Foraging in Tswapong Forest near Palapye

Overview

Available languages

English

6 hours

Mobile ticket

The Tswapong Hills of Botswana have been a cultural melting pot for nearly 2000 years. San, Venda, Pedi, Ndebele, Birwa and Ngwato peoples have all left their mark in the local cuisine and culture.

The virgin forest of the Hills has long been a source of wild vegetables, fruits and edible insects for the local people.

With the help of your local hosts you will learn how to collect and prepare some of the forest produce and get to taste the best of the traditional cuisine.

Our multimedia presentation over dinner covers the geology, prehistory, history, agriculture and wildlife of the Tswapong Hills. We hope it will encourage you to extend your stay and explore the hidden facets of this fascinating area.

The farm is also home to a good selection of the local nocturnal wildlife. Many animals are quite tame. The farm walking tracks are yours to explore after dinner if you wish. A favorite with children: the seemingly dull African bush really comes alive after sundown.

Additional Info

Service animals allowed

Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

What To Expect

A foraging expedition on foot on the farm and into the Tswapong Hills, a proposed UNESCO World Heritage Area. Then come back to the farm to participate in the preparation of some authentic local dishes, including several to tempt truly adventurous palates. Tastings of a range of local beverages and the honey from the local stingless wild bees. A three-course buffet dinner, served under the stars. Enjoy an interactive multimedia presentation on the natural and human history of the Tswapong area as you eat. If you wish, explore the farm by night after dinner. There is a frog listening post by the dam; and sightings of porcupines, ducklings, African hedgehogs and rock monitors are common. Torches provided.

Sample Menu

starter

Exotic Foods from the Forest

Will vary with the seasons. Tasting plates of melons, mophane worms, mosata fruits, serowa tubers, kalahari truffles and other forest produce.

main

Tshidzimba with delele and thepe

A traditional Venda dish of beans, ground nuts (ditlhoo), peanuts and samp, served with traditional African vegetables grown on the farm.

dessert

Wild fruits of the forest

Wild fruits indigenous to the area, served with icecream or yoghurt

What‘s Included

An interactive multimedia presentation over dinner

Torches if you wish to explore the farm by night

A buffet dinner of 100% authentic Batswapong dishes

A guided foraging experience in the Tswapong forests

Traditional ginger beer, mageu and other soft drinks

Motopi coffee and Motshudiri tea prepared from the trees on the farm

Tastings of the traditional drinks of the hills

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