The Himba Tribe in Namibia

The Himba Tribe in Northern Namibia

One of the most unusual tribes remaining in Africa, the Himba tribe, has a large population in Northern Namibia. Roughly 50,000 people from this indigenous tribe remain between Namibia and Angola today. They have retained many traditions and at the same time adapted to modern influences.

Opuwo, a small town in Northern Namibia, is the best place to see this tribe up close. They intermingle with other Namibians from town at places like the local supermarket. It is a sight to see, as they go about their day around town.

A Himba tour in Namibia is the perfect way to visit their local villages. It will allow you to better understand their lifestyle and learn about many of their traditions.

Himba Tours: Himba Women
Himba Woman

The Himba people are known for retaining their culture and values, which include roles for each person within the village. The women take on the brunt of most of the family work: tending to the children, the farms, and making jewelry. The men tend to livestock and are often away for many days at a time. They do not have any education and rarely rely on generating income. They try to be self-sufficient by growing livestock and farming produce.

Read on to learn the best way to visit the Himba tribe during your trip to Namibia!

Content and photographs provided by Yana Kogan and Timon.

Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase or booking through one of our links we may earn a small commission (don’t worry, it’s at no extra cost to you).


The Himba Tribe in Northern Namibia

How to Book a Himba Village Tour

Namibia Himba Tribe: Tribe Village
Himba Village

The easiest way (and the most expensive) to visit a Himba village is through the Opuwo Cultural Center. It is just before the center of town on highway C41. You’ll be greeted by a friendly, English-speaking tribe member who will ask you to pick from a variety of tour options.

For a more intimate and budget-friendly option, we met a woman by the name of Queen Elizabeth who can arrange tours. She is a Himba woman and left her village at age 11 to get educated. She speaks English (among many other languages fluently).

Also, she has family in the Himba village and will give a tour where her Aunt is one of the elders. At the time of writing, Queen Elizabeth could be found at the OK Supermarket in the center of town, where she has a stall with dolls and jewelry. She was reachable by cell phone at +264 812 138 326.

Himba Tours: Using Incense
Himba Woman Using Incense

Himba Village Tour

Himba Tribe: Handmade Jugs
Handmade Jugs

Visiting a Himba village will allow you to learn about their culture and traditions. They have several unique traditions. All men and women remove their bottom four teeth, as they have high respect for cows and believe removing their teeth makes them look more like cows.

They do not shower or bathe. Instead, they rub “otjize paste” on their skin which is a combination of butterfat and ochre pigment. They believe this cleanses their skin and protects them from sunburn and mosquitoes. Incense is burned underneath their armpits and around their neck as a natural perfume.

A village tour gives you the opportunity to ask questions and better understand the culture and get up close with this beautiful tribe. They are hard-working people, very kind, and always find a way to smile and laugh.

They are also very photogenic and love to see themselves in pictures after you take them.


Himba Tour Cost

The village tours usually last around three hours. The tour cost is 150 NAD per person, plus a gift of 150 NAD per group. Before going on the tour, you will buy some groceries with Queen Elizabeth for the village to present as a gift upon entering.

The tours with the Opuwo Visitor Center cost 300 NAD per person, plus a gift of 150 NAD for each village you visit. You have the option to go to one village, or up to three different villages in one day.

That’s it – we hope you have a wonderful time visiting the Himba tribe in Namibia!


Author

  • Yana and Timon: Writer Bio Photo

    Yana & Timon met at college in Boston, Massachusetts. After graduating, they started their professional careers. They moved to San Francisco in 2010, a city they loved living in for nearly six years.

    After working and saving up money for several years, they quit their jobs and set off on an adventure of a lifetime. They started living a nomadic lifestyle in December 2015 and have not looked back since.

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