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| Liquid Giraffe |
Travel Services in Southern Africa |
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Destinations :
North West Botswana 
North 
East
Central
South
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| Mention Botswana and many people will immediately think of the two great destinations in the country: the remarkable natural wonder of the Okavango Delta and the equally remarkable and vast central area, the Kalahari. The northwest, however, holds some fascinating places to visit – yet are not as frequently visited because they are probably only more accessible to those on self-drive holidays or on private tours accompanied by personal safari guides. This region has three areas that are worthwhile visiting. For those
selecting self-drive holidays, they are easily reached from the
northern border entry from Namibia at Mohembo and via the thriving
fishing village of Shakawe or from the south, via Maun and Ghanzi: |
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| The Tsodilo Hills
Okawango Panhandle
Gcwihaba Caverns (Drotsky's Caves) |
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The Tsodilo Hills are a magical place to visit yet not many tourists manage to get to them – partly because of their relative inaccessibility. This has changed significantly with a new gravel road that has reduced the journey from the main tarred road from Sepupa from 3hours + to 30 minutes. The Tsodilo Hills consist of four quartzite hills which rise out of the semi-arid and rocky terrain: the Male, the Female, the Child and a small hillock known as North Hill – and which legend believes was an argumentative wife of the Male Hill who was sent on her way! | |||||||
| The Hills are filled with myth, legend and spiritual significance for the tribes that live in the area. The Bushmen believe they are the site of the first Creation. The Humbukushu tribe believe that the gods lowered the people and their cattle onto the Female Hill. The name ‘Tsodilo’ means ‘sheer’. It is believed that the area of the Hills has been inhabited for over 35,000 years. The prime interest for a visitor is the dazzling spectrum of 3,500 rock paintings that have been found – dating back to 700 AD. Also of interest to the visitor (especially around the rainy period) are the vast array of shrubs, trees, flowers and grasses that grow abundantly around and on the Hills. There is now a small Visitor Centre at the base of the Female Hill, which provides an excellent orientation to the history. Access to the Tsodilo Hills is by road (approximately 4.5 hours from Maun). There are several trails and it is highly recommended to take a guide with you from the Visitor’s Centre as not all painting sites are clearly marked. Walking is not too strenuous on the shortest and most interesting route covering part of the Female Hill though some walks onto the higher sections of the Male Hill are fairly arduous. Accommodation in the area is limited and only camping (either at remote ‘wild’ sites or at the Visitor’s Centre where there are ablutions and water available). Alternatively, day trips can be arranged from other accommodation places in the Okavango Panhandle. There is also an airstrip close to the Male Hill and fly-in day
trips, complete with a picnic lunch, can be arranged for those with
limited time. |
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The Okavango Panhandle extends 10 kilometres from the border in
Namibia and contains the main meandering river which finally releases
its water into the main Delta. The local tribes in this area depend on the abundant fishing available and it is a popular fishing area too for South Africans and the expatriate communities in Maun. On the Western Panhandle is a vast lagoon which has permanent water. It is an excellent area to relax, go on boating trips and when there is sufficient water in the small papyrus channels, experience a ‘mokoro’ trip in a dug out canoe. |
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There are several places to stay from self-catering camping, rustic
chalet and tented accommodation to luxury and fully catered tented
lodges. |
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| In the iKung language, the Gcwihaba Hills means ‘hyena’s hole’. It is not a very visited site as it is fairly inaccessible and requires 4 x 4 vehicle with long rage fuel tanks. The caverns contain stalagmites and stalactites which reach up to 10 metres in height or length. One of the legends of the caves includes one which tells of Hendrik Matthys van Zyl, a very wealthy founder of the village of Ghanzi, who supposedly buried part of his vast fortune there in the late nineteenth century. The caverns are dry and there are wild campsites in the area |
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