About 40–50km northwest of the Gcwihabe Hills, and visible from them, is a range of low, rounded hills: the Aha Hills. These straddle the Botswana-Namibia border, and are one of the most remote and little-visited destinations in Botswana.

Like the Gcwihaba Hills, this range is made of dolomite marble that has been split by weathering into numerous faults and fractures. This presents a very jagged surface, with many loose blocks underfoot, and isn't easy to walk on.

The range covers about 245km2, most of which is in Botswana, and very little of which has been properly mapped or documented. That said, it's interesting to note that on the Namibian side the range is much easier to reach than the hills in Botswana, being only about 20km from the good, gravel road which links Tsumkwe to Gam.

What to see and do

In some ways the hills are attractive simply because they're so remote, and because you can camp wherever you like. Though it's important, as always, that if you find yourself near a village then you ask permission to stay from the head villager.

Clambering around isn't as much fun here as in the Tsodilo Hills, simply because the rock surface is totally different. Instead of large boulders with an even surface and an easy grip, the Aha Hills are made of endless jagged little blocks. So if you do come here, then stout walking shoes with strong soles make clambering around a lot easier.

Two sites on the Botswana side have attracted some interest, and both are 'sink holes' – large holes in the ground. The local people apparently know both as simply 'Waxhu', which means 'house of god'.

Both can only be visited using specialist climbing/caving equipment, so don't be tempted to try and climb down. There are no mountain rescue teams in Botswana!

Waxhu Cave (north)
This was first described in 1974 and is about 70m deep.

Waxhu Cave
(south) Also known by some of its recent visitors as 'Independence Cave', because they first visited it on the fifth anniversary of Botswana's independence. This cave is about 50m deep.