Onguma Meets Ombili: Excursion Into The Culture Of The San

6 Jun 2025

 

Excursion Everyday life Culture San Ombili East Etosha National Park northern Namibia Onguma Nature Reserve
Excursion into the everyday life and culture of the San at Ombili, east of Etosha National Park in northern Namibia. Photo: Onguma Nature Reserve

Just a moment ago on a game drive through Etosha National Park, now on the way to experience the everyday life and culture of the Bushmen. The Onguma Nature Reserve on the eastern edge of Etosha has recently started arranging excursions for its guests to the Ombili Foundation's San project.

On a Bushman Trail, you can experience how the San set traps and hunt with bows and arrows. An interactive highlight is making fire with a stick turned back and forth, a small longish piece of wood, fine sand and delicate, tinder-dry grass.

The host San also perform traditional dances and choral songs. You can learn more about everyday life today at the school and in the community garden. At the end of the approximately two-and-a-half-hour tour, you can purchase necklaces made from ostrich eggshells, baskets and wood carvings.

Proceeds from the tour and handicraft sales go to the Ombili Foundation, which is dedicated to the preservation and maintenance of San culture. Ombili is located about an hour's drive from the Onguma Nature Reserve.

The tour is aimed at self-driving guests at Onguma. It must be booked at least one day in advance.

 

Sven-Eric Stender

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