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Kolobeng Mission

The foundations of David Livingstone's 1847 mission and house west of Gaborone, with his daughter's grave nearby.

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Typeruins
WhereKweneng District
Nearest cityGaborone
Best seasonApril to September
Time to allowAn hour
Getting thereAbout 40 km west of Gaborone, off the Thamaga road
EntrySmall charge

Kolobeng was the third and last mission David Livingstone built in the region, established in 1847 with the Bakwena under Chief Sechele, and abandoned in 1851 when the river dried and the situation became untenable. What remains is stone foundations of the house, the school and the church on a slope above the Kolobeng river, and the grave of Elizabeth, Livingstone's infant daughter, who died here in 1850. It is a national monument with minimal development.

What you actually see

  • The house foundations - the outline of Livingstone's home on the slope.
  • The church and school - foundations of the mission buildings alongside.
  • The grave - the burial of Livingstone's infant daughter Elizabeth.
  • The river - the Kolobeng below the site, dry for much of the year.

When to go

April to September is the most comfortable. Morning is best before the heat. The site is exposed with no shade at any time.

Honest expectations

There is little to see beyond low foundations and a few markers. Interpretation is limited and the site is often unstaffed. The access track is rough after rain.

Nearby

Manyana is south, and Gaborone is east.

What to pack for Kolobeng Mission

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Opening times, ticket prices and seasonal closures change - check the official source before you go: official site.

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