As they roared over the sand dune, the hills began to rise sharply against the silver horizon. Soon it became apparent that what they were seeing were four quartzite outcrops lined up like a necklace from the tallest to the smallest, clearly dominating the dry savanna. A Chinese gentleman in front of Manhattan whispered to his enchanted wife, "Look at them. How beautiful. The City of Rock Art."         

            "They are also called the 'Louvre of the Desert,'" Manhattan added politely.

            The local people, known as the San, gave each of the hills a name according to its size and spiritual significance. The tallest, known as The Male, is approximately 450 meters high, making it the highest point in Botswana. The second-tallest is referred to as The Female. The next one in line is simply called The Child, while the little knoll is known as the The Divorcee, for The Male is now married to The Female.

            There are about 4,500 paintings on the rocks of the Tsodilo Hills, some of which date back as far as 20,000 years.