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KASENU VILLAGE, NAMIBIA10 min read

BOTSWANA, Namibia
Cruises, Culture & History, David's Journal, Photography / Photo Stories, The Southern Africa Series

by David Simpson

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NAMIBIA, DAY 2&3

Kasenu village, Namibia!! Today, we head over to the Namibian side of the river for a traditional village tour of the Subia Tribe. Kasenu Village is a tiny village at the river’s edge, which benefits from the surrounding tourism.

WHERE IS NAMIBIA?

VILLAGE TOUR

Here we were greeted and guided through the village showcasing the authentic Kasenu life. The locals provide through fishing as well as livestock. We were invited into their homes and it was clear the lifestyle had not changed in thousands of years.

  • A local guide is introducing Kasenu, a traditional village in Namibi
  • Traditional mud and stick wattle wall construction of a rural hut made of stone by villagers in Kasenu, Namibia
  • Four laughing children lean against the massive trunk of a shady tree in a Kasenu village
  • A group of local women in teal shirts perform a traditional dance in a in Kasenu villagec
  • David Simpson's sister wearing a traditional grass skirt and joins local women in a cultural dance in a village in Namibia

KASENU VILLAGE….

  • Population – 200
  • Children – 60

EDUCATION

Money from tourism goes back into education and infrastructure projects within the village. Clearly, the locals don’t have much, but in true African style, the kids (and adults) were nothing but pleasant and welcoming!

Every day, the kids make the long journey through the African heat just to attend school, yet the majority of jobs in the village are manual.

At the end we were given a dance by the locals where some of us were invited to join them on stage.

ZAMBEZI RIVER….

  • It flows through six countries
  • Zambia, Angola, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, and Mozambique
  • The longest east flowing river in Africa

FISHING

After a wet and therefore quiet afternoon, the next morning brought our first fishing trip. I have never really had a proper fishing experience, and after that morning, I’m sure I still haven’t. We caught and saw sweet F.A.

  • David Simpson (me) and my sister fishing with local men on the Zambezi River in Namibia with fishing rods set and blue skies overhead
  • David Simpson mom in yellow top fishing at Zambezi River in Namibia, Africa from a moving boat on a wide river, with reeds and clear blue sky ahea
  • David Simpson mom and dad sits together on a boat during the sunset on the Zambezi River in Namibia
  • David Simpson in hat and vest casts a fishing rod beside a calm Zambezi River in Namibia, Africa
  • A Squacco Heron stands alert in golden-lit grassland, with hippo in the foreground blur at Zambezi River in Namibia

ZAMBEZI QUEEN….

  • 14 rooms
  • Hull depth, 750mm!!
  • Jacuzzi, bar and restaurant
A lone elephant stands on a riverbank under a vast blue sky with scattered white clouds at Zambezi River in Namibia, Africa

DRY SEASON

In fairness, it’s probably not the best time of year to be on the Zambezi Queen, as it can only get so far upriver before we have to switch to a smaller boat or turn to head back downstream. Also, the wind has been too strong to sail of late, which wouldn’t normally be a problem, but when the boat is 3 storeys tall, and the hull is only 750mm, it could cause a problem or 2.

A large elephant herd drinks and gathers along a sandy riverbank under a bright blue sky at Zambezi River in Namibia, Africa
The Zambezi Queen luxury houseboat cruises on a wide river under a vivid blue cloudy sky

LAST DAY

Our last day was spent chilling out. We didn’t fancy trying to fish again, and it was a welcome break as we knew we had 6 packed days in Mauritius coming up!

Had an African dinner on our last night, with more dancing to round things off. It’s safe to say the locals love to shake and eat!

  • A large cape Buffalo in Namibia, Africa with massive curved horns stands against a bright blue sky
  • A fish eagle perches alertly on a bare dead tree stump against a clear blue sky in village in Namibia, Africa
  • Man in safari hat and vest stands confidently among tall reeds under a vivid blue sky in a village in Namibia
  • Close-up portrait of a male impala with tall curved horns against a soft blurred background in Namibia
  • A wild baboon sits upright on rocky gravel, staring directly at the camera with amber eyes in a village in Namibia

LAST GAME DRIVE

The following morning, on our last day in Botswana, we had our final game drive. Seeing lions here doesn’t seem to be a rarity, as we came across another 2 in the middle of the road. They could rest anywhere, but it’s probably a show of strength to sit where they want!

We also took a trip to see the old buffalo from our first day, and it’s clear that they had finished. 2 hyenas and only 20 vultures were around it now, with most of the carcass gone.

Close-up of a large Nile crocodile's heavily scaled back and tail resting on a sandy riverbank in Namibia
Extreme close-up of a crocodile's eye and textured snout camouflaged among dry riverside reeds in a village in Namibia
Boat crew members hold a Namibian flag proudly and singing their National Anthem at Zambezi Queen in Namibia, Africa
David Simpson and his family posing on the deck at Zambezi Queen in Namibia, Africa
Aerial view of the Zambezi Queen houseboat dwarfed by sweeping golden floodplains and winding river channels

FINAL THOUGHTS

Three chilled-out days spent in NAMIBIA are really needed!

NEXT UP

Mauritius! Click to read

SAFE TRAVELS, DS x
125/229

This post is part of the Southern Africa Series, click to explore or for episode 1 click here.

To watch the video of my trip, head to my highlights on my Instagram.

Question Time

  • Have you been on a Boat Safari?
  • Have you visit Chobe National Park?
  • Do you enjoy safaris?

Let me know in the comments below . . .

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About the Author

David Simpson
From Northern Ireland, David is a keen fitness fanatic, aspiring photographer and adrenaline junkie (with motion sickness). Well on his way to visiting every country in the world, David usually lives outside of his comfort zone. Whether that’s talking his way out of problems in a Peruvian Police Station, getting mashed with the Maseru tribe in the Drakensberg mountains or just chilling on the beach, he’s an all or nothing guy.
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