Lepokole Hills Nature Reserve Travel Guide

The Lepokole Hills Nature Reserve, located approximately 25 kilometers northeast of Bobonong village, offers a unique blend of natural beauty and historical significance. These hills are the southernmost extension of the Matopos Hills in Zimbabwe, characterized by massive granite blocks stacked upon each other, creating a landscape of rocky formations, trees, and open sky.The hills are steeped in history, serving as a refuge for the San people who left behind rock paintings in caves and rocky overhangs. These paintings offer a glimpse into their lives and beliefs, depicting animals, rural scenes, and geometric patterns. Walled ruins in the style of Great Zimbabwe era, ancient village settlements, and Iron Age sites with stone arrangements, granaries, pottery, and tools can also be found. Ongoing archaeological research estimates that the area has been inhabited for 100,000 years.Today, Lepokole Hills is home to diverse wildlife, including rock dassies, baboons, brown hyenas, and leopards. Over 350 bird species have been recorded, including the endangered Cape Vulture, Black Eagle, and Meyer's Parrot. The Mapanda Conservation Trust administers a community-based tourism project focused on conservation and offering nature walks and guided hikes. Visitors can explore the three main hills—Male, Female, and Child—and enjoy panoramic views from the highest points.