Central District: Tswapong Hills and Moremi Gorge

The Tswapong Hills shape the landscape of the Central District, with long mountain ridges, deep gorges and water fed by springs and rain. Moremi Gorge adds waterfalls and cultural significance. If you are looking for a hotel in the Central District, this landscape can help guide your trip planning: what role should topography, waterscapes and cultural heritage play in your stay? The following features help put the region’s different facets into context.

An extensive mountain ridge

The Tswapong Hills Cultural Landscape encompasses a mountain range about 70 kilometres long and about 15 kilometres wide, rising around 400 metres above its surroundings. These approximate figures convey both the landscape’s extent and its difference in elevation: the range is considerably longer than it is wide and provides a vast setting for the gorges. Deep gorges have formed in the hills. Together, the mountain ridge and its cuts shape the terrain, while springs, streams and waterfalls create different waterscapes. These measurements describe the scale of this landscape; Moremi Gorge is a specific place within it, with features of its own.

Springs, rain and seasonal waterways

Natural freshwater springs are the source of streams in the Tswapong Hills. When there is heavier rain, waterfalls form and flow into lagoons. The deep gorges also have seasonal rivers and streams fed by natural springs, with waterfalls forming deep, moss-lined pools. The landscape therefore includes both seasonal rivers and waterfalls, lagoons and pools. Although these features belong to the same landscape, they are not all described in the same way: some waterfalls form during heavier rain, while Moremi Gorge is characterised by three permanent waterfalls.

Moremi Gorge and its waterfalls

Moremi Gorge can be reached on foot via a steep ascent and is the source of three permanent waterfalls. The first two waterfalls form large waterholes; the uppermost is 10 metres high and plunges over rock ledges into a densely vegetated lagoon. The described water features therefore vary within the gorge: the waterholes are the focus at the first two waterfalls, while the uppermost is notable for its height and lagoon. For travellers especially interested in gorges and waterscapes, Moremi Gorge offers a specific route on foot and several striking natural features.

Cultural significance and planning your visit

Moremi Gorge is of great religious and spiritual significance to the local community. It has also been declared a National Monument by the Department of National Museums and Monuments. Its cultural importance adds to the natural description: the gorge is a significant place in the Tswapong Hills not only because of its waterfalls. As a courtesy, it is advisable to ask the local Headman for permission before entering the Tswapong Hills. Ask locally about the appropriate procedure.

Goo-Moremi Gorge and rock climbing

Another gorge, Goo-Moremi Gorge, lies at the northern end of the Tswapong Hills, next to Manonnye-Moremi Gorge. A report from 2017 describes it as an opportunity for rock climbing. This adds another trip-planning option alongside the waterscapes and cultural heritage. If rock climbing is part of your plans, check current visitor access in advance.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Mahalapye, Tutume, Mahalapye, Letlhakane, Selibe-Phikwe, Palapye, Nata, Lentswelemoriti, Mathathane.

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