 |
| Welcome to Lesotho |
|
|
|
Country Profile
|
|
The Kingdom of Lesotho is made up mostly of highlands where many of the villages can be reached only on horseback, by foot or light plane.
During the winter shepherds wearing only boots and wrap-around blankets have to contend with snow.
While much of the tiny country, with spectacular canyons and thatched huts, remains untouched by modern machines, developers have laid down roads to reach its mineral and water resources.
Major construction work has been under way in recent years to create the Lesotho Highlands Water Project to supply South Africa with fresh water.
|
| Climate |
Healthy and invigorating, with more than 300 days a year of brilliant sunshine, Lesotho has well marked seasons. Summer extends from November to January and is usually hot. Autumn days are warm and ideal for outdoor pursuits such as hiking and camping. Winter from May to July, heralds snow on the Maluti mountains. It can be bitterly cold at this time on the upper peaks but the days are generally sunny. It should be noted, however, that snowfalls can occur on the highlands at any time of the year. Spring usually arrives early and August is peach-blossom time in almost every village, turning the country into drifts of pink.
Eighty-five percent of Lesotho's rainfall - between 700mm and 800mm in most parts of the country - usually occurs between October and April, and brings the rivers down in full spates, providing ideal fishing conditions.
|
| What to wear |
| During the summer months, light clothing is the most comfortable form of attire-but do bring a raincoat. Spring and autumn clothing should include a jersey for the cool evenings. In winter, or if journeying into the Maluti mountains at any time of the year, heavy warm clothing such as think jerseys, socks ,windcheaters and jackets are essential. |
| Customs Entry Regulations |
|
All goods brought into Lesotho are subject to Customs control and baggage may be subject to examination. Customs declarations are required upon arrival. False or incomplete declaration is an offence involving penalties, including forfeiture of any article.
Visitors from the Southern African customs union Botswana, Namibia, South Africa and Swaziland are not permitted to bring liquor into Lesotho.
|
| Visa Requirements |
|
Visitors must have a valid passport. Visas are required except by citizens of countries which have visa abolition agreements with Lesotho and citizens of some Commonwealth countries. Please contact your nearest Lesotho Embassy.
|
| Currency and Banks |
|
Lesotho's standard unit of currency is the
Loti, equivalent to the South African Rand and divided into
100 lisente.
Traveller's cheques and major credit cards
are accepted in Lesotho.
There are no restrictions on foreign currency
but all transactions must be done in Maseru.
BanksLesotho's three commercial banks - Standard Bank, Ned Bank and Lesotho Bank 1999 Ltd - offer exchange services in their main Maseru branches.
Opening Hours:
Monday to Friday, Except Wednesday 08:30 - 15:30
Wednesday 08:30 - 13:00
Saturday 08:30 - 11:00
|
| Language |
|
Lesotho has two official languages, Sesotho and English which are taught in all schools. English becomes the medium of instruction from the fifth year of primary school onwards. A large proportion of Basotho are thus able to speak English. (The inhabitants of Lesotho are the Basotho, the singular of which is
Masotho) |
| Suggested tours for Lesotho |
| Itineraries to complement a Southern African Tour. |
| Tour 1 - A 2 Day Horse Trek, (Rough & Tough) |
1 night in a Basotho Village & 2 nights at Malealea Lodge
Day 1 Arrive & overnight at Malealea with the option of a Basotho Children's Choir & local band, using homemade instruments , to entertain you around a campfire.
Overnight Malealea Lodge
Day 2 A 6-7 hour horse trek to a Basotho village , where you will overnight in a very basic Basotho hut and experience Basotho village life trekking through remote villages.
Day 3 Same as day 2
Day 4 Depart from Malealea after breakfast.
OR the rest of the group can stay at the Lodge and go on Tour 2 |
| Tour 2 - Day Pony Treks & Hikes or Drives |
3 nights at Malealea Lodge (Comfortable)
Day 1 Arrive & overnight at Malealea with the option of Basotho Children's choir & local band to entertain you around a campfire.
Day 2 A day pony trek, hike or drive to the Batsolea waterfall & Bushman paintings passing by Basotho villages, Shepherds with their cattle , shhep and goats out in the fields.
Day 3 A hike to the Pitseng Canyon and a swim in the cascade of 3 rockpools. Basotho children to take you to their village , showing you their homes and daily lives of a Basotho village.
Day 4 Depart from Malealea.
New Adventures: Add an extra night to include gentle river rafting, abseiling & 4x4 excursions. |
| Outings at Malealea |
School Visit : Walks start at 8.45.
Visitors are taken to the school, where you watch a lesson.
Museum : In a Traditional Hut and Lesotho Herbs & Plants are being planted. David Mokala has the knowledge of plants and past traditions and offer you a cup of herbal tea.
Village Walks: Local Basotho children are your guides and take you to their homes.
Soil Erosion - Reclaimed washout:
About 16 years ago, this area was a 3 metre deep donga and has been reclaimed single handedly by Mr Fanuel Musi. In the beginning he used only a leather apron to cart rocks for his dams. He now has vegetable gardens, reeds, birds and lush vegetation, which was once a soil - eroded dried out donga. Springs have started flowing out in that area, where there never were springs before. This dedication and hard work is a most remarkable achievement for Fanuel Musi. He died of Parkinson's disease, but his wife and grandson are continuing the work. |
MALEALEA LODGE
Lesotho is a world without fences. Breathtaking scenery abounds and every season has unique attractions. The lodge consists of an assortment of buildings from old farmhouse buildings to 9 new ensuite bedrooms and
rondavels.
Horse treks & hiking trails overnight in Basotho Villages experiencing 'The Real Africa'.The treks are usually about 7 hours each day. No riding experience is necessary. The huts and horses are hired from the Basotho people in remote areas. The huts are very basic and are equipped with a gas cooker, cooking and eating utensils,mattresses on the floor and a bucket of water. On trek you experience 'THE REAL AFRICA', staying in Basotho villages.The trails traverse spectacular mountain passes and some of Lesotho's highest waterfalls. Basotho guides and a packhorse accompany the treks.
SPECIAL: A GO ANYWHERE TREK
Bring your own cooking equipment & mattresses and explore Lesotho with a Basotho guide, discovering new routes and remote villages for any number of days.
WHAT TO BRING
Food, sleeping bag, rainsuit & warm clothing, towels, sunscreen, hat, torch, candles, water bottle, water tablets and First Aid kit. |
| Rates for Tailor-Made Tours |
ACCOMMODATION 2001 2002
12 x Terrace Rooms, Shower en-suite £ 25.00 £ 28.00 15 x Farmhouse rooms, en-suite £ 20.00 £ 22.00 7 x Basotho Huts & Rooms,7 showers £ 17.00 £ 18.00 5 x Budget Cubicle Rooms, 2 showers £ 15.00 £ 16.002 beds per room & cubicle ( Use own linen foe Cubicles only )Camping £13.00 £ 13.00
CATERING 2001 2002
Breakfast - £ 5.00 £ 5.50 Lunch - £ 6.00 £ 6.50 Dinner - £ 7.00 £ 7.50
DAY HORSE TREKS pp per day 2001 later in 2001
3 + people £15.00 £ 17.00 less than 2 people £16.00 £ 18.50
OVERNIGHT HORSE TREKS 2001 later in 2001
Horse Treks pp per day 3 + pax £ 24.00 £ 26.00 Less than 2 pax £ 25.00 £ 29.00 Plus village accommodation per night £ 8.00 £ 8.00
TRANSFERS 2002
2-3 people ex-Maseru & return £ 60.00 per person
4 + people ex-Maseru & return £ 40.00 per person
2-3 people ex-Bloemfontein return £ 90.00 per person
4 + people ex-Bloemfontein return £ 70.00 per person
• KITCHENS ARE FULLY EQUIPPED
• LINEN IS PROVIDED, BUT BRING TOWELS
when booking Cubicle & Basotho Hut Accommodation
• THERE IS A SHOP & BAR ON SITE FOR BASIC SUPPLIES
MALEALEA HORSE TREKKING & HIKING HOLIDAY
A BASOTHO ADVENTURE |
| Tour 3 |
Ø 4 nights at MALEALEA LODGE, 3 nights in BASOTHO VILLAGES
Ø Suggested Pony Trek & Tour of Lesotho, can be tailor made for any number of days.
Ø Basotho Guides & Packhorses accompany the treks
Ø Clients heat up food, for fully catered option, while on trek.
Ø Professional Guides on request to cater while on trek.
Day 1 Your destination is the Malealea Lodge at around 6 500ft in the aptly
Named village of Paradise. A local Children's Basotho Choir & a local
Band using home made instruments can be arranged for your
Entertainment on request. ( clients to tip children) Lodge
Accom.
Day 2 A hike to a nearby godge that boasts Bushman Paintings done by the
San nearly 500 years ago, and to the nearby Botsoela waterfall.
Accommodation - Malealea Lodge
Day 3 A 6-7 hour horse trek to the small village of Ribaneng. An hours climb
Up to the beautiful waterfall behind the village.
Accommodation Village Huts
Day 4 A 6-7 hour horse trek over remote mountain passes to Ha Hlalele. A
Short hike to view the Ketane Water & gorge . 122 m drop.
Accommodation Village Huts
Day 5 A 6-7 hour trek to stay in a small Basotho village, Ha Sekoting, which is
Surrounded by a ring of mountains.
Accommodation Village Huts
Day 6 You descend into the valley of Paradise, where you are welcomed with
Hot showers and the comforts of Malealea Lodge
Day 7 A hike through The Pitseng Canyon where a cascade of three rock
Pools has been carved out over the centuries. Malealea Lodge
Day 8 Depart from Malealea
Suggested Food List for Hourse treks
BREAKFAST: Muesli, Rusks, Longlife Milk, Apples
LUNCH: Provita, Seed Loaf, Processed Cheese, Carrots, Cucumber, Lettuce, Tuna Mayonnaise, Tinned Ham, Beef, Mussels, Chocolate, Oranges.
DINNER: Cup a Soup, Chinese Noodles, Smash, Pasta Sauces, Rice O Mix, Indian Tomato Curry Cans, Toppers, Tinned Vegetables, Tinned Fruit, Ultramel Custard, Caramel & Biscuits.
What to bring for horse Treks
Food, Sleeping Bag, Rainsuit & Warm Clothing
Towels, Sunscreen, Hat, Torch, Candles
Water Bottle, Water Tablets & First Aid Kit. |
| Tour rates |
Prices quoted below include 1 pack horse for 4 people.
12.5kg luggage per person including food. Maximum weight of Rider = 90kg
Extra Packhorses and Guides can be hired for larger groups
Basotho Guides accompany treks. Professional Guides on request.
Tour 1: Rate per person per tour. Minimum 3 people: ( 2 pax =10% extra)2001 Budget Cubicle Basotho huts Farmhouse Terrace
Self-Cater £56.00 £60.00 £66.00 £76.00Fully-Cater £86.00 £92.00 £98.00 £108.00
Tour 2: Self-Cater £37.00 £43.00 £52.00 £67.00Fully-Cater £69.00 £75.00 £84.00 £99.00
Tour 3:Self-Cater £105.00 £113.00 £125.00 £145.00Fully-Cater £185.00 £193.00 £205.00 £225.00
OLD CLOTHES CAN BE GIVEN AS TIPS TO
GUIDES- OPTIONAL |
| Suggested Lesotho tours |
Katse Dam
This is the biggest man-made dam in Southern Africa. You drive through the mountains of Lesotho, up to the Mafika-Lisiu pass, which is at 3090m above sea level. A trip to Katse is a combination of scenic, undisturbed enviroment and the latest engineering of the 20th century.
Semonkong
This tour takes you right into the heart Lesotho, you will enjoy the splendid scenery up to Lebihan Falls one of the highest falls in the South.
Molimo-nthuse
('God help me pass')
This is a scenic route through the Lesotho mountains up to the good breeze of unpolluted air and enjoy a ride on our well trained Basotho ponies, see nature at its best |
 |
Thaba-bosiu
This is the place where you will have the opportunity to go on top of the mountain and see where our great kings , king Moshoeshoe I and Moshoeshoe II were layed to rest.Mmelesi Lodge on the foot of the mountain.
Morija-Matsieng
Museum and archives are found in Morija where the first church in Lesotho was build in 1833.Then the Royal Village Matsieng nearby where you may have the opportunity to see the Queen Mother.
Muela
The first hydro power generating station in Lesotho, and also the outlet of Katse resevoir for delivery of water to R.S.A.
Malealea-lodge
This tour takes you right into the heart of Southern part of Lesotho. You will enjoy the splendid scenery by pony trekking.
City tour
Visit historical places, Moshoeshoe's statue, the parliament bulding, the prime Minister's residence and the King's place.
Maseru-ty-kome
Visit handicraft centre in Teyateyaneng. Kome is an inhabited cave village dating back to mid-19th century.
|
|
