Manyana village tour from Gaborone: 2000-year-old rock paintings

Rock paintings, a queen's cave, and the tree where Livingstone stood

A private guided half-day tour from Gaborone to Manyana village, a small settlement rich in history on the city's outskirts. You see 2000-year-old Khoe rock paintings spread across five cliff faces, visit the cave that housed a queen, walk to the David Livingstone tree at the village's heart, and learn about the hill used in Botswana's first territorial defense. The tour includes an English-speaking guide, air-conditioned vehicle, and bottled water. Pickup from Gaborone is included. The drive takes three to four hours total.

Step-by-step itinerary

Visit Manyana Village and Rock Paintings

• Drive from Gaborone to Manyana
• See 2000-year-old Bushmen rock paintings
• Visit hill used in Botswana's first defense
• Explore cave that housed a Queen
• Visit David Livingstone tree in village
• Meet locals and explore village

The experience

What makes Manyana worth the drive is that the rock paintings here date back between 1100 and 1700 AD, made by Khoe herders whose images of giraffe, antelope, human figures and geometric designs still cover five separate cliff faces. Your guide walks you through each site, explaining what the paintings meant and how they survived centuries in the open. The paintings are the most visited rock art in the Gaborone area, but the village itself stays quiet. You're not fighting crowds to see them.

Beyond the paintings, the tour moves through layers of Manyana's history. You visit the cave where a queen once lived, climb to the hill that served as Botswana's first line of defense, and reach the David Livingstone tree, where the explorer rested before his journey into central Africa. The guide introduces you to locals along the way, and if you request it, you can ride a donkey cart to the tree (a small tip for the cart operator goes directly to him). The vehicle stays air-conditioned between stops, and water is provided throughout.

The half-day format means you leave Gaborone in the morning or early afternoon and return with time left in your day. Your guide speaks English and knows the village's stories: what you see is framed by someone who can answer questions as they come up, not a self-guided walk through unmarked sites.

What’s included

• Bottled water throughout the tour.
• air-conditioned vehicle for all travel between Gaborone and Manyana.
• English-speaking guide for the full half-day.
• hotel or accommodation pickup from Gaborone included.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 09:00

Book up to4h before

AgesAdult (21 to 55 years) · Senior (56 and older) · Youth (11 to 20 years) · Child (2 to 10 years) · Infant (under 2): free

GroupUp to 50

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 3 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller-friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Heritage Adventures

Is this one for you?Book this tour if you want a private guide and a small group. You'll move at your own pace through the village's sites without waiting for a larger group to catch up. The three- to four-hour span works well for a morning or early-afternoon departure, leaving your evening free.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (11 to 20 years); Child (2 to 10 years); Infant (under 2): free.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What exactly are the rock paintings at Manyana, and how old are they?

The Manyana rock paintings date from between 1100 and 1700 AD, created by Khoe herders using images of giraffe, antelope, human figures and geometric designs. They cover five separate cliff faces across the site and are the most visited rock art in the Gaborone area.

Does the tour include a donkey cart ride to the David Livingstone tree?

A donkey cart ride to the tree is available on request if the cart operator is present that day. It's an optional extra with a small tip paid directly to the operator. Otherwise, the tour reaches the tree by car.

How long does the tour take, and what time does it start?

The tour runs three to four hours total, including the drive from Gaborone and all stops in the village. Your guide will confirm the exact departure time when you book.

Is lunch included in the tour?

Lunch is not included. The tour focuses on the village's historical sites. Bottled water is provided throughout the day.

Will the guide explain the history of the sites we visit?

Yes, your guide speaks English and leads the tour, explaining the rock paintings, the queen's cave, the defense hill, and the David Livingstone tree as you visit each one.