Mwela Rock Paintings Travel Guide: Top Sights in Zambia, Tours &

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Mwela Rock Paintings- Travel Tips What to See, How to Plan & Tours: Historical & Cultural; Zambia; 5 Reviews

Suggested Duration: 2 hours

Nestled just east of Kasama, the Mwela Rock Paintings stretch across more than 100 km² of granite outcrops and caves, forming one of the densest displays of rock art in Africa. Over 1,000 individual pictographs—dated to the Later Stone Age and attributed to hunter-gatherer groups such as the Batwa or Twa—include both abstract geometric patterns and remarkably fluid animal and human figures, some created around 2,000 years ago. The site's protective status as a national monument highlights its deep heritage and archaeological importance. Beyond its archaeological value, Mwela is woven into the spiritual and cultural landscape of the surrounding Bemba community. Traditional custodianship, including taboos and ancestral shrines, continues to influence how the site is honored and preserved, bridging ancient heritage with present-day cultural identity.

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Reviews of Mwela Rock Paintings

Jan Verhavert

5
Reviewed: 2025-07-27

Must see !!! Very interesting place, especially if you ask Rufus for a guided tour.
Jarney Lwendo Chisandi

5
Reviewed: 2025-04-25

Expansive àrea showing the caves where the stone people used to reside in the caves. The art paintings are awesome too.Its a wonder what materials they used to survive such a long time
Yabi Siavwapa

4
Reviewed: 2025-03-29

Good place to learn about natural history
Anne-Thora Vardøy-Mutale

5
Reviewed: 2024-04-10

Well worth a visit. Mwela rock art site is 100km vast and has over 700 cave paintings - making it one of the richest areas for rock art in Africa. You can see several caves and some rock art highlights in a 30 minute tour along the walkways. Some paintings are 10,000 years old , created by the San bushmen/Twa people. It is an exciting area for kids to explore and climb. The campsite was upgraded last year and there is now a braai area with a tap, bathrooms with toilets and showers. Our guide was knowledgeable and made it fun for the kids! Just a 10 minute drive out of Kasama, 5km or so along Mungwi road. There is a signpost and ticket office.
Lighton Phiri

5
Reviewed: 2018-04-30

We only had time to check the Mwankole site, which has a number of caves and some 'Later Stone Age' rock art paintings. Sadly, the paintings are fading away [...] The botanical garden is also something worth seeing.