More About My Lesotho

Lesotho “The Kingdom in the Sky” is an independent country in Southern Africa, landlocked in South Africa.
Situated between 28 and 31 degrees south, and between 27 and 30 degrees East, Lesotho lies entirely outside the tropics, at a considerable height above sea level, and is thus a bilharzias and malaria free destination.

The area of Lesotho is approximately 30, 300 km2, making it similar in size to Belgium, or a little larger than the State of Maryland in the USA.

A land of mountains, Lesotho is the only country in the world with all its land lying at altitudes in excess of 1500m; it is a land heights and extremes. The mountain Thabana-Ntlenyana is, at 3482m, the highest in Southern Africa, while the highest Single drop falls in Southern Africa Maletsunyane is 192m; having the highest abseiling cliff in the whole world at 204m.

Lesotho experience is unique, soaring mountains beckon, skies overwhelm, waters run wild and deep, under thick snow or scorching sun, Lesotho is a beautiful and challenging environment. Experience a country which must have given birth to the very spirit of adventure and excitement. Heights, depths, sizes, distances, temperatures – they are all extreme in Lesotho, where man and beast have successfully and harmoniously coexisted since prehistoric times and have had to meet the extraordinary challenges of the natural world here, to ensure survival in this unique country.

Lesotho can boast some of the most pristine dinosaur relics in the world and is a Mecca for archaeologist and paleontologists alike. The country even has a dinosaur named after it, the 1 meter long herbivorous lizard, “Lesothosaurus”, a very primitive ornithopod from the late Triassic and early Jurassic period.

The nature loving visitor or eco-tourist is not only welcomed in Lesotho, but spoilt for choice in this country of 30300 km2 of unfenced and unspoilt beauty. The remote and lovely environment offers the ultimate action holiday with a staggering array of pursuits challenges abound in this land, including: exhilarating whitewater courses, canoeing, spectacular ski runs, horse riding, pony trekking, mountain climbing, hiking and off - road racing. Whether exploring the mysteries of the past, wonders of the present or your own frontiers of adventure, Lesotho welcomes you.
Lesotho has ten (10) districts named Maseru “Capital Town”, Berea, Leribe, Butha – Buthe, Mokhotlong, Thaba – Tseka, Qacha’s Neck, Quthing, Mohale’s Hoek and Mafeteng.


Places of interest

Central and Northern Districts

Maseru

1. Morija
Morija is a tiny town with a big history, and the site of the first European mission in Lesotho. This is the venue for the annual Morija Arts & Cultural Festival, which celebrates the diversity of Lesotho culture expressed in the art and traditions of its people and their colorful neighbors. The festival is held in October and also includes equestrian events, traditional and modern dancing, and music for every ear as well as theatre. Morija has lots of interest and activities such as museum & archives, Pony trekking, Walking trails, Dinosaur footprints, Maeder house crafts, guest houses and Matsieng Royal village. Accommodation is available.

Semonkong “Place of smoke”
The Maletsunyane River falls is one of Africa’s highest single waterfalls and the highest in Southern Africa. Dropping at 192m into a deep gorge and creating a halo of fine mist on its journey downwards, the place of smoke deserves its name. One of the longest and safest commercial abseiling operations in the country allows thrill seekers to experience the in-your-face adrenalin associated with height, fright and unbelievable sights. Sit astride a small, tough and sure-footed Basotho Pony while you ascend steep, rugged paths to mountain villages on the roof of Africa, where you can overnight and later explore countryside inaccessible by the most rugged 4x4. Ketane falls at 122m are an exciting day’s ride 30km from Semonkong by a spectacular gorge. Accommodation available
Ramabanta
Chief Api expression, Ha Ramabanta, directly translated means, Father of Belts. This came from their love of Sam Brown leather belts worn by British military personnel. The locals’ passion was to collect and wear as many leather belts as possible, all at the same time. Accommodation Available
Roma
In 1862, King Moshoeshoe donated this area to Roman Catholic missionaries for them to build a mission. Roma is now also home to the National University of Lesotho, the only university in the country, a number of excellent schools as well as St. Joseph’s Hospital. The many old sandstone buildings are peculiar to the area. the unmistakable footprints of giant Prehistoric creatures from the Jurassic Age. The southern entry/ exit to Roma takes you through a striking gorge landscape, and is best traveled during the morning or late afternoon when the lower sun lights the cliffs to full advantage.
Mohale Dam
Built across the Senqunyane River, the impressive 145m – high rock-fill Mohale Dam was completed in 2004 as the second phase of the Lesotho Highlands Water Project. There are commanding views of the lake and massive mountains beyond. You can drive as far as the Mohale Tunnel through which water can flow for 32km between Mohale and Katse Dams. Accommodation available

Thaba – Bosiu “Mountain at night”
About 25km east of Maseru is the famed and flat-topped Thaba-Bosiu (Mountain at Night), where King Moshoeshoe the great established his mountain stronghold in 1824. It is a birth place of Basotho nation and is the best historical site.
Qiloane hill
The fascinating to see are the remains of fortification, Moshoeshoe’s grave and parts of his original settlement.
Ha-Baroana
Ha-Baroana is one of Lesotho’s more important and publicized rock-art sites, it’s worth a visit.

Berea
Teyateyaneng (Place of quick sands common name “TY”) is the craft centre of Lesotho, and is worth a stop to buy tapestries or watch them being made and then visit some interesting historical sites at Malimomg and Phuthiatsana river (few km from town)
Mapoteng
Mapoteng is one of the interesting places in Berea district with Seventh Day Adventist church established in 1951 and under Ground River, Phororong village with its beautiful fall.

Leribe
Leribe is a legendary district, of its fascinating history and scenery. Leribe is a busy market hub, it served as an administrative centre under the British, as witnessed by a few old buildings slowly decaying in the crumbling Major Bell’s Tower. It was built in 1879, and spent most of its career as a storehouse for government records. Leribe craft centre is found in Leribe and manufactures most beautiful Basotho made products.
Tsikoane
Dinosaur footprints, San paintings and the Basotho Jurassic Age history abound.
About 7km north of Leribe are the Subeng river dinosaur footprints.

Tsehlanyane National Park

The park compromises 5600ha of extremely rugged mountain terrain and is located deep in the front range of Maluti Mountains. It is the largest reserve and it encompasses the upper catchment of Tshehlanyane River and protects important leaucosidea forest. The wilderness underrated and underused place is about as far away from it all as you can get and is perfect for hiking. There are streams conducive for swimming and wild animals to view. Within Ts’ehlanyane cheaper, well maintained accommodation is available as well as the presence of the recently built Madiba Lodge which is a five star establishment attractive to all lovers of beauty.

Bokong Nature Reserves

1970ha in extend and straddles the Northern access road at the top of Mafika Lisiu pass between Pitseng and Ha Lejone on the way to Katse Dam. The centre provides a viewpoint of snow capped or lush green gorge, at one of the highest points in Lesotho. It also provides a panoramic view over the Lepaqoa valley, raptors cruise the high thermals and the Lepaqoa River plunges into the sheer gorge. In winter the scene is freeze-framed and the waterfall becomes a spectacular ice sculpture set in a landscape dusted in snow. Overnight accommodation for hikers’ enroute to Tsehlanyane National Park at 39km hike, and short walks as well as Bird watching and there is a variety of species of interest to the avid birder, also short walks to explore the environment first hand by walking along the valley and into the mountains.

Katse

Tiny Katse’s main claim to fame is as the former purpose –built base for the Lesotho Highlands Water Project and the site of Africa’s highest dam at 185m. Katse Dam’s lake is serene, ringed by steep, green hill-sides; even if you’re not impressed by engineering feasts, the area makes for a relaxing pause. Fishing is allowed from sides and the permit is compulsory for fishing and accommodation available.

Butha – Buthe

Butha – Buthe ‘Place of Lying Down’ was named by King Moshoeshoe the great because it was here that his people first retreated during the chaos of the Lifaqane. Its frontier-town scrappiness is redeemed by an attractive setting alongside the Hlotse River, with the beautiful Maluti Mountain as a backdrop.

Liphofung Cave Cultural Historical Site

It is the smallest reserve named after the eland and features a cave over – hang, which was used by San people, who left rock art and a rich archeological deposit of stone-age implements on the cave floor. In addition, there are numerous displays in the huts of Basotho traditional life. There is curio shop and display of old Basotho weapons and the way they used to live.


Oxbow

Reached after crossing the dramatic Moteng pass at 2820m, Oxbow consists of a few huts and a couple of lodges nestled amid some wonderful mountain scenery, and is an ideal place to get away from the bustle while still enjoying amenities. The area regularly receives snow in winter, and boasts a 1.5km ski slope. It’s also popular with South African trout anglers and bird watchers. Skiing is available through Afri-Ski in Mahlasela at 10km from Oxbow.

Mokhotlong

From Oxbow, a good tarmac road winds its way over a series of 3200m – plus passes and through some superb high altitude scenery before dropping down to Mokhotlong ‘Place of the Bald Ibis’.
Mokhotlong is the main town in eastern Lesotho, but it is still very much an outpost and has something of a Wild West feel to it. There is not much to do other than watch life go by to Sani Top.
Sani Top sits atop the steep Sani Pass, the only dependable road into Lesotho through the Drakensberg range in KwaZulu-Natal. It offers stupendous views on clear days and unlimited hiking possibilities. On the edge of the escarpment at a lofty 2874m, this popular place resembles an old fashioned ski chalet and boasts the highest pub in Africa, with simple, cosy rooms and excellent meals.




Thabana – Ntlenyana

A 3482m, Africa’s highest peak south of Mt Kilimanjaro, is a popular, but long and arduous hike. The mountain’s height was only calculated in 1955 and not confirmed by satellite technology until 30 years later. There’s a path, but a do guide would be handy, and it’s also possible to do the ascent on horseback.

Thaba- Tseka

Thaba – Tseka is a remote town on the western edge of the central range, over the sometimes –tricky Mokhoabong Pass. It was established in 1980 as a centre for the mountain district, and is a scrappy place serving mostly as a convenient transport junction for travel north to Katse or west to Maseru.






Southern Districts of Lesotho

Mafeteng

(Place of Lefeta’s person) is named after an early magistrate, Emile Rolland, who was known to the local Basotho as Lefeta (One who passes by).
From Mafeteng to a border junction of 22km to Wepener in the Free State, South Africa, the town centre has a small statue commemorating soldiers of the Cape Mounted Rifles who fell in the Gun War of 1880.


Malealea
Shortly before reaching Malealea is the Gates of Paradise Pass, a plaque announces ‘wayfarer – pause and look upon a gateway of Paradise’. This says it all. The breathtaking mountainous surrounds and this tiny village is many travelers’ introduction to Lesotho life, and is the ideal place to learn about local customs, gather information and start exploring the country. The area has been occupied for centuries, as shown by the many San rock paintings in the vicinity. Today , the heart of the village is Malealea Lodge , which offers a smorgasbord of cultural, Pony treks, hiking and outdoor activities, fittingly promoted as ‘Lesotho in a nutshell’. Accommodation is in the Basotho village huts.

Mohale’s Hoek

Mohale’s Hoek takes its name from the younger brother of King Moshoeshoe the great, Mohale, who in 1884 gave this land to the British for administrative purposes. The town’s brush with royalty continued more recently when Britain’s Prince Harry spent time helping in an orphanage in a nearby village.

Quthing

Quthing the southernmost major town in Lesotho is also known as Moyeni “Place of the Wind”. It was established in 1877, abandoned during the Gun war of 1880 and rebuild at the present site. The activity centre around lower Quthing spread out along the main road and Up on the hill, overlooking the Senqu (Orange) river gorge, is Upper Quthing, the former colonial administrative centre.

Five kilometers west of Quthing is the intriguing Masitise Cave House Museum, part of an old mission that was built directly into a San rock shelter in 1866 by Reverend David-Frederic Ellenberger, a Swiss who was among the first missionaries to Lesotho. With the help of Morija Museum, the cave house was converted into a small museum, with interesting displays on local culture and history. There is a cast of dinosaur footprints in the ceiling and San paintings nearby. Accommodation is available on a B&B basis in the house of the caretaker a pastor in the church.

Quthing’s other claim to fame is a proliferation of dinosaur footprints in the surrounding area. The most easily accessible are just off the main road to Mt. Moorosi; watch for the small, pink building to your left, these are believed to be 180 years old. About 10km southeast is Qomoqomong is a collection of San paintings. The road from Quthing to Qacha’s Nek is one of the Lesotho’s most stunning drives, taking you along the winding Senqu river gorge and through some striking canyon scenery before climbing up onto the escarpment. If you are equipped, the whole area is ideal for hiking. En route is the village of Mt Moorosi named after a Basotho chieftain who, in 1879, stuck it out for eight months against the British on his fortified mountain until he was killed; pretty Mphaki village, a possible base for hiking; Christ the King Mission, with wide views of Senqu river valley. From the mission, it’s a good two – to – three day hike north to Semonkong. Accommodation is available and activities such as hiking, trout fishing, Bush paintings etc.

Qacha’s Nek

Originally a mission station, Qacha’s Nek was founded in 1888. Its more claim to fame was as host of King Letsie the 111’s 42nd birthday in 2005. This pleasant place has an attractive church and variety of colonial era sandstone buildings. Nearby are stands of California redwood trees, some over 25m high.

Sehlabathebe Nation Park

Lesotho’s first national park, proclaimed in 1970, is remote, rugged and beautiful, and getting there is always a worthwhile adventure, especially if you’re into wilderness, seclusion and fishing. The rolling grassland, wildflowers and silence provide a sense of complete isolation, which is the case, apart from the prolific birdlife (Including the bearded vulture) and add rhebok. Hiking (and horse riding from Sani Top or the Drakensberg) is the main way to explore the water falls and surrounds, and angling is possible in the parks dams and rivers. “You’ll need to bring all your food and be well prepared for the elements”. This is a summer rain fall area, and thick mist, potentially hazardous to hikers, is common. Winters are clear but cold at night, with occasional light snow falls. Camping is permitted throughout the park, though there are no facilities besides plenty of water. Accommodation is available.

NB. (Some of the above information has been derived from sources still to be verified and published)