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Serra Cafema, one of the most remote camps in southern Africa, is located in the extreme north-west of Namibia and gets its Portuguese name from the mountains to the north that dominate the skyline.
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The camp is set amongst ancient Albida trees on the banks of the only permanent source of water in the region, the Kunene River, and shares the area with the Himba people, amongst the last true nomads in Africa. |
The camp’s eight canvas and thatched chalets are raised off the ground, each with its own ensuite bathroom. The camp also has a dining room, bar and pool. Guests fall asleep to the sound of the river rapid just below the camp; in contrast, during the day they explore one of the driest deserts in the world. |
Activities here are many and varied, including traversing sand dunes, boating on the river, walking in remote valleys, enjoying breathtaking landscapes, as well as carefully guided quad-bike excursions that tread lightly on the dunes. Serra Cafema is often visited by nearby native Ovahimba families, providing guests with the opportunity to learn about their lifestyle and traditions. |
Game viewing in this area is limited to large herds of Oryx and springbok in the Hartman's valley. The Kunene River has a large population of Nile Crocodiles. Palm nut vultures are seen occasionally as well as a number of the Namibian endemics. There are also a number of endemic reptiles. |
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THE OVAHIMBA PEOPLE
Of Herero descent, the Ovahimba are an extraordinary people who have resisted change and maintained their rich and unique cultural heritage. It is a culture filled with meaning, significance and harmony. This ancient tribe of semi-nomadic pastoralists occupied the Kunene region of the country.
Impoverished by Nama cattle raiders in the mid to late 1800's, they were forced into being hunter-gatherers. Due to this, they were called the Tjimba, derived form the word meaning Aardvark, the animal that digs for it's food. Many Himbas fled to Angola where they were called Ovahimba, meaning 'beggars'. They did not stay in Angola very long and left with their leader called Vita (''war''). After World War One he resettled his people in Kaokoland, because the area was now under South African, and not German rule. Since then they have been living their nomadic pastoralist lives without much interference. But now more and more they have to reconcile traditional ways with European values.
One of most interesting rituals of these people is that of the ritual fire, the ''okoruwo''. The Ovahimba believe that the fire provides contact between the living and the dead, which is necessary for harmonious living and keeping the ancestors happy. It is kept alive until the death of the headman. When this happens, his hut and the fire is destroyed. His family dance in mourning throughout the night. Before his burial everyone says to him: "Karepo nawa" (''keep well''). Later a fresh mopane tree is lit from the embers of the old fire and spiritual peace returns to the people.
It is the greatest honour and privilege to visit these last nomads of Africa. Like the San people, they inspire a vision of the true human spirit.
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