Otjikandero Himba Orphan Village

★★★★★ 4.3/5 (433 reviews) Very Good

About This Museum

People come here not for a typical museum experience, but for a genuine chance to connect with the living Himba culture. You're welcomed into a working village where daily life unfolds around you—kids play, women braid hair with otjize paste, and the scent of the fire hangs in the air. It’s a place that feels deeply human, focused on supporting orphaned children and preserving traditions that are centuries old. You leave feeling like you’ve shared a small moment of someone's life, not just observed it from behind a rope.

Collection Highlights

The real highlights are the people and their crafts: watching the intricate process of making otjize (the red ochre paste), seeing beautiful handmade jewelry from scrap metal and ostrich eggshells, and listening to stories shared directly by the villagers.

Visitor Information

It's best to visit as part of a guided tour from places like Kamanjab or Outjo, as they help facilitate a respectful and meaningful interaction. Definitely bring some cash if you'd like to purchase their beautiful, handcrafted jewelry—it supports the community directly.

Architecture & Building

The 'exhibit' is the village itself—a scattering of simple, traditional huts made from mud, dung, and branches, blending perfectly into the stark, beautiful landscape of northern Namibia.