Kanye
One of the oldest villages in Botswana, on a hillside above a gorge, capital of the Bangwaketse.
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Kanye has been the Bangwaketse capital since the eighteenth century and is among the oldest continuously settled villages in the country, built on a hillside with a gorge cutting below it. The kgotla and the chief's compound sit at the centre, and walks lead down into the gorge and out to a dam nearby. Stone-walled remains of earlier settlement are found on the hills around, which is part of what makes the age of the place legible on the ground.
What you actually see
- The gorge - a rock cut below the village with walking routes down into it.
- The kgotla - the Bangwaketse meeting place at the centre.
- The stone walling - remains of earlier settlement on the surrounding hills.
- The dam - a reservoir nearby with walking and birdwatching.
When to go
April to September is the dry season and most comfortable. The gorge walk is best in the morning. Summer storms make the rock slippery.
Honest expectations
The village has little formal tourist infrastructure and few facilities. The gorge paths are unmarked and a local guide helps. Sites of interest are spread out.
Nearby
Manyana is northeast, and Gaborone is northeast on the main road.
What to pack for Kanye
Chosen from what this place is for. Tap a kit for the full checklist.
Opening times, ticket prices and seasonal closures change - check the official source before you go: official site.