Molepolole village tour from Gaborone: Meet the Bakwena tribe

Mud huts and the daily life of a Kalahari village

A village tour from Gaborone to Molepolole takes you into homesteads of the Bakwena tribe, where you walk among traditional mud and cow dung structures and see how people live day to day. The guide is English-speaking and pickup is included from your hotel. The drive passes through rocky plains and settlements most visitors skip, and ends with a distant view of David Livingstone Cave, where the first Christian conversion in the region took place.

The experience

Molepolole is the largest village in Africa and the gateway to the Kalahari. The tour starts with a drive from Gaborone through rocky plains and different settlements, a route that shows you the Botswana most tourists don't see. Once there, you visit local homesteads in a small settlement to get close to traditional structures and understand what a day looks like for people living in the village. Each visit is different (the guide cannot predict what you'll encounter), but you'll stand in front of mud huts built the traditional way and see the materials and methods that have held for generations.

The homestead visits are the core of the experience. You meet village locals and walk among them, seeing how tradition and religion intersect in daily life. Before heading back to Gaborone, the tour includes a drive-by view of David Livingstone Cave in the distance, the site of the region's first Christian conversion. The whole outing runs three hours and includes an air-conditioned vehicle and bottled water.

What’s included

• Air-conditioned vehicle.
• bottled water.
• English-speaking guide.
• hotel pickup from Gaborone.

Before you book

Days and timesMonday to FridayDeparts at 09:00

Book up to10h before

AgesAdult (21 to 55 years) · Senior (56 and older) · Youth (12 to 20 years) · Child (3 to 11 years) · Infant (under 3): free

GroupPrivate

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-friendlyInfant seats availablePets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Heritage Adventures

Is this one for you?Pickup from your Gaborone hotel means you don't need a car or local driving knowledge to reach Molepolole. The guide handles the route through the rocky plains and settlements, and brings you back at the end of the three hours.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (12 to 20 years); Child (3 to 11 years); Infant (under 3): 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 do I see inside the traditional homes in Molepolole?

Traditional mud huts built with mud and cow dung show you the construction methods and materials used by the Bakwena tribe. You get close enough to understand the structure and see how families live in these spaces day to day, though the specific details of each homestead vary depending on which settlement the guide takes you to.

Is this tour accessible if I use a wheelchair or have mobility concerns?

Yes, the tour is wheelchair accessible. All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible, and the vehicle itself is wheelchair accessible. Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller, and specialized infant seats are available if you need one.

How long is the drive from Gaborone to Molepolole?

The entire tour is three hours. That includes the drive from Gaborone, time spent in the village homesteads, and the return journey, so plan for a morning or afternoon block of your day.

What is David Livingstone Cave and why is it part of the tour?

David Livingstone Cave is the site where the first Christian conversion in the region took place. The tour includes a distant view of it as you leave Molepolole, giving context to how religion and tradition have shaped the area.

Does the tour include meals or snacks?

Bottled water is included. Meals are not part of the tour, so eat before you go or plan to grab food in Gaborone after you return.