Lesotho, “Kingdom in the Sky”
Lesotho is a high-altitude, landlocked kingdom encircled by South Africa, is crisscrossed by a network of rivers and mountain ranges including the 3,482m-high peak of Thabana Ntlenyana. On the Thaba Bosiu plateau, near Lesotho’s capital, Maseru, are ruins dating from the 19th-century reign of King Moshoeshoe I. Thaba Bosiu overlooks iconic Mount Qiloane, an enduring symbol of the nation’s Basotho people. Lesotho holds the record as being the only country that lies entirely at 1000m in elevation. Distance from Johannesburg to the Lesotho border is approx. 420km or 4.5 hours based on crossing the main border post at Maseru Bridge. The Moshoeshoe I International Airport is the main international airport servicing flights to Lesotho.
Sotho and English are the official languages in Lesotho. Lesotho Loti although the South African Rand is widely accepted. The LSL= 1 ZAR. With the Basotho people’s unique hospitality and an eternally sunny climate, it is in the topographical extremes of the Lesotho mountains that adventure travellers and nature lovers find Lesotho’s appeal.
Here are some of the activities to do when you are in this beautiful country :
World class trekking on the famed Basotho pony is popular with many tourists who visit Lesotho. Treks will take you across the pristine mountain ranges of both the high and lowlands where you will discover the Basotho people. Many still live traditionally in simple stone and thatch huts. You can take treks from two hours to a week.
Hiking
Lesotho is also a hiker’s paradise. Mountainous, rugged, and incredibly scenic, Lesotho is a place of awe inspiring beauty. While you can pretty much hike or camp anywhere, take advantage of the various national parks and nature reserves –Sehlabathebe National Park
Ts’ehlanyane National
ParkBokong Nature Reserve
or even Sani Pass.
You will find many wonderful hiking trails for both the avid and less experienced hiker.
Water Sports
Lesotho has an abundance of water other African countries can only dream of. Other than providing much-needed revenue for the country, it also provides the opportunity for plenty of water sports, both serene and extreme.Canoe the Mohale or Katse Dams, the highest dam in Africa. Kayak the Senqu River. Try white water rafting, small boat sailing or trout fishing in the mountain streams.
4×4 Tours, Mountain, Quad and Motor Biking
The Lesotho Highlands are formed by the Drakensberg and Maloti mountain ranges. This offers some of the best off-road conditions you will find anywhere in Southern Africa.No less than nine mountain passes with spectacular scenery draw avid off-roaders and mountain bikers to the mountain kingdom from all over the world. The annual Roof of Africa off-road bike race is a testament to the challenges available for the adventurous on two wheels or four.
Skiing in Lesotho
Skiing in Lesotho is just another reason to visit this landlocked country. June through August is the best time to make the most of Lesotho’s high altitudes and freezing winter temperatures. The ski slopes are only 3 hours from the capital of Lesotho, Maseru, high in the Maluti mountains in the Oxbow area. One of only two resorts in Africa, Mahlesela Hill is the longest in Africa at 2km long.
Abseiling
Lesotho is a country for setting many records. While its average elevation puts it in the record books, it also has the highest single drop waterfall in Southern Africa. Located in Semonkong, which literally translates to “place of smoke” named after the billow of spray visible from afar.
Abseil Maletsunyane Falls
Maletsunyane Falls also holds the Guinness World Record for the highest commercial abseil point in the world. The spectacular 204m drop attracts daredevils from around the world. This is adventure travel at it’s best.
Kome Cave
A fascinating village of cave dwellings carved underneath towering rocks. Past generations of Basotho fled to these caves to hide from cannibals who inhabited the area. Descendants of the original people who built the caves still live there, much as their forefathers did almost two centuries ago.
Katse Dam & Mohale Dam.
The Katse Dam, high in the Maluti Mountains was constructed as part of the Lesotho Highlands Water Project. It is the second-largest dam in Africa. The Mohale Dam, at 145m it is the second-largest in Lesotho and the highest concrete-faced rock-filled dam in Africa. An entire mountain was crushed to build this dam. The dams are the perfect place for a tour. Take a canoe or pony ride. Have a picnic or enjoy the majesty of this modern engineering feat. Regardless of how you enjoy these sites, the drive there will have you marveling at Lesotho’s beauty.
Take a trip to this beautiful country, explore, learn and have the best time of your life. Book your trip with us now. We offer affordable prices to all our esteemed customers.
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