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Tsodilo Hills Cave: Ancient Echoes in Stone

Explore ancient rock art and connect with the spiritual heart of Botswana's Tsodilo Hills, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The caves within the Tsodilo Hills, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Botswana, offer a glimpse into over 100,000 years of human history. These rock shelters and caves contain ancient rock art and archaeological deposits, holding immense cultural and spiritual significance for the San people.

A brief summary to Cave

  • 6PQW+HGH, Tsodilo Hills, BW

Local tips

  • Hire a local guide to learn about the history, legends, and personal stories behind the rock art.
  • Bring water and sunscreen, as the sun can be harsh, especially during the hotter months (November to March).
  • Wear sturdy shoes suitable for hiking and climbing over rocks.
  • Respect the site as it is sacred to the local San and Hambukushu communities.
  • Visit between April and October for cooler temperatures.
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Getting There

  • Driving

    The Tsodilo Hills are located approximately 40 km from Shakawe via an extremely rough dirt road that requires a 4x4 vehicle. From Maun, take the main tar road to Shakawe (370 km). The turning off the Maun/Shakawe road is just south of Sepupa and is indicated with a National Museum signpost. Be aware that the roads in this area may have potholes. There are no ATMs or banks in Shakawe, so bring cash.

  • Entrance Fees

    Upon arrival at Tsodilo Hills, check in at Rhino Headquarters. As of 2022, entrance fees for day visitors aged 15 and up are 50 Botswana Pula (approximately $4 USD). Children aged 2 to 10 are P10 per visit, and those under 2 are free. Camping costs P130 for adults and P70 for children. Payment must be made in cash, and American dollars and Euros are accepted along with Pula. Hiring a local guide for the Rhino Trail costs P120.

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Discover more about Cave

Nestled within the dramatic landscape of the Tsodilo Hills, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in northwestern Botswana, lie caves that whisper tales of millennia past. Rising unexpectedly from the Kalahari Desert, these quartzite hills, known as the Male, Female, Child, and North Hills, have served as a sanctuary and canvas for human expression for over 100,000 years. The caves, rock shelters, and depressions within these hills house a remarkable collection of rock art, estimated at over 4,500 individual paintings, earning Tsodilo the moniker "Louvre of the Desert". The caves themselves vary in size and significance. Rhino Cave, on the northern end of Female Hill, contains a rock resembling a giant python, with evidence suggesting San worship of the python deity dating back 70,000 years. The Python Cave features only two paintings: an elephant and a giraffe, significant figures in San mythology. Other caves, like the Depression Rock Shelter, showcase red paintings of cattle and geometric designs, with the earliest occupation dating back at least 30,000 years. White Paintings Rock Shelter, located on Male Hill, contains white paintings associated with Bantu peoples, depicting animals and human figures, some possibly dating back to the mid-1800s. Exploring these caves offers a unique opportunity to connect with the ancient past and understand the spiritual and cultural practices of the San people and other groups who have inhabited the area. The paintings depict animals, human figures, and abstract symbols, providing insights into their beliefs, daily life, and relationship with the environment. The caves are not just repositories of art; they are integral to the spiritual landscape of the Tsodilo Hills, a place where the San believe ancestral spirits reside and where the Hambukushu believe their god brought them to earth.

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