Beyond Wildlife: Unlocking Botswana’s heritage and cultural tourism potential

maikgantsho ramontsho | Thursday September 3, 2026 15:35

Heritage and cultural tourism involves travelling to experience the history, traditions, physical artefacts and living customs of a particular community or society. In simple terms, it allows visitors to understand not only where a country is going, but also where it has come from. There are two important concepts in this form of tourism: heritage and culture. Heritage tourism focuses largely on places and objects associated with the past, including monuments, archaeological sites, historic buildings, museums and other sites of historical importance. Unfortunately, this form of tourism has not received the same attention in Botswana as wildlife tourism. Yet, Botswana is endowed with numerous historical places that have stories worth telling.

Take Lobatse, for example. The town has a rich history and played a significant role in the liberation history of Southern Africa. It provided refuge to prominent figures such as Nelson Mandela and Samora Machel. Sites such as the Fish Keitseng Monument, Samora Machel Museum and Mandela’s hideout provide opportunities for visitors to learn about this important history. The recently developed Lobatse Heritage Hiking Trail further combines historical attractions with the town’s scenic mountainous landscape, making Lobatse a potential destination for educational, cultural and recreational tourism. However, there is a worrying gap between having these attractions and ensuring that Batswana know about them. The author of this article was surprised when he encountered students from the Lobatse Institute of Health Sciences at the Samora Machel Museum who appeared to have limited knowledge of the historical richness of their own town.

Lobatse also has several historic buildings and sites, including the Old Mental Hospital, the former Legislative Council and Geological Survey facilities, amongst others. The town’s historical significance as one of the places considered for the capital of Botswana is another story that deserves greater attention, particularly amongst young people. If this history is effectively packaged and promoted to the youth, it could stimulate greater interest in visiting Lobatse and, in the process, encourage domestic tourism. Another important site is Old Palapye, commonly known as Phalatswe. The site remains an important but underutilised heritage tourism attraction. Old Palapye became the capital of the Bangwato under Kgosi Khama III in 1889 and remained the capital until 1902, when the seat was moved to Serowe. Today, visitors can find the remains of the London Missionary Society Church, historic graves, old settlement remains and archaeological evidence of earlier communities.

The area is also associated with natural attractions, including the Tswapong Hills and Photophoto Gorge. Its importance to Botswana’s heritage is further demonstrated by its designation as a National Monument. In the north, Lesoma in the Chobe area provides another example of a site with enormous heritage tourism potential. Lesoma is closely associated with Botswana’s military and liberation history. On February 27, 1978, during the liberation struggle in neighbouring Rhodesia, Rhodesian forces ambushed a Botswana Defence Force patrol at Lesoma, resulting in the deaths of 15 BDF soldiers. The Lesoma Memorial Monument was subsequently established to honour the fallen soldiers. These are not merely historical events.

They are stories that can be transformed into meaningful tourism experiences that educate visitors while preserving the memory of those who shaped the country’s history. The contribution of the Bakgatla and Kgosi Linchwe to the struggles in Southern Africa also provides another important heritage tourism opportunity. During the South African War of 1899–1902, Bakgatla forces under Kgosi Linchwe I fought alongside the British against the Boers, partly to protect Bakgatla interests and strengthen their position in the Transvaal. Later, during the struggle against apartheid, Kgosi Linchwe II and the Bakgatla territory around Mochudi became associated with regional liberation movements. Cross-border networks provided routes and safe spaces for political activists and refugees, while the area was also used for the movement of materials in support of the liberation struggle. Such stories demonstrate that Botswana’s heritage extends far beyond wildlife and national parks.

Our towns, villages, monuments, battlefields, museums, traditional institutions and historic buildings all tell stories that can attract both domestic and international visitors. The challenge is therefore not a lack of heritage. The challenge is how we package, preserve, promote and commercialise it responsibly. Botswana should consider developing heritage tourism routes linking places such as Lobatse, Old Palapye, Mochudi and Lesoma. Schools and tertiary institutions should also be encouraged to incorporate heritage excursions into their programmes. Young Batswana, in particular, need to know these stories because they are the custodians of the country’s heritage. If properly developed, heritage and cultural tourism can diversify Botswana’s tourism industry, generate income for local communities, create employment and, most importantly, preserve our history for future generations. Our heritage is not simply a story of the past. It is a tourism resource for the future.

This discussion will be expanded in the next edition. *Maikgantsho Ramontsho is the chief executive officer (CEO) of The Heritage Town (Pty) Ltd, a company which promotes heritage and cultural tourism. Please contact him at 78 421 052 or Email: ramontsho@rocketmail.com