Aabadi in Namibia, meaning calabash in the Nama/Damara language, is located in the Erongo Region between Okahandja and Karibib off the main Windhoek - Swakopmund road. Here Lesley built a pristine bush camp where a natural pool draws game and endemic bird species.
"We are committed to providing an experience that brings you close to nature, close to the origins and close to the cultures of Namibia" Lesley elaborates. This is in reference to the wisened Nama bush trackers, /Kaub and Tsamxao who share their indigenous knowledge and bush survival skills with visitors. Each walk is a lesson in tracking; one gets to determine the age of the tracks, what constitutes the diet of the animal as shown by the droppings, even the sex of the animal can be determined by its tracks.
The trackers demonstrate how water is stored in an ostrich egg and then buried underground. They show guests how to build a trap to catch mid-range game birds, such as the bountiful guinea fowl. If 'wild poultry' is not to ones liking, the trackers will point out the tree that is favoured by a beetle whose larvae possesses the potent poison used on the tip of arrows that will bring down an Oryx buck. "You see this camp allows /Kaub and Tsamxao to be able to preserve their culture, to practice it and importantly, in some aspect to pass it on to us" Lesley explains.

There is a souvenir shop at the camp where visitors can interact with the traditional jewellery makers, experiencing a lesson in resourcefulness as natural raw materials are transformed into beautiful pieces of art. The cuisine at Aabadi is another draw card. All meals are cooked on an open fire and the menu is inspired by the multi-cultural make up of Namibia. You can enjoy wholesome Herero pot brood (pot-baked bread), preserved beef, Nama skaapkop (sheep's head), moerkoffie (dark strong coffee) and an array of delectable homemade preserves.
There are many winners in the story of Aabadi Bush Camp - the environment, the 10 people employed by Gariseb, the preservation of culture and ancient traditions and the guests who are privileged to experience Aabadi. On the macro level, the Government's call to make tourism earnings the leading source of foreign currency revenue is being heeded. Lastly, it said that when determining the traits of entrepreneurship, the following must come to the fore: passion, independence, drive and the desire for success. Lesley Gariseb easily matches these, shouldn't those of his ilk be supported?

The Camp

The camp offers accommodation in the form of San huts as well as camping sites. The huts are fitted with twin beds. Outdoor shower facilities are in a reed shaded enclosure.

The camping site is provided with a communal ablution facility. Meals are served under the lapa, looking out on the savanna bushveld. Dinners are mostly enjoyed around the fire, under the stars. All meals are prepared over the fire.

Activities

The camp offer walking safaris or bush walk with the San people. For overnight guest, walks are preferably being undertaken early in the morning, before breakfast. Another alternative to morning walks are the afternoon walks. Walks can vary from 1 hour to 2 hours, depending on the fitness of the group and the conditions prevailing at time of walk.

Location

The camp is situated about 130 kilometers from Windhoek. The camp is situated exactly between Okahandja and Karibib. Okahandja is about 70 kilometers north of Windhoek, after which the road leads to the west on your way to Karibib. The road is also better known as the coast road. From Okahandja it is a mere 60 km drive to the bush camp, which lies 1 km on the right.