Kolobeng (Livingstone's Third Mission), Kweneng District Travel Guide

Kolobeng Mission, also known as Livingstone's Third Mission, offers a glimpse into the life and work of the famous Scottish missionary and explorer, David Livingstone. Established in 1847 near the Kolobeng River, this mission served as Livingstone's home, church, and school, where he lived with his wife Mary and their children. Livingstone aimed to convert the local Bakwena people to Christianity and introduce them to new agricultural techniques, including irrigation. He successfully converted Sechele I, the leader of the Bakwena, and taught them how to irrigate their crops using the Kolobeng River. However, the mission faced challenges, including a severe drought in 1848 that strained relations between Livingstone and the Bakwena. In 1852, Boer farmers attacked the settlement during the Battle of Dimawe, leading to the mission's abandonment. Today, visitors can explore the remnants of the original structures, including the foundations of the church and Livingstone's house. A fence was installed around the site in 1935, and the mission is now preserved by the Department of National Museum and Monuments under Botswana's Ministry of Environment, Wildlife and Tourism.