Northwestern Botswana attractions

This odd-looking tree, near a small pool at the start of the Rhino Trail on Female Hill, was described to Laurens van der Post as the Tree of True Knowledge by the San guide who led him there. According to the guide…

Cliff Trail passes an amazing natural cistern (in a rock grotto near the northwestern corner of Female Hill), which has held water year-round for as long as anyone can remember. The San believe this natural tank is …

Directly across from the hollow on the southeastern side of Female Hill, one of the few Tsodilo paintings containing human figures depicts a dancing crowd of sexually excited male figures – Alec Campbell, the foremo…

One of the most fascinating paintings is the zebra painting on a small outcrop north of Female Hill. This stylised equine figure is now used as the logo of Botswana National Museum and Monuments. It lies beyond the …

On the southeast corner of Female Hill, and accessible along the Rhino Trail, look for the amazing whale and penguin paintings that suggest an intriguing link between the early San and the Namibian coast.

In 1932 a group of San showed Gcwihaba (meaning ‘Hyena’s Hole’) to a farmer named Martinus Drotsky, who humbly decided to name the cave after himself. Legend also has it that the fabulously wealthy Hendrik Matthys v…

An adjunct to the Rhino Trail is a short but hazardously rocky climb along what is sometimes called the Divuyu Trail, leading to the scattered remains of Divuyu village.

On the southeast corner of Female Hill, around the corner and to the west of the whale and penguin painting, the rhino and giraffe painting portrays a rhino family and an authentic-looking giraffe.

An adjunct to the Rhino Trail is a short but hazardously rocky climb along what is sometimes called the Divuyu Trail, leading to Laurens van der Post’s Panel, which contains elands and giraffes.

The partially marked Cliff Trail goes past the unassuming site known as the ‘Origin of Sex’ painting, around the northern end of Female Hill and into a deep and mysterious hidden valley.