The Tsodilo Hills are a series of four hills in Botswana that include many historic Bushman and San Rock Paintings. Visit the surrounding Botswana Tsodilo Hills areas with Jenman African Safaris.

OUR BOTSWANA SAFARIS AND THE TSODILO HILLS: 

Tsodilo Hills is a series of four hills that protrude from the dry and bush covered area in Botswana. Tsodilo Hills derived its name from the Hambukushu word ‘Soriles” which means sheer. These hills contain many historic Bushmen (San) rock art paintings which are found in the Tsodilo area, an area known to be filled with mystery and spirituality. Many tourists have reported ‘feelings’ whilst visiting the area on a Botswana Safari – some are drawn to the magical aura of the hills while others sense an uneasy feeling and want to leave. Either way… no-one can deny that these hills are surrounded by spirits and ‘forces’ that protect the hills and the animals in the area, making it a magical Botswana Safari destination.

Tsodilo Hills is located about 53km South-West of Shakawe, Botswana, and consists of four hills that rise sharply out of the flat area approximately 400m high. This area has been inhabited for over 30 000 years and has become one of the world’s oldest historical sites. The four hills are arranged in roughly a straight line. The most southerly hill is called the ‘male hill’ and it reaches a height of 410m. Fairly close to this Tsodilo Hill, is the ‘female hill’ which is 3 times the area of the male hill, only reaching a height of 300m. To the North-West of this hill is a smaller hill known as the ‘child hill’, approximately 40m high. The forth and final hill (unnamed) of the Tsodilo Hills, is located far away from the ‘child hill’ and is rumoured to be the male’s first wife.

The San people believe this area to be highly sacred – they believe the gods, spirits and the deceased all rest near these Botswana hills and rule the world from an area within the female hill. It is believed that these gods will cause misfortune to anyone that kills or hurts near these hills. The Hambukushu also believe that these ‘hills’ is the area where god lowered man to the ground… Visit this area on a Botswana Safari to explore this region!

These hills have more than 4000 Bushmen paintings located in the areas surrounding the 4 hills - making it one of the world’s most important rock art collections. Some of the paintings include drawings of whales, penguins, people, Bushmen trance dances, animals… Most of the paintings are found near the female hill. The paintings are stereotypically very different to other Bushmen paintings – they hardly tell stories and are mainly of an animal (usually the eland) or of a single figure of nature. Many tourists visit these hills on a Botswana Safari to simply see these unique paintings.

Many archeologists have visited and studied this area finding interesting facts and findings, such as; the belief that this area holds some clues to possible human migration to Southern Africa. This area also has evidence of shore lines from a beach and animal fish hooks dating back 20 000 years… There are also findings that point to the Tsodilo people engaging in hematite and mica mining between AD 800 and 1.100.  Either way… the Tsodilio Hills are filled with history and mystery that can be seen in the Rock Art paintings that scatter those areas surrounding these mystical hills – discover this region on a Botswana Safari!

Have a look at our other Botswana Safari Attractions that you might want to visit on your Botswana Safari below.