Tsodilo Hills
Tsodilo
Four isolated hills in the Kalahari Desert, with more than 4,500 rock paintings. Often called the “Louvre of the Desert,” they are regarded by the San as the sacred home of ancestral spirits. Listed as a World Heritage Site in 2001.
The Tsodilo Hills lie about 40 km west of the narrow neck of the Okavango Delta, in the northwest corner of Botswana. Four quartzite hills rise abruptly from the Kalahari plain. Local San and Mbukushu people call them the “Male,” “Female,” “Child” and one unnamed hill. The Male Hill is about 410 metres high and is the highest point in Botswana. Human activity here dates back around 100,000 years. More than 4,500 rock paintings cover the rock faces, mainly in red and white. They depict animals (rhinos, giraffes, eland and whales) and geometric designs, and some date back thousands of years. The site is considered one of the richest concentrations of rock art in the world and was inscribed as a World Heritage Site in 2001. The site has a small museum and several trails, including the Rhino Trail and the Mongoose Trail. You must hire a local community guide. Walks take 1 to 4 hours, and guides share the myths and legends of the hills. The site is remote. The drive from Maun takes about 5–6 hours via Shakawe, and some sections are sandy. Drive a 4WD or take a charter flight. There is a basic campsite on site. It is very hot, so bring plenty of water and sun protection.
Opening hours
Approx. 06:00–18:00 (check on site)
Nearby sights
- Drotsky's Cabins
- Shakawe Riverside
- Sepupa Swamp Stop
- Okavango Panhandle Houseboats
- Mahango Core Area
- Buffalo Core Area, Bwabwata
- Guma Lagoon
- Seronga Mokoro Trips