Bushmanland

To the east of Grootfontein lies the area known as Bushmanland. This almost rectangular region borders on Botswana and stretches 90km from north to south and about 200km from east to west. The land is flat and dry, with trees, bushes and drought-resistant grasses growing on the Kalahari's sandy soil. It is very poor agricultural land, but home to a large number of scattered Bushman villages.
To the east of the region, especially south of Tsumkwe, there is a sprinkling of seasonal pans, whilst straddling the border itself are the Aha Hills, which rise abruptly from the gently rolling desert like their counterparts in Botswana – the Tsodilo Hills.
The wildlife is a major attraction. During the late dry season, around September and October, game gathers in small herds around the pans. During and after the rains, from January to March, the place comes alive with greenery and water. Birds and noisy bullfrogs abound, and travel becomes even more difficult than usual, as whole areas turn into impassable floodplains. From April the land begins to dry, and during July and August the daytime temperatures are at their most moderate and the nights cold. But whenever you come, don't expect to see vast herds like those in Etosha or you will be disappointed.
The other reason for visiting is to see the Bushman people. The conventional view is that less than a century ago these people’s ancestors were a traditional hunter/gatherer society using stone-age technology. Yet they possessed a knowledge of their environment that we are only just beginning to understand. Tourism is increasingly seen as a vital source of revenue for these people. In placing a high value on traditional skills and knowledge, it is hoped that it will help to stem the erosion of their cultural heritage.

Lodges and Camps in Namibia: Beach Lodge - Casa Piccolo - Mahangu Safari Lodge - Mazambala - Oase Guest House - Phantom Farmhouse - The Desert Homestead

Botswana Destinations: Chobe National Park

Zimbabwe Destinations: Victoria Falls

Animals of Namibia: African Wild Dog - African Elephant - Cheetah - Flamingos - Giraffe - Hartebeest - Hippo - Leopard - Lion - Red Lechwe - Roan Antelope - Sitatunga -Spotted Hyena - Springbok - Wildebeest - Zebra