Lesotho, known as the Mountain Kingdom or Kingdom in the Sky, holds a wealth of different experiences in store for those who visit there. Mountains, valleys and rivers present unforgettable panoramas for tourists. In the mountains is the source of Lesotho’s crystal-clear water, which also waters the green pastures for livestock.
Diamonds are amongst the minerals found in the mountains. Lesotho can truly be called the Kingdom in the Sky. Lesotho is officially the Kingdom of Lesotho (‘Muso oa Lesotho), an enclaved, landlocked country in southern Africa completely surrounded by South Africa. Its capital and largest city is Maseru. Previously known as Basutoland, Lesotho declared independence from the United Kingdom on 4 October 1966. It is a member of the United Nations, the Commonwealth of Nations and the Southern African Development Community (SADC). The name Lesotho translates roughly into the land of the people who speak Sesotho.
The Katse Dam, built high in the Maluti Mountains and named after a revered man who once lived at the site, is at the heart of the Lesotho Highlands Water Project. This is the land of the “blanket people”, who ride their sturdy ponies, build picturesque houses and greet visitors with a dignified salute. On the way to Katse the road passes the intake tower near Ha Lejone from where the crystal-clear water starts its long journey, at 18 cubic metres per second, encased in the 82-kilometre tunnel through basalt, sandstone and under six rivers, and through turbines at Muela. The double curvature, arch dam is 185 metres high, (the highest in Africa and 50% higher than Kariba), with a crest length of 710 metres. The aggregate and fines used were crushed on site from the basalt rock.
KATSE VILLAGE WALK TOURS
Join Mamajeremane, Lkaneng and Teboho for a walk through the local Khokhoba (Katse) Village and experience a taste of Basotho village life. KATSE PONY RIDES Elias will provide his pony and organize more as needed for an hour’s pony ride in the local area. Join Mamajeremane, Lkaneng and Teboho for a walk through the local Khokhoba (Katse) Village and experience a taste of Basotho village life. The walk lasts for approximately 1hour.
At Ha Kome there is a remarkable village where cave dwellings have been carved out under towering rocks. The families still living there today are descendents of the original people who “built” the caves in the 19th century and the site is now a National Heritage Site. The people living there now still live much as their forefathers did almost two centuries ago and those who have occupied the caves over the years have left a rich cultural history. Gruesomely, this area was once home to cannibals and past generations of Basotho fled to the caves to hide from them. Parking at the top of the hill allows you to walk for about 20 minutes to reach the Ha Kome Visitors Centre where you will be given a guided tour of the caves and told something of the history and culture of the people. Ha Kome is situated near Teya-Teyaneng.
DINOSAUR TRAILS – with its wealth of fossilised bones, trees, plants and shells, Lesotho is known for having the largest concentration of dinosaur footprints in the world. It also has the distinction of having the world’s earliest known mammalian skeletal material which links the reptiles and the mammals. Many of the earliest known dinosaur fossil discoveries in Lesotho were made by missionaries exploring the area. Some of the dinosaurs that were found in Lesotho are Lesothosaurus, Massospondylus and Heterodontosaurus. There are many dinosaur footprint locations, withsites at Morija, Subeng Stream and Tsikoane close to Leribe, Moyeni, Matsieng and Mohale’s Hoek.
The dams are well-suited to both leisure cruises and extreme sports events. The Lesotho Tourism Development Corporation operates a small cruiser around the Mohale Dam through Thaba-Chitja Island to the dam wall. The Mohale Dam is the second-largest dam in the Lesotho Highlands Development Project. Built as a backup reserve to the Katse Dam project, the two dams are connected by a tunnel that ensures there’s enough water to meet South Africa’s ever-increasing demand. At 145 m, Mohale is the highest concrete-faced rock-filled dam in Africa. An entire mountain was crushed and moved to build the rock wall. Driving in from Maseru, once again marvel at the beauty of the three mountain passes before arriving at the dam. The drive from Mohale to Katse via Thaba-Tseka is one of the finest Lesotho has to offer. Admire the reflections of the clouds as one drives around the lake on 4×4 roads. Enjoy the visitors centre’ and Mohale Village where there is a dam wall tour several times a day. Cruise to Mohale Tunnel 90 mins M800.
MALETSUNYANE FALLS / SEMONKONG
The Maletsunyane Falls near Semonkong named after the French missionary who reported their existence in 1881, is the highest single-drop waterfall in Africa, with a flow of water falling 192m. At 204m, the site holds a Guinness World Record for the highest commercially-run abseil in the world. The all-weather road between Ramabanta and Semonkong, which is suitable for ordinary two-wheel drive cars, is breathtaking as you climb into the Thaba Putsoa Mountains. From Semonkong there is a road to the falls. Abseiling and pony trekking is run from Semonkong Lodge.
The name means “mountain at night”. According to legend, what was a hill in the daytime became a mountain at night. Thaba-Bosiu is an important historical site — the survival of the Basotho as a nation in the 19th century depended on Moshoesoe’s ability to defend his capital, and Thaba-Bosiu was never taken. Energetic tourists will enjoy climbing the trail to the summit of the hill. Nearby, three stones mark the entrance to Moshoeshoe’s compound. Moshoeshoe’s grave, a cairn of stones, can be seen at the chief’s burial place on the hilltop, as can his restored, square two-roomed house nearby. On a protruding rock beyond, the footprint of Maleka, one of Moshoeshoe’s sons, can be seen. The boy was forbidden to marry a girl of lower rank and, lamenting the loss of his beloved, carved the print as his epitaph before leaping to his death below. From Thaba-Bosiu the extraordinary rock pinnacle Qiloane which is known as the “Basotho Hat” is also clearly visible.
AFRI SKI LESOTHO
Lesotho is home to the highest ski resort in Africa — Afri Ski — which is situated a comfortable distance from the Caledonspoort Border Post in the Eastern Free State. The Afri Ski Resort opened in 2002 and offers several accommodation packages, ranging from the simplicity of a backpackers’ lodge to up-market log cabins. The resort offers winter-sports for both young and old, with a special children’s board and ski area, as well as ski lessons for beginners on gentle nursery slopes in addition to the more challenging slopes for experienced skiers. The Gondola, an upscale food and beverage entertainment area down on the slopes, opened last year. Après ski there is also loads of nightlife for night-owls.
Have you ever visited this Kingdom called Lesotho? If yes, please share your experience. If not, let’s go!! 🙂