Be in Sheer Awe with Lesotho

(1)

Beautiful, culturally rich, safe, affordable and easily accessible from Durban and Johannesburg, mountainous Lesotho is a vastly underrated travel destination. The contrast with South Africa could not be more striking, with the Basotho people’s distinct personality and the altitudinous terrain’s topographical extremes.

Even a few days in Lesotho’s hospitable mountain lodges and trading posts will give you a fresh perspective on Southern Africa. This is essentially an alpine country, where villagers on horseback in multi-colored balaclavas and blankets greet you round precipitous bends. The 1000m-high ‘lowlands’ offer craft shopping and sights, but don’t miss a trip to the southern, central or northeastern highlands, where streams traverse an ancient dinosaur playground. This is genuine adventure travel.

Location

Lesotho covers 30,355 square kilometers (11,720 square miles). It is the only independent state in the world that lies entirely above 1,000 meters (3,281 feet) in elevation. Its lowest point of 1,400 meters (4,593 feet) is thus the highest in the world. Over 80% of the country lies above 1,800 meters (5,906 feet).

Lesotho is also the southernmost landlocked country in the world and is entirely surrounded by South Africa. It lies between latitudes 28° and 31°S, and longitudes 27° and 30°E. Lesotho has a population of approximately 2,067,000. The population distribution of Lesotho is 25% urban and 75% rural. However, it is estimated that annual increase of urban population is 3.5%.

Climate

Because of its altitude, Lesotho remains cooler throughout the year than other regions at the same latitude. Most of the rain falls as summer thunderstorms. Maseru and surrounding lowlands often reach 30 °C (86 °F) in summer.

Winters can be cold with the lowlands getting down to −7 °C (19 °F) and the highlands to −18 °C (0 °F) at times. Snow is common in the highlands between May and September; the higher peaks can experience snowfalls year-round.

Transportation

The only paved road in the country was the Kingsway in the capital, Maseru, between the Mejametalana Airport and the Royal Palace. Since the early 1970s, the road infrastructure has been substantially developed. The only railway line in Lesotho is the Maseru branch line, which connects the capital city Maseru to the Bloemfontein–Bethlehem line in the railway network of South Africa.

The final 1.6 kilometers (1.0 mi) of this line, which opened on 18 December 1905, lays within the borders of Lesotho, running from the border bridge on the Mohokare River through the northern industrial district of Maseru to that city’s station, the only railway station in the country.

There are a total of 28 airports in Lesotho, of which 3 have paved runways. The only international airport is the Moshoeshoe International Airport in Mazenod, a short distance southeast from Maseru. The main runway of the Moshoeshoe Airport is the only one with a runway longer than 1,523 meters; it measures at 3,200 meters.

Of the other airports, one has a paved runway between 914 and 1,523 meters in length and one a paved runway with a length of under 914 meters. Four of the airports have unpaved runways of between 914 and 1,523 meters in length, and the others have unpaved runways of less than 914 meters. All of the classifications are made by the length of the longest runway on an airport.

(2)

Lesotho is landlocked and completely dependent on South Africa for sea transport. The nearest major port and the transshipping point for the country is Durban. Recently due to delays out of Durban more companies have been using the Port Elizabeth facilities that are 2 hours farther south.

Inland water transport is limited to small ferry boats at river crossings, and the Government of Lesotho operates boats at major crossings.

What to See

Bokong Nature Reserve

Bokong has perhaps the most dramatic setting of the three Lesotho Northern Parks reserves, with stunning vistas over the Lepaqoa Valley from the visitor’s center, various short walks and a good, rugged two- to three-day hike to Ts’ehlanyane National Park. Bearded vultures, rock shelters and valley head fens (wetland areas) are features here.

You can gush about the impressive waterfall, near both the visitor’s center and where you can camp. You can also stay overnight in a very basic, four-person hut – bring your own food, sleeping bag, mattress and stove. Guides are available, and pony trekking can be arranged. The reserve sits at just over 3000m and gets cold at night, so come prepared. Bookings must be made through Lesotho Northern Parks.

Liphofung Cave Cultural & Historical Site

Just beyond the village of Muela is the sign-posted turn-off for this small Lesotho Northern Parks–administered site, which includes a cave with some San paintings and Stone Age artifacts. King Moshoeshoe the Great is rumored to have stopped here on his travels around Lesotho.

There is a cultural center and a small shop selling local crafts. Day walks are possible and with notice you can arrange guided hikes and pony treks.

(3)

Accommodation is available in simple, but comfortable, stone, four-person rondavels with kitchen facilities and sweeping views.

It is also possible to camp in the cave – a novel and atmospheric experience. Either way, you’ll need to bring your own food.

Ha Kome Cave Houses

(4)

The Ha Kome cave houses are an anomaly in this area, 21km from Teyateyaneng and several kilometers from the village of Mateka. These extraordinary inhabited mud dwellings are nestled under a rock overhang, hidden within the pink-and-orange cliffs.

There’s a small information center with toilets and a few basic maps. In a 2WD, you should be able reach the caves from TY or from Maseru or Thaba-Bosiu via Sefikeng, but do check on road conditions. Shared taxis go there from TY and Maseru. A music and beer festival takes place here in November.

Tsikoane Village Dinosaur Footprints

This set of footprints is a few kilometers south of Leribe at Tsikoane village. Immediately after the Tsikoane Primary School, take the small dirt road to the right towards some rocky outcrops.

Follow it up to the church. Children will vie to lead you the 1km slog up the mountainside to the minwane, in a series of caves, and a guide can be helpful here. The prints are clearly visible on the rock ceiling.

Malealea

(5)

Set in truly stunning scenery, the village of Malealea, with its mountains, valleys and ancient San paintings hidden in rock shelters, is one of the gems of Lesotho.

The best way to experience the spectacular landscape is to take a pony trek or wander on foot through the hills and villages. Malealea is appropriately advertised as ‘Lesotho in a nutshell’.

Katse Dam Visitors Centre

On the main road is Katse Dam’s visitor’s center, with information, displays and a dam-viewing deck. Look for the bright blue roof a few kilometers east of Katse village.

Guided tours of the dam wall (M10, one hour) depart at 9am and 2pm (weekdays) and 9am and 11am (weekends).

http://laurenceourac.com/be-in-sheer-awe-with-lesotho/

Images:

(1) http://www.letsgoafrica.nl/wp-content/uploads/Lets-Go-Lesotho.jpg
(2) www.flicker.com
(3)http://www.travellesotho.com/images/package/1359200594_0!!-!!Liphofung%20Cave%202%202.jpg 
(4) http://www.go2global.co.za/images/listing/ha%20kome.jpg
(5)http://cdn.africatravelresource.com/africa/southafrica/lesotho/maserusouth/malealea-lodge/0/stills/01intro/01SMSM-IM1101-malealea-lodge-1475.jpg