AT A GLANCE
Why go?
Shashe Dam is a vast artificial lake in northeastern Botswana, set in the sweeping landscape of the North-East District about 25 kilometres southwest of Francistown. Built in the early 1970s to supply water to mining towns, it has since become a beloved recreational spot for locals and a wildlife haven on the Shashe River. The reservoir stretches 15 kilometres long and up to 4.2 kilometres wide, creating a dramatic expanse of open water in a semi-arid region.↗
While ambitious tourism development plans have been drawn up, the area remains largely a place of natural beauty and informal recreation — perfect for travellers seeking an off-the-beaten-path experience in Botswana's less-visited northeast.↗↗
From Mining Lifeline to Open Water
Shashe Dam was born from Botswana's mineral ambitions. Construction began in 1970 as part of a major infrastructure investment to support the copper-nickel ore reserves at Selebi and Phikwe, two towns whose fortunes were tied to underground metal. The 3.5-kilometre-long, 27-metre-high zoned embankment was completed in 1973, impounding the Shashe River behind a wall of earth and rock. Water was pumped to Selebi-Phikwe through a dedicated underground pipeline.
