Center for Global Education and Experience

Popular themes in Namibia include (but are not limited to):

* Apartheid
* Climate change
* Decolonization of the mind
* Education
* Environmental/sustainability issues
* Ethnicity
* Globalization
* Health
* HIV/AIDS
* Human rights
* Nation building
* Politics
* Race relations
* Reconciliation
* Ubuntu
* Women/gender issues

Swakopmund and Walvis Bay (Coastal towns, 4 hours west from Windhoek, about half an hour from each other): Walvis Bay is a port city and industrial hub for Namibia.  Groups visiting Walvis Bay often learn about the impact of international trade on the area, the sensitive ecological zone and various NGO’s working to address the social issues arising from the highly mobile population. There are also several mines in the area. Swakopmund is known more as the tourist destination on the coast.  With beautiful beach views, and adventure activities, the extreme inequality in the town is hidden to the typical tourist. Common visits include learning about the housing challenges, particularly in the informal settlements, as well as organizations dealing with issues around access to education. Visitors to the coast often visit the sand dunes east of Walvis Bay, and the Walvis Bay lagoon to see the flamingos and other birds.  The Cape Cross seals are 1.5 hours north of Swakopmund.

Sossusvlei (Large dunes in Namib-Naukluft National Park, 5-6 hours southwest of Windhoek, southeast of Swakopmund): The sea of large red dunes is an amazingly beautiful visit, particularly at sunset and sunrise.

Oshakati and Ondangwa (Northern cities -place of liberation struggle, 8-9 hours north of Windhoek) : “The North” of Namibia is what approximately 50% of Namibians consider to be home.  This area was considered to be mainly a labor reserve by the apartheid government and was largely ignored in terms of development. In “the north” you can visit various historical sites important to the liberation of Namibia, visit a rural homestead, and experience firsthand the difference in development compared to much of the rest of the country.  While the current government has done much to improve the living conditions for people living in this area, there are still significant differences which can be noticed.

Otjiwarongo (3 hours north of Windhoek): The Cheetah Conservation Fund, Africat and the Rare and Endangered Species Trust are organizations in this area working for protection and conservation of wildlife.

Etosha (National Game Park, 6 hours north of Windhoek): View wildlife indigenous to Namibia in their natural setting.  It is also possible to meet with a game ranger and learn about conservation activities in the park.

Waterberg Plateau Park (National Park, 4-5 hours northeast of Windhoek): Waterberg Plateau is a beautiful geological formation, but was also the site of The Battle of Waterberg which started the Herero genocide.  Learn about the Herero genocide, conservation issues in the area and visit a rural community.

Brandberg Mountain (Namibia’s highest mountain, 4-5 hours northwest of Windhoek): Brandberg Mountain has some very significant rock art for the San community.  Nearby, the desert elephants also roam freely and can be tracked.

Kavango and Zambezi Regions (Rundu is 8-9 hours northeast of Windhoek, Katima Mulilo is 6 hours further): The Kavango and Zambezi regions of Namibia have higher rainfall than the rest of the country, including perennial rivers.  The unique ecosystem, different ethnic groups, and unique history and politics of this part of the country portray a different aspect of life in Namibia.
 

Check out a list of activities we can do. This checklist can also help you customize your program to your group's goals and interests. Anything you like to do that's missing? Let us know and we can add it to your custom itinerary. 

Need some ideas of what you can do? View our sample programs that show possibilities in different themes! Use a sample program as a building block and then customize from there to fit your organization's needs.

Sample programs:
Decolonizing the Mind (this program visits both Namibia and South Africa)
Health and Community in Namibia 
History, Culture and the Environment 
Race, Civic Engagement, and Nation Building (this program visits both Namibia and South Africa)
The Forgotten Genocide

Costs will be unique to the programming activities you choose for your program, the number of participants, the length of the program, etc.
 
The prices below represent the typical per person cost for an 8-day/7-night program in Namibia. Price can decrease when costs can be shared among a larger group of participants. These prices include one free leader, and do not include the cost of airfare.
  This estimate is only an approximation based on other Namibia programming we have done.  After you have submitted your application and we have worked out an itinerary specific to you, the program cost and payment instructions will be sent. Group scholarships are also available on a limited basis. 

Questions about Namibia custom programming? Contact Peggy Johnson at:



Email: johnsop2@augsburg.edu
Phone: 612-330-1118


Ready to start customizing with CGEE in Namibia? Start an application today!