Tsodilo Hills are one of the nine UNESCO World Heritage Sites found in Botswana and is located in the north-western part of the Okavango district, near the Namibian border. Believed to be the ‘birthplace of all life’ by the San tribes, Tsodilo Hills are steeped in rich history and are veiled by an ancient mystical vibe.
The Tsodilo Hills are defined by their four major outcrops which are commonly named as Male Hill (the highest), Female Hill, Child Hill and The First Wife based on ancient folklore. According to this, the Female Hill is actually the second wife of the Male Hill.
Human settlements
The Tsodilo Hills were a popular spot for successive human settlements over the years as their rocky structures were a contrast from the otherwise flat Kalahari desert. This feature proved to be a good location for settlements.
From the many archaeological sites in the area, several fragments of tools, pottery and jewelry (some of which were made of metal) were unearthed, including thousands of rock paintings. These archaeological records provide evidence that the hills have been home to ancient tribes for over 100,000 years.
Sacred Dimension
It is believed by the local San communities that the spirits of the ancestors reside in these hills and hence they consider it to be a very sacred place. The highest point of the Male Hill is considered as the most sacred spot. A small water source near the Female Hill, was used as an ancient ritual site and is believed to have cleansed and protected thousands who lived there.
Similarly, the Hambukushu people believe that their ancestors and livestock were brought to existence, after their God, Nyambe, placed them on the top of the Female Hill. This legend is backed by impressions of hoofs on that site, which can be found till date.
As a result, hunting in or around the site of the hills is strictly prohibited by the local communities as it would upset the Gods and bring them misfortune.
Paintings
The reason why the Tsodilo Hills are popular is because they house more than 4000 rock paintings within their many caves. UNESCO even refers to the site as the ‘Louvre of the Desert’.
While it is believed that most of the paintings were works of the San bushmen, some of them are also credited as works of the Bantu tribe.
There are two different kinds of paintings found here.
White paintings: These are believed to be the work of the Bantu people. They include figures of animals and humans and are found on the Male Hill.
Red paintings: Attributed to the San people, these paintings are found distributed over the entire area but the Rhino Cave is the most popular spot to view these. Rhino Cave is located on the Female Hill and gets its name from the single white painting of a rhino, which stands apart from the sea of red artwork.
Why visit Tsodilo Hills?
It is a great place to visit if you are keen on learning more about one of the oldest human settlements and hear interesting local legends, which you might actually believe are true! Apart from this, if you are a fan of rock climbing or trekking, then these hills are a great option. Given the remote location of the hills, their rich history has been preserved efficiently along with the aid of several governmental bodies and legal acts.
The closest accommodations near the hills are at Shakawe which is 40 km away. Here you can find several cabins, fishing lodges and campsites.
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