17 Dec 2014

President Lt Gen. Seretse Khama Ian Khama is expected to officially open tourism facilities at Gcwihaba National Monument today, December 18.

The facilities included a gatehouse with ablution block constructed by Xai Xai community in partnership with the Mnistry of Environment, Wildlife and Tourism through Ipelegeng programme.

There are also campsites  built by Botswana Tourism Organization, a borehole provided by De Wet Drilling while the concession boreholes were provided by United Nations Development Programme – Global Environmental facility.

A press release from the Ministry of Environment, Wildlife and Tourism stated that the facilities were supported with telecommunication equipment donated by Botswana Telecommunications Corporation and a solar powered borehole pump donated by Stanbic Bank.

It further stated that the aim of providing the facilities was to empower Xai Xai Tlhabologo Community Trust to implement tourism activities in and around Gcwhihaba National Monument area as well as to enhance the diversification of tourism products in Ngamiland.

Gcwihaba is a fascinating underground labyrinthe of caverns and pits, linked passages, fantastical stalagmite and stalactite formations, and beautifully coloured flowstones that appear like waterfalls of rock, says the release.

It further states that Gcwihaba caves were declared national monument in 2006 because of their unique geological formation of beauty containing stalagmites and stalactites that also supports unusually large colonies of four resident bat species. ENDS