Among Mahalapye’s early permanent communities were Herero refugees, Xhosa horse herders, Lozwi railway workers, Kalanga and Bangwato. To this day, the names of the town’s neighborhoods recall the diverse origins of its population.

The Town’s History and Railway Role

Historically, Mahalapye was a transfer point between the southern railway line operated by South Africa and the northern line towards Zimbabwe. The histories of the different communities and the town’s former role in the railway thus offer distinct ways of looking at the town. If you are looking for a hotel in Mahalapye, you can consider when planning your trip whether you would like to focus on learning about the town’s history or also take in the landscape and cultural heritage of the wider Central District destination.

The Tswapong Hills in the Central District

In the wider Central District destination, the Tswapong Hills Cultural Landscape encompasses a mountain range about 70 km long and about 15 km wide, rising around 400 m above its surroundings. These measurements give an impression of the landscape’s scale and relief. Deep gorges have formed in the Tswapong Hills. Natural freshwater springs feed streams and seasonal rivers. When there is heavier rainfall, waterfalls form along streams and flow into lagoons; deep, moss-fringed pools also characterize the waterfalls in the hills. When considering the landscape, it is helpful to distinguish between seasonal rivers and rainfall-dependent waterfalls: not all of these water features depend on the same conditions.

Moremi Gorge: Waterfalls and Cultural Heritage

Moremi Gorge is in the Tswapong Hills in the wider Central District. It can be reached on foot via a steep ascent and is the source of three permanent waterfalls. The first two form large waterholes; the uppermost waterfall is 10 metres high and cascades over rocky ledges into a densely vegetated lagoon. The waterfalls therefore also differ in their described features: the waterholes define the first two, while the uppermost is distinguished by its height and lagoon. Take the steep ascent into account when making your personal plans.

Moremi Gorge is of great religious and spiritual significance to the local community. The Department of National Museums and Monuments has declared it a National Monument. Its landscape and cultural significance complement one another; neither can be reduced to the other.

Two Similarly Named Gorges

Goo-Moremi Gorge is at the northern end of the Tswapong Hills in the wider Central District, next to Manonnye-Moremi Gorge. A report published in 2017 describes it as a place for rock climbing. To help you find your bearings, you can distinguish between the names and the features associated with each: rock climbing has been described at Goo-Moremi; the steep walk and three permanent waterfalls are defining details of Moremi Gorge.

Before entering the Tswapong Hills, visitors are advised, as a courtesy, to ask the local Headman for permission. Please make arrangements locally.

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

Back to the wider travel overview: Central District.