knowledge of your San family when it comes to bush food and medicine. Eat what you find! Set up traps and practice shooting with your bow. Collect grass and wood for your own hut in the bush. If you want you can spend the night here. Take or leave your sleeping bag, but don’t forget to take along at least 5 L of water and a hat!
- Day 3: Singing and dancing: Today your San family will introduce you into a bigger group and will give you insights into the traditional beliefs of the Ju/’Hoansi. You can take part into a healing ceremony and enjoy singing and dancing around a fire as well as some traditional games. At the end of the day you will visit your host family in the modern village and get to know how they live today.
- N$ 600.00/person.
Camping:
- N$ 40.00/person per day;
- Water and firewood available.
Craft Shop:
The museum has a craft shop, where a lot of jewellery, tools, instruments and articles of daily use are being sold. The whole village and many surrounding villages profit from the sale of these products, as everyone is allowed to sell their crafts there.
Professional filming (documentaries, movies, etc.):
- N$ 4500.00 – up to 2 days unlimited filming even if you only film a few hours;
- N$ 1500.00 – for every further day.
More information about filming in Namibia:
Child policy:
- Children from 0 – 2 years are free of charge.
- Children from 3 – 12 years pay half price.
Namibian student groups:
- Namibian student groups only pay half of above prices;
- Up to 4 teachers (group leaders) are free of charge, but others pay the student price;
- All groups must prove their Namibian origin to qualify for the reduced price.
Our Living Museum is a private educational institution without any external financial aid. As we need to pay our actors we are not able to reduce prices below this offer.
