Lesotho travel guide
Global Destinations:
Choose your African Destination:
Other Options:

LESOTHO, AFRICA - TRAVEL & ACCOMMODATION GUIDE

Peach trees in spring in Lesotho

Popular destinations in Lesotho:

Butha-Buthe - Kio Diamond Mine - Leribe - Malealea Village Store - Maseru - Mohales Hoek - Mokhotlong
Morija Museum - Roma - Teyateyaneng - Tikoe

Featured accommodation in Lesotho
Search this site

View map of Africa
View map of Lesotho

View map of Africa
View map of Africa
 


 

Copyright © All World Vacation Station

TRAVEL READING ON LESOTHO, AFRICA:

Lesotho, officially the Kingdom of Lesotho, is a land-locked country, entirely surrounded by the Republic of South Africa. Formerly Basutoland, it is a member of the Commonwealth of Nations. The name Lesotho roughly translates into "the land of the people who speak Sotho."
Children in Lesotho

Africa Lesotho - 'Kingdom in the Sky'   by Gerald Crawford 

Enclosed by South Africa on all sides, but separated from it by the huge Drakensberg and Maluti mountain ranges, the mountainous kingdom of Lesotho is small and rounded in shape, situated on a plateau of over 3,281ft (1,000m), with peaks reaching to heights of more than 10,000ft (3,000m). Sani Pass is a breathtaking entry point into Lesotho from South Africa's Drakensberg National Park and is the gateway to the 'Roof of Africa' scenic route, linking the magnificent scenery of the two mountain ranges.

Lesotho

Popularly described as the 'Kingdom in the Sky', the lofty highlands are characterised by majestic mountain scenery, crisp mountain air and the simple serenity of the traditional lifestyles of its people. Pony trekking is one of the finest ways to experience the Lesotho highlands, with time spent in remote Basotho villages scattered among the grassy hills, where waterfalls saturate the surrounding rocks with rainbow-coloured mist and crystal clear streams criss-cross the landscape. 

The region is also perfect for those who prefer to test the sure-footedness of their own two feet, with miles of solitary scenery to appreciate, an abundance of trout in the rivers and dams and the assurance of a warm and friendly welcome in the rugged mountain hamlets. The central highlands is home to the highest waterfall in southern Africa, the Maletsunyane Falls near Semonkong, meaning 'Place of Smoke', which thunders from a height of 624ft (192m) and is at its most spectacular during the summer rainy season.

Lesotho

From the heights of the Maluti Mountains, the land descends to the western lowlands where all the major towns are to be found and where two thirds of the population live. Maseru, the capital, is a fascinating city of contrasting modern and traditional lifestyles. Blanket-clad horsemen sidestep the traffic jams on their way to market, and woven handicrafts are displayed on the busy pavements outside new glass buildings filled with self-important office workers.

Time spent in Lesotho will allow visitors to observe an African country filled with an extraordinary appeal, a kingdom of rugged beauty and unchanging culture that remains natural and largely unaffected by tourism.

Weather conditions in Lesotho vary greatly depending on the altitude. Summer is the hot, rainy season from October to April, with the hottest days in January and February, and the most rain falling between March and May and October and November. Days are sunny with afternoon electric thunderstorms, and temperatures range from around 86ºF (30°C) in the lowlands with cooler temperatures as the altitude increases, averaging about 64°F (18°C) in the mountains. 

Lesotho

Snow falls mainly in winter from May to September, but can occur in the mountains at any time of year. Winter can be bitterly cold, particularly in the highlands, but days are usually clear and sunny. Temperatures can fall to 20°F (-7°C) in the lowlands and 0°F (-18°C) in the highlands. At any time of year the weather can change very rapidly in the highlands from warm sunshine to mist, rain and freezing temperatures.

Come for a visit.

Top

About the Author - Gerald Crawford: born in South Africa, studied electronics, telecommunication, eco-travel and african travel concepts. He taught responsible tourism in South Africa and the United Kingdom. 

ACCOMMODATION IN BUTHA-BUTHE, LESOTHO

Maliba Mountain Lodge, Butha-Buthe, Lesotho
Located in the Royal Mountain Kingdom of Lesotho within the Tsehlanyane National Park, Maliba Mountain Lodge is a 5-star mountain retreat set in a pristine sub-alpine wilderness valley deep in the heart of Lesotho’s breathtaking mountains. Maliba Mountain Lodge is the first 5-star lodge in Lesotho and it has set the benchmark for future Lesotho Tourism ventures. Over 5600 hectares of extremely rugged wilderness mountain terrain is protected within this park, which includes one of the very few remaining indigenous woodlands in Lesotho. Guests are accommodated in one of six private and luxurious Basotho-style chalets.

HOTELS/LODGES - MALOTE ROUTE, LESOTHO

Maliba River Lodges, Malote Route, Lesotho
Maliba River Lodge (SELF CATERING). Located in the Royal Mountain Kingdom of Lesotho within the Tsehlanyane National Park, Maliba River Lodges are self catering retreats set in a pristine wilderness valley deep in the North of Lesotho's breathtaking Maluti/Drakensberg Mountains. Maliba River Lodges are situated at the junction of two rivers and offers modern, serviced accommodation which is perfect for families, groups of friends or even couples that want an affordable getaway where they can relax. 

HOTELS/LODGES - MOKHOTLONG, LESOTHO

St James Lodge, Mokhotlong, Lesotho
Nestled quietly on a hillside, deep within the barren Maloti mountain range and overlooking the working Roman Catholic Mission of St James, lies the igneous rock buildings of St James Lodge.  These modernized century old buildings are conveniently situated on the Thaba Tseka road only 1hr away from the infamous Sani Pass, and just under 2hrs away from the new snow skiing resort of Afriski.  Fill your lungs wtih the fresh mountain air, see the stars like you've never seen them before, experience the rich Basotho culture and history of the area, and most importantly, relax and enjoy the views.

Top

Angola - Botswana - Burkina Faso - Cameroon - Congo - Eritrea - Ethiopia - Gabon - Gambia
Ghana - Ivory Coast - Kenya - Lesotho - Madagascar - Malawi - Mauritius - Mozambique
Namibia - Nigeria - Senegal - Seychelles - South Africa - Swaziland - Tanzania -
Tunisia - Uganda - Zambia - Zanzibar - Zimbabwe