Tsodilo Hills

Marvel at the well-preserved, original rock paintings created by early humans at one of the oldest historical sites in the world. Through the art left by these early people, you are offered a unique look at the development of the human species and the interesting relationship they had with the nature around them.

Tsodilo Hills is a treasure trove for anyone wanting a better insight into early human life and the development thereof. Containing rock paintings which range from the Stone Age right up to the 19^th Century, few places in the world contain such a high concentration of important rock art. The paintings cover a wider range of different geometric shapes, animal species and human figures, created over different periods of time. Some paintings have even been speculated to reflect penguins and whales, which would be a very uncommon sight in the Kalahari Desert! These paintings would suggest the ancient San (or Basarwa as they are sometimes referred to in Botswana) had knowledge of these creatures and they preserved their knowledge on these rocks through paintings for future generations to see. Fishhooks have also been discovered at Tsodilo Hills, these tracing back to approximately 20,000 years ago. So perhaps the paintings before mentioned do not actually depict penguins or whales but rather fish, which were once found in the area. You will have to come and judge for yourself.

You can find paintings of not only the San but also of the Bantu-speaking Hambukushu tribe at Tsodilo Hills. To differentiate the paintings from another, one needs to look at the colour of them. The oldest rock paintings are those of the San and are a red colour made from what is believed to be a mixture of blood and red ochre clay. The more recent Hambukushu’s paintings are white and are speculated to consist of a mixture containing ostrich shells and ash. The Tsodilo Hills are sacred to both peoples and they both believe it to be the home of their ancestral spirits. The site also contains the exact spot where the Hambukushu believe their god brought them and their cattle down to earth.

Along the historical path you might also encounter some of the area’s wildlife. The Tsodilo Hills are home to kudu, duiker and steenbok as well as many other smaller creatures. Sometimes you may even see leopard tracks as leopards do roam these hills, however sighting them is very rare indeed.

Through the help of a local guide, the Tsodilo Hills and its paintings can come alive as you discover more about this ancient site. Each step on a guided tour is a step towards a better understanding of an ancient way of life and each painting, a monument to a time long passed.