Things to Do in Oodi Weavers

Watch master weavers at work

The Oodi Weavers workshop floor hums with activity as craftspeople transform raw mohair into intricate tapestries. You'll hear the distinctive thwack of wooden beaters compressing weft threads while the sharp smell of natural dyes drifts from bubbling pots outside. Most visitors end up spending longer than planned, hypnotized by elderly weavers whose fingers move with mechanical precision through patterns they've memorized over decades.

Try your hand at weaving

The cooperative runs impromptu lessons where you'll struggle to coordinate a simple coaster while eight-year-olds nearby weave complex geometric patterns from memory. Your shoulders will ache within minutes from the unfamiliar motion of throwing the shuttle, and you'll gain new respect for the muscular memory required to create those flawless wall hangings you've seen in hotel lobbies.

arpet gallery browsing

The showroom displays roll after roll of carpets in patterns that reference traditional basketry - you'll spot the familiar 'lightning' and 'tears of the giraffe' motifs woven large enough to cover living room floors. The texture under your fingers shifts from rough mohair blends to surprisingly soft merino pieces, with prices that escalate based on knot density and complexity of design.

Photograph the dyeing process

Behind the main building, massive steel drums bubble with natural dyes made from onion skins, beetroot and indigenous plants. The scene feels almost medieval - women stir steaming vats with wooden paddles while clouds of colored steam rise into the acacia trees overhead. You'll catch the metallic tang of mordants mixing with sweeter notes of simmering plant matter.

Explore the village walking route

A dusty path loops past traditional homesteads where grandmothers sit weaving smaller items on portable looms, their fingers never pausing in conversation. You'll hear the distant lowing of cattle and catch whiffs of woodsmoke from cooking fires mixing with the ever-present scent of animal hair processing. The walk gives context to how weaving permeates everyday life here.

The weavers' own guesthouse - basic but you're sleeping above the workshop where looms start up at dawn

Tlokweng options 15 minutes away - more variety and better restaurants

Gaborone backpackers if you're on a tight budget - easy day trip to Oodi

Riverwalk lodges near the Notwane - surprisingly tranquil for being so close to the city

Home stays arranged through the cooperative - you'll eat village food and hear looms running late into evening

Oodi Primary School grounds - camping is tolerated if you ask the headmaster first