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![]() There are several interesting places one can visit to entice their view. We have the Lentswe La Baratani (meaning Rocky hill of lovers). This place is located in the village of Otse (15km from Lobatse). It is considered a sacred and holy place by the village residents. Climbing it would be considered very disrespectful. Many legends are linked to Baratani, one of which tells how lovers who climb up the hill, disappear forever and never return. Baratani means "the lovers". Solomon's Wall is one of the most remarkable, strange geological features in Botswana. This stark basalt dyke once formed a steep-sided natural dam wall across the Motloutse River, and the two sides of this breached barrier still tower up to 30 m high, guarding each side of the narrow gorge. The vertical sides of this ancient dyke are a constant 10 m wide, and they once held back a great lake behind what must once have been a wide and incredibly beautiful waterfall. Evidence of this lake can be found in the number of alluvial semi-precious stones including quartz and agate that can be found along the Motloutse's riverbed in this area. A four-wheel drive is necessary to reach Solomon's Wall, but it is well worth visiting as there are often deep clear pools of cool water in the sandy riverbed and with ample shade from the fever trees which edge this natural beach, and it is a perfect picnic spot. Treat yourslelf with a visit to Mothabaneng village to have a look at some beautiful rock paintings. The paintings depict human and wild animal figures by early settlers. Villagers have been encouraged to venture into tourism and serve as tour guides for the visiting tourist. Most of the visitors to the area are either in transit to Maun and Chobe areas or visiting Mashatu Game Reserve. Up to date information on what to see in the surrounding areas has been compiled and is distributed to tourists and the general public. More Rock paintings can be found at a small village called Manyana. These rock paintings are located in an area of several rock overhangs at the base of the Kolobeng Hill some 35km to the west of Gaborone near the village of Manayana. Artifacts dating back to the Late Stone and Iron Ages have been found here in addition to the rock art, which is probably more modern. The paintings are rather faint but there are usually children from the village who are prepared to point them out to visitors. There are pictures of rhino, gemsbok, antelope and a group of 3 giraffes as well as human and geometric shapes. The paintings are in shades of red, orange, brown and black but rather surprisingly no white paint has been used as in other Iron Age sites. Because of the water source from the nearby Kolobeng River it is possible that Manayana was a place of ritual for the San people (Bushmen) and this is the reason for this relatively rich rock art site. |




