The Ultimate Guide to Visiting A Himba Village In Namibia
Nestled in the remote, arid landscapes of northern Namibia’s Kunene Region, the Himba people have preserved one of Africa’s most distinctive and traditional ways of life.
These semi-nomadic pastoralists, instantly recognisable by their ochre-covered skin and intricate hairstyles, offer visitors a rare glimpse into an indigenous culture that has largely maintained its traditional practices despite the encroachment of modern society.
A visit to a Himba village ranks among Namibia’s most profound cultural experiences, providing an opportunity to witness ancestral customs, understand a unique worldview, and forge meaningful cross-cultural connections.
Whilst tourism can sometimes feel exploitative, a properly arranged and respectful visit can benefit Himba communities whilst offering travellers authentic insights into a way of life that has remained relatively unchanged for centuries.
This guide will help you navigate this delicate cultural exchange with respect, sensitivity and openness.
Who Are the Himba People?
The Himba (or OvaHimba) are a subgroup of the Herero people who have inhabited northern Namibia and southern Angola for centuries. Following a devastating period in the late 19th century—including conflict with colonial forces and a severe drought—a segment of Herero people retreated into the remote Kaokoland region (now Kunene) and became what we now know as the Himba.
Today, approximately 50,000 Himba maintain their semi-nomadic, pastoralist lifestyle centred around cattle herding, which forms the cornerstone of their economy, social structure, and belief system.
What makes the Himba immediately distinctive is their appearance. Women apply otjize—a paste of butterfat and ochre pigment—to their skin and hair, creating a rich, reddish hue that protects from the harsh sun, repels insects, and serves as a traditional standard of beauty.
Women fashion their hair into elaborate plaits and dreadlocks coated with otjize, whilst wearing minimal clothing typically made from goatskin, adorned with shells, metal beads, and jewellery that indicates their age and social status.
The Himba practise a monotheistic religion centring around ancestor worship and a creator god called Mukuru. Each family maintains a sacred fire (okuruwo) believed to connect them with their ancestors, with the smoke symbolising the path of communication.
Their social structure is patrilineal, with villages typically consisting of extended family groups living in cone-shaped huts built of saplings, mud and dung.
Modern challenges confronting the Himba include land rights issues, climate change affecting their pastoral lifestyle, pressure to assimilate, and the complex impacts of tourism.
Despite these pressures, many Himba communities have demonstrated remarkable cultural resilience whilst selectively engaging with aspects of modernisation on their own terms.
Planning Your Visit To A Himba Village
The Kunene Region experiences a hot, arid climate year-round, but April to October (the dry winter months) generally offers the most comfortable temperatures for travellers. During this period, roads are more passable, and the reduced vegetation makes wildlife spotting easier if you’re combining your cultural visit with nature experiences.
Two primary options exist for visiting Himba communities: organised tours or independent arrangements. For most travellers, guided tours represent the most ethical and convenient approach.
Reputable tour operators have established relationships with specific communities, understand local protocols, can bridge language barriers, and ensure appropriate compensation reaches the village. Day tours from Opuwo (the regional capital) typically cost between $40-80 per person.
The Info Centre at Opuwo can help you with this but it is a situation where you need to get there, go and see them and book for the coming days.
Multi Day Tours That Visit The Himba
The Kunene Region is about 7 hours drive from Windhoek, so you either need a hire car or you need to book a multi day trip.
It is hard to find tours to book before you leave on your holiday, but if you are looking at visiting the Himba you could book this one which is a full 3 day trip that includes the well known Okahandja Craft Market, the Cheetah Conservatory and of course a day with the Himba.
Respected operators include Ultimate Safaris & Kunene Expedition Tours, who both employ Himba guides and have long-standing, positive relationships with the communities they visit. When researching tour providers, enquire about their approach to compensation, photography, and how they support ongoing community needs beyond tourism.
Ethical Considerations
Approaching a Himba village visit with thoughtfulness is essential for ensuring your presence contributes positively rather than harmfully. The most ethical visits happen when communities have chosen to engage with tourism on their terms and receive fair compensation for sharing their culture and private lives.
The question of payment is nuanced—whilst direct payment for photographs can create problematic dynamics, communities should be appropriately compensated for their time and cultural sharing.
Most reputable tour operators include a village fee in your tour cost, which is distributed amongst community members. Additionally, many villages welcome practical gifts: maize meal, sugar, tea, and tobacco are typically appreciated, but this should supplement rather than replace monetary compensation.
It isn’t unusual for your tour operator to stop at a shop to purchase these “gifts” and then ask you for the money for them, so just be prepared for that.
When choosing a tour, ask pointed questions: How long has the operator worked with this community? How is compensation distributed? Do they support any long-term community initiatives? Are visits conducted according to the village’s schedule rather than tourist convenience?
Avoid operators advertising “guaranteed” or “staged” experiences, as these often pressure communities to perform rather than share authentically. The most ethical experiences strike a balance—compensating fairly for genuine cultural exchange whilst avoiding the commodification of people and traditions.
I was not prepared to take either sugar or tobacco, so we purchased some maise, and I had some things from home I took like nail files and clippers, hair ties, and my usual clip on Koalas. I make sure I have a video on my phone of Koala’s so I can show them as well.
What to Expect During Your Visit
Upon arrival at a Himba village, you’ll typically be greeted by a community representative. Your guide will facilitate introductions according to local customs, which might include sitting in a circle for formal greetings. Most villages that receive visitors have established a routine that balances their daily activities with tourism interactions.
Common activities include demonstrations of traditional practices: otjize preparation, hair styling, jewellery making, and perhaps traditional fire-starting. Women often display their craftwork, including leather goods, jewellery, and dolls, which you can purchase directly from the artisans.
If your visit coincides with morning or evening routines, you might observe milking techniques, cooking practices, or maintenance of the sacred fire.
Communication typically flows through a translator, as most Himba speak Otjihimba (a Herero dialect) and perhaps some Afrikaans, but limited English. Despite language barriers, nonverbal communication—smiles, gestures, and showing interest in activities—goes remarkably far in establishing connections.
The village itself will consist of simple huts arranged in a circle around a central livestock pen. These structures, made from mud, dung, and branches, are surprisingly effective against the harsh Namibian climate. Your guide should explain the spiritual significance of the village layout and the cultural meaning behind everyday objects and practices.
What you will notice is that there are almost no men in the village. We did have one older gentleman who is kind of like security, but the men are out with the herd so you very rarely see the men from the tribe.
Cultural Etiquette
Approaching your visit with cultural sensitivity will enhance the experience for everyone involved. Dress modestly—covering shoulders and knees is appropriate, even in hot weather. While Himba women typically wear minimal upper body covering, this is their cultural norm rather than an invitation for visitors to dress similarly.
Avoid touching people without invitation, particularly the head, which holds spiritual significance. When offered something, accept it with both hands as a sign of respect. If invited to sit inside a dwelling, women should sit with legs together or to the side rather than cross-legged.
Gender dynamics in Himba culture differ from Western norms. Men and women have distinct roles, and visitors should be mindful of these distinctions. For instance, men typically don’t approach the central fire, which is the domain of women. Follow your guide’s cues regarding appropriate interaction patterns.
One common misconception is that the Himba never bathe with water—in fact, they practise a form of smoke bathing and use the ochre mixture as a cleansing agent suited to their water-scarce environment. Avoid making comments that frame their hygiene practices as primitive rather than adaptive.
Show genuine curiosity about their lives, but be receptive to cues when certain topics might be off-limits. Demonstrating respect for their customs, even when they differ dramatically from your own, establishes the foundation for authentic exchange.
Photography Guidelines
Photography requires particular sensitivity in Himba communities. Always ask permission before photographing individuals, ideally through your guide to navigate language barriers. Some Himba have become accustomed to photography and may readily agree, whilst others might decline—both responses deserve equal respect.
Some villages have established photo fees, while others include photography in the general village payment. Clarify these expectations in advance to avoid misunderstandings. Even when permission has been granted, maintain awareness of your subjects’ comfort—if someone appears uncomfortable, stop photographing regardless of prior consent.
Particularly sensitive are religious ceremonies, sacred objects, and inside dwellings—these should generally not be photographed unless explicitly invited. Instead, focus on collaborative photography.
Be prepared to show people their images on your camera screen, which often creates joy and connection. Julia, one of our truck mates had a polaroid camera and printed off a few photos for the mums and they were stoked! It was really cool to see how excited they were.
Beyond the Village
The Kunene Region surrounding Himba territories offers dramatic landscapes worth exploring. The area features stark mountains, the powerful Kunene River forming the Angolan border, and Epupa Falls—a series of cascades contrasting beautifully with the arid surroundings. Wildlife is sparse compared to Etosha but includes desert-adapted elephants, black rhinos, and giraffes for the patient observer.
Other cultural experiences in the region include visiting Himba-Herero hybrid communities and Zemba villages, each with distinctive traditions. Farther afield, central Namibia offers opportunities to learn about Damara, San, and other indigenous groups, providing context for understanding Namibia’s cultural diversity.
Accommodation near Himba territories ranges from the basic but comfortable Opuwo Country Lodge to rustic campsites along the Kunene River. For immersive experiences, consider Okahirongo Elephant Lodge or Serra Cafema, luxury options that maintain strong community relationships and can arrange authentic Himba interactions.
Practical Matters
When preparing for your visit, consider bringing appropriate gifts as mentioned earlier (maize meal, sugar, tea, tobacco) rather than sweets or money for individual children, which can encourage begging behaviour.
Personal items should include a hat, sun protection, closed shoes comfortable for walking on rough terrain, and modest clothing despite the heat.
Reaching Himba territories typically requires 4×4 transportation due to rough, unmarked roads. Most visitors base themselves in Opuwo, accessible via a long day’s drive from Windhoek or Swakopmund, or by scheduled flights to Opuwo’s small airstrip. Self-drivers should ensure their vehicles are appropriate for the conditions and carry ample supplies.
Health considerations include malaria prevention (the Kunene River area has seasonal malaria risk), carrying a basic first aid kit, and bringing all necessary medications. The region is extremely remote with limited medical facilities, so comprehensive travel insurance is essential.
Weather varies from hot days (even in winter) to surprisingly cold nights during the June-August period. Dust is just everywhere, so protect cameras and electronics accordingly.
Personal Reflections: My Visit To The Himba Village
Beyond the practical aspects, a Himba village visit offers something increasingly rare in our hyperconnected world, a genuine encounter with a fundamentally different way of perceiving and experiencing life.
Before I went to the village I kind of thought that maybe they kept their traditional dress and lifestyle for income purposes. I know it was very jaded of me but its easy to assume that based on our life experiences.
After we left the village, the next day I saw a Himba girl in the local little supermarket dressed exactly the same and that was when I knew they were genuine in how they live.
They aren’t overly effusive with showing that they are happy for you to be there, but that is of course their right. It must be difficult having a group of strangers come and sticky beak around your home so I was completely on board with them not being super friendly.
Conclusion: Visiting A Himba Village In Namibia
A visit to a Himba village, approached with respect and genuine curiosity, offers one of Africa’s most profound cultural experiences. By choosing ethical tour operators, observing proper cultural etiquette, and bringing an open mind freed from preconceptions, you can ensure your visit benefits both the Himba community and your own cultural understanding.
Remember that you’re not merely observing a living museum but engaging with a dynamic community navigating the complex territory between tradition and modernity. Their willingness to share aspects of their lives with visitors represents both cultural pride and economic pragmatism in a changing world.
Meet Jenny, a passionate Australian travel blogger who has explored 103 countries to date. With over 30 years of travel experience, Jenny has a wealth of knowledge to share with her readers about the cultures, landscapes, and people she has encountered on her journeys. She’s always battling unfashionably frizzy hair and you will never catch Jenny in anything but comfortable shoes. Learn more about Jenny and her travels.