Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
striking off on your own. This practice ensures that the money you spend ends up in the
community fund rather than in the pockets of one or two individuals.
There are no officially posted prices for activities, though you can expect to be charged
a reasonably modest amount for every person that accompanies you. English-speaking
guides command the largest fee, generally in the realm of N$250 per day plus food, while
hunters and foragers should be organised in the villages - ask in the office where to do
this. It is also possible to arrange overnight stays in villages.
While you are out travelling in the bush, you will inevitably come across San com-
munities, and the temptation to snap photos without permission inevitably exists.
However photogenic a situation might be, it is important to always ask permission before
taking a photo, especially since your subject will generally ask for either money or a small
gift. Before leaving Tsumkwe, it's a good idea to stock up on small bills or, better yet, do
some grocery shopping in town and be prepared to trade healthy food items for snapshots.
The San have a long history of gift giving, and an appreciation of this tradition will
quickly win you respect.
When visiting San villages, visitors are expected to either purchase or trade for bead-
work, walking sticks, ostrich-shell necklaces, bow-and-arrow sets, and so on. Trading is a
wonderful practice worth encouraging, and prized items include T-shirts, shoes, trousers,
baseball caps and other useful items. People will also ask for sugar and tobacco - you'll
have to decide whether to trade these products, given their attendant health risks. In any
case, please trade fairly, avoid excessive payment and help keep local dignity intact by
resisting the urge to hand out gifts for nothing.
