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The region of Namibia known as Kaokoland is home to the nomadic groups of proud Himba people who still choose to live a nomadic and traditional lifestyle. They are also referred to as the Kaokovelders. Basically Herero in terms of origin, language and culture, they are semi-nomadic pastoralists who tend to trek from one watering place to another, seeking grazing areas for their goat and cattle. They seldom leave their home areas and maintain, even in their dress, a tradition of their own, on which other cultures have made little impression. For many centuries they have lived a relatively isolated existence and had not involved in any significant way in the long struggle for pasturelands.

Himba people are tall, slender and statuesque people, characterized by their proud yet friendly bearing. The women are noted for their unusual sculptural beauty, with their detailed and intricate hairstyles and traditional adornments. They rub their bodies with a mixture of red ochre and butterfat, which protects their skins against the harsh desert environment and gives them a red-brown complexion. They use many different hairstyles and dresses to illustrate their status: for example, men plait their hair differently to show their marital status. Men, women and children wear body adornments made from iron and shell beads.

Chameleon Safaris include a himba village experience where a man from Opuwo usually serves as a guide. Gifts are offered to the village such as maize flour, sugar, tobacco, bread and snuff as travelers take a peek in a modern day himba village. The villages usually have only women as the men are out herding cattle or visiting other villages or towns. On very special occasions you may bear witness to one of the special ceremonies such as a wedding, death or circumcision. Tourists usually purchase locally made crafts before leaving the village.

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