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Tswapong Hills....
Description and history
The Tswapong hills, located 40km south of Palapye, are about 15km wide and rise 400m above their surroundings.
These hills have their own micro-climate with considerably more rainfall than the regional average resulting in rich biodiversity. The water
in the hills is its main attraction and it was this that led the to the formation of Phalatswe in the
Phothophotho valley. This 30,000 strong settlement moved on as the water source dried up, perhaps due to the
high demand. A number of villages still exist at the foot of the hills with the surrounding area being a good source of water and grazing land for
livestock.
Wildlife
The flora and fauna of the hills can be spectacular with some plant species found here that are not found anywhere else in Botswana. The hills are home to a number of mammals including leopard, brown hyena, kudu and porcupine though these are seldom seen due to the pressures of hunting in the area. Rock dassies are commonly seen as are Baboons and this is one of the few areas in Botswana where Jameson's Rock Rabbit is found. The streams and pools contain small fish and crabs and the birdlife is abundant with over 330 species being seen. There are two Cape Vulture colonies in the Hills - one at Gootau and the other at Moremi. These birds are a protected species and therefore tourists are required to take care not to disturb these birds especially during the breeding season.Places of Interest
The Tswapong Hills contain many deep gorges with seasonal and some permanent springs giving rise to streams which form cascading waterfalls in places with deep pools. The most accesible and perhaps most spectacular waterfalls can be found in the Moremi Gorge - now a conservation area due to the protected Cape Vultures which breed here. This area is part of the Moremi Community Trust project and an entrance fee is charged for this area. There are many unexplored gorges due to the prevalant fear of ancestral spirits which are believed to dwell in the hills. As a result the area remains unspoilt and contains many hidden treasures for the intrepid explorer.Click on the images below to explore this spectacular environment.
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| Malaka Gorge | Gootau | Old Palapye | Phothophotho Gorge |
Further Information
For organised self-drive safaris throughout Botswana contact:
DriveBotswana
P.O Box 10937
Palapye
Tel: (+267) 4923416
www.drivebotswana.com
- Malaka Gorge
General
This gorge only has a small waterfall as the stream emerges from the rock near the foot of the hills. The gorge is more open than most and
as a result the flora is less diverse than Moremi Gorge for example.
How to get there
The gorge can be accessed from Malaka village - by walking up stream from 
the
village - or by following the road towards Old Palapye and branching off to the left to follow the track that runs parallel to the foot of the hills.
This road ends near the entrance to the gorge and from here its only a short walk to the beginning of the stream.
What to see
The waterfall here is only small though the stream is pleasant as it bubbles through the boulders at the bottom of the spectacular gorge. The water
springs out of the rock just a few metres upstream of the waterfall. Beyond the spring there is a wooded valley with tall trees making this a good
birding location. Baboon are commonly seen in the gorge especially during the evening as they return to their sleeping sites on the cliff faces.
We found a number of porcupine quills as well as Leopard spoor giving evidence to the presence of these shy animals but as with
most of the wildlife in the hills they are seldom encountered.
- Gootau
General
Gootau has the biggest of the two breeding colonies of Cape Vultures with more than 200 breeding pairs. This magnificent bird is listed as vulnerable
as its numbers have been in decline due to the combined effects of declining game numbers, poisoning by farmers and electrocution from powerlines.
Due to its importance as one of only a few breeding sites of this species this area is protected and permission must be requested of the chief of
Gootau before visiting this site and care must be taken not to disturb these birds especially during the breeding season - winter.
How to get there
Gootau village is now accessible by tarred road from the Martin's Drift/Groblersbrug border post road. Once in the village directions to the chief's
residence can be obtained and he will then give directions to the foot of the hills. After passing the dam on the outskirts of the village the road
becomes a rough track which eventually disappears. From here you follow the dry stream bed up into the gorge. This trek takes about 2hrs of solid
walking/scrambling through thorny scrub. Once you have reached the first cliff the best view is from the right-hand slope of the gorge which is not
too steep to climb. From here you have a good view across the valley of the cliffs though a good pair of binoculars or a telescope are essential to
be able to see the birds up close.
What to see
Apart from the cliffs and associated Cape Vultures this area is also home to birds such as Rock Bunting, Black Eagle, Black Stork, Striped Cuckoo,
Meyer's Parrot and Striped Pipit. Baboons are frequently seen and we have found evidence of Brown Hyena's in the gorge.
- Old Palapye (Phalatswe)
General
Phalatswe was the Bangwato capital for 13 years from 1889 to 1902, during the reign of Khama III, before they migrated to Serowe.
At the time of the settlement there were up to 30,000 people living here at the foot of the Tswapong Hills, including resident
European missionaries, hunters and adventurers.
The picturesque Phothophotho valley was one of the initial
attractions as it provided water for the inhabitants and their livestock.
How to get there
From Palapye take the Gaborone road and then take the road towards the South African border. Approximately 5kms from this junction there will be
a tarred road on your left signposted Lecheng 9km. Once you
have passed through this picturesque village look out for the Botswana Museum sign-post
on your right-hand side.
Follow the dirt track and it will lead you towards the hills taking you past the remains of the prison house and eventually bringing you through
to the church building.
What to see
The most popular feature of the site is the burnt-brick relic of
the London Missionary Society church (pictured here) built between 1891 and 1894. The site also has remains of a prison, a market centre,
European grave site and African burials including that of Khama III's wife. Throughout the site piles of stones provide evidence of traditional
Bangwato rondavels that once existed in this area.
- Phothophotho Gorge
General
One of the more accessible places in the hills Phothophotho Gorge is nevertheless worth exploring.
Unfortunately its accessibility means it is a good place for cows and donkeys to come
especially during the dry season when water is scarce since
the water here is more permanent. Most of the cows drink further downstream so you will soon leave most of the behind as you continue upstream.
Not far from the start of the gorge you will come to a large waterfall (pictured) which filters down into a large pool. Above the waterfall
(accessed by climbing to the left of the gorge) is a seasonal river dry for most of the year - when this flows the waterfall is much more
spectacular.
How to get there
The directions are the same as for Old Palapye. You can either park in the church compound and walk towards the gorge or take the track off to the
left just before the church which eventually becomes the dry stream bed. Follow this towards the gorge.
What to see
The birdlife is typical of what you find in most areas of the Tshwapong Hills and includes Cape Vulture, Mocking chat, Blackcollared Barbet and
Redwinged Starling. Rock Dassies and Baboons are commonly seen here too.
