Damara Living Museum Travel Guide: Top Sights in Namibia, Tours &

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Damara Living Museum- Travel Tips What to See, How to Plan & Tours: Historical & Cultural; Namibia; 5 Reviews

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Suggested Duration: 2 hours

The Damara Living Museum, located near Twyfelfontein, offers a rare opportunity to experience the traditional culture of the Damara people, one of Namibia's oldest nations. The museum is the first of its kind in the country, dedicated to preserving and showcasing the rich heritage of the Damara, who, alongside the Bushmen, are among the earliest inhabitants of Namibia. Visitors can explore a blend of ancient hunter-gatherer traditions and the practices of cattle, goat, and sheep herding. The museum also serves as an important cultural project, helping to revive and sustain aspects of Damara culture that were lost during colonial times. Through interactive displays and traditional performances, the museum provides insight into the Damara way of life while supporting the local community.

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Reviews of Damara Living Museum

Madhura N

5
Reviewed: 2024-11-23

Great cultural experience, the people were very willing to demonstrate and talk to us about their history and culture. Would recommend. Great craftshop at the exit!
Louis Ireland

4
Reviewed: 2024-11-13

This is fantastic if you want to gain a detailed insight into how the Damara people used to live. There are toilet facilities and a gift shop. Our guide didn't seem particularly energetic, and the guides were expecting a tip at the end, even though the entrance fee is fairly substantial for a 30 minute activity. However if you are passing through, don't let this put you off.
Dan Evans

5
Reviewed: 2024-11-06

One of the best experiences we had in Namibia. Simon and his family were so lovely and welcoming. It was so educational doing the museum and the modern village. Simon's Uncle and Aunt made great souvenirs and kindly welcomed us to their home. Simon and his Grandad showed us traditional medicine, apothecary, a game and helped us make fire from wood and kindle! If I could give 6*s I would. A must visit in Namibia!
Hylke Buisman

5
Reviewed: 2024-10-27

I loved this place. In particular because they are explicitly a "living Museum", representing the former way of life. In various places you may have villages where you supposedly see "the local culture", but instead it is more a theatrical performance without being explicit about it. The tour is relatively short but really nice. The guide was very kind, and informative. The highlight were that they showed how to make fire and the singing and dancing at the end.
Linh Pham

1
Reviewed: 2024-10-12

The entire experience of learning about their way of living took 15 minutes in total: an explanation of how they use their medicine, two dance songs and a quick show of 2 (multi-purpose) tools they used in the past and how they made them. The experience is not authentic and I was quickly shown the way to the shop. There is probably no wait because they just do a demo very quickly and don't care about interacting with guests. You can come at any time and they will put on a show.