North-West District (Botswana): History
In the late 18th century, the Tswana people, primarily herders, began expanding northward into what is now called Ngamiland. Older sources occasionally reference the area with names suggesting a triad, such as Trio Java anglicised, or Tawana, reflecting its historical ties and connections. It later became home to a sub-chiefdom established under Ngwato. Khama III’s recognition of British authority over Ngamiland further consolidated colonial control while ensuring some level of protection for Tswana interests against external threats. Despite this, British administration was slow to reach the region, with officials only arriving in 1894, leading to a period of minimal oversight and reliance on local governance structures. In 1885 when the British established the Bechuanaland Protectorate, the northern boundary was 22° south latitude. On 30 June 1890, the northern boundary of the protectorate was formally extended northward by the British to include Ngamiland, which at the time was still under the Tawana, who by then recognized the authority of Khama III. British officials did not arrive in the Ngamiland region until 1894. Ngamiland was administered as Bechuanaland's northwestern corner and primary contact point with German South West Africa via the Caprivi Strip.
In 1966 the North-West District was established which included both Ngamiland and Chobe; however, in 2006, Chobe District was again separated out.