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Kalahari Sunset Safaris

These are the activities that will make up the 3 day Survival Experience, the order can be tailored to individual needs.

Familiarisation Bushwalk (Morning Activity)

This is a crucial part of your introduction to the bush and your stay in the Kalahari as it will help you appreciate your surroundings. It includes:

• Orientating yourself with the unfamiliar environment
• Walking along the old river bed (Buitsivango River) and understanding it's role
• Investigating caves and salt/mineral licks
• Identifying trees, bushes, spoor (animal tracks) birds and other animals

You will then be introduced to the resident Giant Tortoise Clan (Bushman Clan/family).

Gathering of Veldt foods (Morning/Afternoon Activity)

This is a guided walk mainly around the Buitsivango River with two Bushman Women (and an interpreter). A successful walk/collection is represented in the Melon Dance. The walk involves:

• Identifying root vegetables and your "salad"
• Sampling foods during collection - checking they ready etc
• Taking the food back to camp
• Preparing the Veldt foods by cleaning, scraping, stamping and cooking
• Preparing the fire area
• Mixing of the salads with other foods gathered during your travels
• EATING what you've prepared (optional)

Melon Dance (Afternoon)

The dance is a celebration of a successful harvest of veldt foods by the gathers of the food. Mostly the younger women of the clan collect the veldt foods and take this opportunity to show off to the men they wish to attract. This is a great chance for female clients to join in and learn the dance as it is light-hearted and much fun. They also play the foot bow, anywhere from one to ten women will play on one bow. (see photo gallery)

Music of the desert (Late Afternoon/Evening)

Mouth bow, foot bow and thumb piano. A soothing way to round off the day, although it is so much more enchanting if played at night.

Hunting Experience (Early Morning Activity)

A minimum of four hours required, a guided simulation hunt with two Bushmen, hunting traditionally. Basic Hunting and Survival skills (simulated hunting and tracking). Identification of tracks along the fossil river bed and a basic course in methods of tracking, hunting and if requested traps for various animals.

Games (Afternoon Activity)

Can only be described as 'Bushman Olympics', a series of games played by children, that is a basis for the hunting skills necessary in later life. Clients will be encouraged to participate, as the real element of fun is participation and group enjoyment.

Traditional Craft Skills demonstration (Afternoon Activity)

There is a group of people resident at Kampoorra who spend their day making the hardware and traditional "jewellery" for the Red People. A chance to see how necklaces and bangles are made from scratch with Ostrich eggshells, glass beads and seeds, using sinew to string them. In addition to all this, male hardware skills; producing and repairing of hunting sets, tanning skins and curing hides. As well as the making of rope and glue.

Myths and Legends of the Kalahari (Late Afternoon Early Evening Activity)

This takes place in the camp in the afternoon under the shade of a big Camel thorn tree or after the evening meal by the dying embers of the camp fire, to accompaniment of the sights and sound of the African night

Kalahari Sunset Safaris Ltd. © 2007. All rights reserved.
P.O Box 651 Ghanzi, Botswana, Southern Africa.
Tel: 00 267 729 64 333 Or, 00 267 721 55 259.