Who Are the Bushmen?
The Bushmen, or San people, are one of the oldest indigenous cultures in the world. Their presence in Southern Africa dates back thousands of years, and they’ve traditionally lived as nomadic hunter-gatherers—thriving in the harsh, arid environment of the Kalahari Desert with a deep understanding of the land, the plants, and the animals.
Their language is as unique as their culture, marked by a series of clicks that can’t really be compared to another language. Even learning to say “hello” in their tongue feels like a small victory.
While many of us picture the Bushmen in traditional animal-hide clothing, living entirely off the land—like in some of the photos on this page—the reality today is a bit different, and that’s perfectly okay. Most San communities have integrated aspects of modern life: they live in houses, wear regular clothes, and send their children to school. Some of the images here show the very few who still live in the traditional ways, while others depict staged demonstrations that serve as a way for the San to share and preserve their culture with visitors.
Despite these changes, they haven’t lost their cultural identity. In fact, many are making conscious efforts to keep their traditions alive. They still pass down ancestral knowledge, gather roots from the earth, and once a year, some groups continue their nomadic ways temporarily to collect the prized marama nut.
At first, I felt a bit disappointed when I realized some parts of the experience were staged—I genuinely wanted to understand how they live today. But later, my lodge explained that the San actually enjoy these cultural exchanges. It’s their way of keeping their traditions alive, passing them on, and connecting with others. And the truth is, the kind of fully traditional lifestyle I had imagined is no longer the day-to-day reality for most San people.
Why This Experience Matters
Meeting the Bushmen is a rare opportunity to interact with one of the world’s oldest cultures—and to do so in a respectful, meaningful way. It’s a chance to listen, to learn, and to reflect.
The San people are wise, kind, and incredibly generous with their knowledge. Even though modern life has changed the way many of them live, their stories and survival skills are still very much alive. Whether you’re passionate about indigenous cultures, curious about survival skills, or just looking for something beyond the typical safari experience, spending time with the Bushmen in the Kalahari is something you’ll never forget.
Thing I learned / Fun facts about the Bushmen
It’s considered bad manners to look someone in the eyes.
This one really caught me off guard. Making eye contact it’s seen as intrusive or even disrespectful in the San culture, so at first, I thought I was doing something wrong since they wouldn’t look at me, funny it was the other way around.
Their language is called Naro—and it’s one of the click languages.
to heard them speak it fascinating. The Bushmen speak Naro, one of several Khoisan “click” languages, known for its distinctive clicking sounds woven into speech. It’s complex, rhythmic, and incredibly beautiful to listen to.
They know the land like the back of their hand.
The Bushmen are true survival experts, and I learned so much about the plants they use to live in harmony with the Kalahari. They introduced me to the cambrua root, which they use for medicinal purposes, the marama nut, a nutrient-rich they still gather seasonally, and another fascinating root they dig up to extract water—essential for surviving in the desert.
They taught me how to find the right materials for tools.
During my time with them, they demonstrated how to identify the perfect sticks for different tools—whether it’s for hunting, making fire, or building things. I learned how to make cordage from plant fibers, and even got to try making fire using friction.
Are you ready to start discovering Botswana?
Here are the tours I did and personally recommend!
Are you ready to start discovering Botswana?
Here are the tours I did and personally recommend!
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