If you've ever researched visiting Namibia, chances are you've come across photos of the Himba people, a nomadic indigenous group native to northern Namibia and southern Angola. They are famous for their traditional practice of applying red ochre to their skin and hair to protect themselves from the relentless desert sun, while also giving them a striking appearance.
And if you've been traveling for a while, you know that visiting indigenous tribes can often be hit or miss. More often than not, these experiences are set up as tourist traps or operate unethically. That's precisely why I decided to write this travel guide.
In this guide, you'll find everything you need to know about the Himba people, how to visit them ethically, what to expect, and all the essential information to plan your visit. So, if you're looking to interact with them during your trip to Namibia, read on and let's get planning!
- Who are the Himba Tribes?
- Where Do the Himba Tribes Live?
- When to Visit the Himba Tribe?
- How to Visit the Himba Tribe?
- How Much Does it Cost to Visit the Himba Tribe?
- Can You Stay with the Himba Tribe?
- What Are Things to Know Before Visiting the Himba Tribe?
- My Experience Visiting the Himba Tribe
- Further Reading for Namibia
Who are the Himba Tribes?
The Himba are a semi-nomadic ethnic group residing in the remote and rugged landscape of northern Namibia's Kunene Region and parts of southern Angola for more than 6,000 years. With an estimated population of around 50,000, they are known not only for their distinctive traditions but also for their remarkable ability to hold onto their way of life despite the modern world's ever-encroaching influence.
One of the most unique aspects of Himba culture is the use of a red ochre mixture, called otjize, which they apply to their skin and hair. This tradition serves both practical and aesthetic purposes: it shields them from the harsh desert climate and is also seen as a symbol of beauty. The otjize mixture is made by blending butterfat, ash, and ground ochre, a stone that can be found locally in the area.
The Himba are primarily livestock farmers, raising sheep, goats, and cattle, which form the backbone of their diet and economy. Their meals often revolve around simple yet nourishing foods like sour milk and maize porridge, sometimes complemented by wild herbs or honey when nature is generous.
But nature isn't always kind to the Himba, especially in this harsh and arid part of the world. When water or food becomes scarce, they do what they've always done, migrate in search of better conditions. This nomadic way of life is why you might come across Himba communities as far south as Etosha and beyond. The Himba I met had only migrated to the area near Etosha in 2014, and thanks to a newly constructed well supported by the surrounding community, they were able to access water and begin building a new life.
Women and girls typically perform more labor-intensive tasks than men and boys, such as carrying water to the village, collecting firewood, cooking and serving meals, and crafting handicrafts, clothing, and jewelry. You will also often find them in their homesteads wearing traditional dress, while men venture into the city in plain clothes to work regular jobs and support the community.
Despite their best efforts, the Himba face increasing challenges from climate change and the pressures of modernization. Striking a balance between preserving their cultural heritage and adapting to the changing world is an ongoing journey. Yet, their resilience and deep connection to their ancestral ways continue to inspire anyone fortunate enough to visit and learn from their remarkable way of life.
And this is exactly what this travel guide sets out to do. Now that you have a bit of background on the Himba tribe, let's dive deeper into some practical information that will help you visit them during your trip to Namibia.
Where Do the Himba Tribes Live?
As I prefaced previously, you can often find the Himba tribes in the Kunene Region of northern Namibia and parts of southern Angola. In Namibia, they inhabit the arid and remote areas of the Kaokoland region, while in Angola, they inhabit areas along the Kunene River.
Traditionally, the Himba people live in simple mud huts constructed from saplings bound together with palm leaves, mud, and cow dung. These cone-shaped huts are typically located at the edge of the homestead, with the cattle kraal in the center.
You’ll often find women and children in the settlement, but it’s rare to see men, as most are working in the city during the week. When I visited one of the Himba villages, there were around 10 women, 10 children, and 2 men, my guide and the village chief.
As you travel north across Damaraland, into Etosha and beyond, you'll begin to see groups of huts along the side of the roads, where you can interact with the Himba people in a more authentic setting. If you're traveling in southern Namibia or along the coast, you may still encounter them, but there’s a high chance that it could be a tourist trap, and you won't experience the same authenticity as you would by visiting them directly in their village, not a set-up village for tourists.
When to Visit the Himba Tribe?
Since the Himba Tribe often resides in Northern Namibia, which can be pretty hot and dry, the best time to visit is during the winter months, from June to mid-September. This period offers cooler temperatures and minimal rainfall, making travel more comfortable and making it much easier to access remote areas where the Himba often reside.
If you're interested in fun cultural experiences, you might want to plan your visit around the Himba Cultural Festival. However, the exact timing and location can be tricky to pin down, with some sources claiming it takes place in July, while others say September. It's best to check with your accommodation in Etosha or wherever you’re staying to get the exact dates and location for the festival during your visit.
How to Visit the Himba Tribe?
There are several ways you can visit the Himba tribe, such as going on a day trip organized by your lodge in Etosha or picking a random village you see along the road and going there, but it is best to do it when you are in Northern Namibia. If you are elsewhere and you see a tour advertising that you can meet the Himba people and it takes only a few hours, there is a high chance that this is a tourist trap or a set-up village for tourists.
You may also see Himba people in cities like Swakopmund selling souvenirs, and they will often approach you to ask if you want to take photos with them, of course for a fee. I admire their hustle, but this is not the way to interact with them if you want a more authentic experience.
What I ended up doing, and what I recommend you do, is visit Omapaha Etosha Himba Village, a real Himba village located not far from Etosha. At this village, you’ll be guided by a Himba guide who will take you through his village, help translate your interactions with the Himba people, and allow you to learn more about their unique traditions directly from them.
You’ll spend about 2 hours with the tribe, interacting with the families living in the village. You’ll get to see their real living conditions, explore the inside of their huts, and watch them perform the traditional practice of using fire smoke to wash their clothes and cover body odor. Yup, you read that right! It was incredibly interesting to witness their traditions and learn directly from them.
To visit the village, you can either book your time slot online through their official website or simply show up, as I did, and the guide will accommodate you. I went there at 11 AM and we had the whole place to ourselves, which was pretty cool. The entry fee is 300 NAD (16 USD) per person, which may seem a bit expensive, but at least you know the money will benefit the community.
How Much Does it Cost to Visit the Himba Tribe?
Depending on the village you plan to visit, if you’re looking to experience the same one I did, Omapaha Etosha Himba Village, the cost will be around 300 NAD (16 USD) per person. This includes a Himba guide who will take you on a 2-hour tour of his village and help you translate your interaction with the locals.
Can You Stay with the Himba Tribe?
Staying overnight in a Himba village in Namibia typically involves camping outside the village perimeter with your own tent and supplies, as the village itself doesn’t usually provide accommodations for overnight guests.
You’ll need to arrange a visit through a local guide. However, for Omapaha Etosha Himba Village, you can use their available campsites or self-catering huts, which cost 190 NAD/night (10 USD) and 685 NAD/night (37 USD) respectively. These accommodations are located not far from the village.
What Are Things to Know Before Visiting the Himba Tribe?
- Pick the village you want to visit before arriving: The Himba are semi-nomadic, and their settlements can be difficult to locate sometimes so it is best you read up on some of the villages and do your own research before you arrive there, so you can pick the right one for you. If you want a quick answer, I recommend Omapaha Etosha Himba Village.
- Understand the Cost and Accommodations: Visiting a Himba village typically involves a fee, which may vary depending on the tour and duration. For example, a guided visit to Omapaha Etosha Himba Village will cost around 300 NAD (16 USD), though you’ll need to drive there yourself. An overnight stay (at a nearby campsite, not inside their village) starts at 190 NAD/night (10 USD). If you plan to stay overnight, make sure you are self-sufficient, bringing your own camping gear and supplies, as the village usually doesn't provide anything.
- Ask for permission before taking photos: Always ask for permission before taking photos of the Himba people, especially women and children. Some may prefer not to be photographed, though all of them were happy for me to take their photos at Omapaha Etosha Himba Village.
- Bring Gifts: Instead of giving money or sweets, consider offering practical items like bottled water or basic medical supplies, which can be more beneficial to the community. Life is tough for them out there. It's also best to give these items to the guide, who can teach the community how to use them and avoid littering.
- Respect Cultural Practices: Approach interactions with genuine interest and respect. Learning a few words in the Himba language, such as "moro" (hello) and "okuhepa" (thank you), can help you connect with them more meaningfully.
- Be Mindful of Their Lifestyle: The Himba are semi-nomadic and rely on cattle and goats for their livelihood. Be respectful of their way of life and approach your learning with an open mind. Don't go touch their hair and skin without permission!
- Support Sustainable Tourism: Choose villages and guides who practice responsible tourism, ensuring that your visit and the entrance fees you pay directly benefit the Himba community, rather than large corporations.
My Experience Visiting the Himba Tribe
While researching an ethical Himba village to visit, I came across Omapaha Etosha Himba Village, which looked very promising. They mentioned that this village is not a "human zoo", but rather part of an effort to relocate the Himba people from Otjikandero village, who had been facing severe drought in the past years, to a more livable location here at Omapaha Etosha Himba Village.
That was something I was quite mindful of, especially since I’m from Thailand, where we also have many tourist traps involving the long-neck tribes in the North. So, I decided to give it a try and stopped by Omapaha Etosha Himba Village as I made my way to Etosha National Park.
As we parked our car, we were greeted by a local guide who took us into the village to meet the Himba people. We arrived around 11 AM and were the only tourists in the village, which was pretty awesome and exactly what I was looking for.
Our guide turned out to be a Himba himself, and his family also lived in the village. He took us to meet his family and introduce us to his newborn child, gave us plenty of time to interact with the Himba women and children, and helped translate the conversation, as they were quite curious about where we were from.
He also taught us a few Himba words like "moro" (hello) which definitely helped break the ice and explained to me the history of the village, and the fact that they moved from their old village to here in 2014 due to severe drought they were facing.
The people in the village currently care for 15 orphaned children. The guide explained how the funds generated from these tours are used to support the children and provide for the essential needs of the village, ensuring that your money is put to good use.
After the introduction, my guide took us to visit other families, walked around the village, and eventually entered one of the mud huts to learn more about how the Himba live their lives. You'll also see how they do simple tasks, like washing their clothes in a place where water is scarce.
Hint, hint: they do not use water to wash their clothes. Instead, they use fire smoke to fumigate their clothes and also apply it as a deodorant/soap to keep their body odor in check, which I thought was pretty fascinating to see. Water is everything out here so it makes sense that they would utilize these methods to save water.
After the hut visit, the women will set up a small market in the middle of the village and try to sell you their souvenirs. This may startle some people, as it can feel like a tourist trap. It certainly did for me at first, but when I thought about it more, I realized that since it is Himba tradition for women to stay home making handicrafts, clothing, and jewelry, it makes sense that they would sell these handmade items to tourists to generate extra income and support their community.
You can choose to buy or not to buy with them, as the money you spend on the entrance fee will support them anyway, as per the statement on their website. You are under no obligation to do so, but if you find something nice that you might want as a gift, you can always support them this way and get something in return.
The whole experience took about 2 hours, which is plenty of time to interact with the Himba people. It was incredibly humbling to be there, learning about their way of life and seeing how they live. Life can be tough for them, so when you visit, be sure to bring bottles of water, snacks, and toys for the kids, as these items are harder to come by. And remember, always be respectful of their culture and traditions!
Now that we have all the information we need, it's time to start planning your trip! Here are some resources to help you get going:
Are you planning to travel independently? Be sure to check out my guide on How To Plan A Backpacking Trip here.
Further Reading for Namibia
If you are looking for more articles about Namibia, here are a few articles that might help you plan your trip:
- For a complete itinerary to Namibia, check out: 2 Weeks in Namibia: A Road Trip Itinerary.
- Feeling a bit overwhelmed with planning your trip to Namibia? Check out this easy-to-follow guide: Namibia Bucket List: 10 Must-Do Experiences.
- Planning to visit Southern Namibia? You gotta stop by Luderitz! Here are the 9 Best Things to Do in Luderitz.
- Who wants to visit an abandoned ghost town in Namibia? Kolmanskop is the famous ghost town often featured in many mainstream media and here is A Complete Guide to Namibia’s Ghost Town.
- You can’t visit Namibia without exploring Sossusvlei, home to the surreal sand dune landscapes the country is known for. To help you plan your trip, check out: The Ultimate Travel Guide to Sossusvlei.
- Out of all the cities I visited in Namibia, Swakopmund is hands down my favorite. To get the best out of it, be sure to check out: A Guide to Swakopmund: 10 Best Things to Do and More
- You can’t visit Namibia without exploring Sossusvlei, home to the surreal sand dune landscapes the country is known for. To help you plan your trip, check out: The Ultimate Travel Guide to Sossusvlei.
- Want to visit Sandwich Harbor but not sure where to begin? Check this out: A Complete Travel Guide to Sandwich Harbor
- Spitzkoppe is one of the most surreal places to visit in Namibia, and it would be a shame to come all the way to Namibia without seeing it. Here's a complete travel guide to Spitzkoppe.
- Have you ever dreamed of going on a self-drive safari in Africa? Well, you can do that in Etosha National Park in Namibia. Here's A Complete Self-Drive Safari Guide to Etosha National Park.
- Planning to rent a car and drive in Namibia? You might wanna check this out: 11 Things I Wish I Knew Before Driving in Namibia.
- Not sure which car rental company to choose in Namibia? Here's my experience with Namibia2Go: Renting a Car with Namibia2Go: My Review.
- To see all articles about Namibia, be sure to check out our Namibia travel guide page.
- Looking for more travel guides for Africa? You will find more over at our Africa page.
- For more of my travel guides, visit my Destinations page.
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