Things to do in Lesotho
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Ts'ehlanyane National Park
This Lesotho Northern Parks–administered national park protects a beautiful, high-altitude, 5600-hectare patch of rugged wilderness, including one of Lesotho’s only stands of indigenous forest. This underrated and underused place is about as far away from it all as you can get and is perfect for hiking.
In addition to day walks, there’s a challenging 39km hiking trail from Ts’ehlanyane southwest to Bokong Nature Reserve through some of Lesotho’s most dramatic terrain. Guides can be arranged. Pony trekking can be arranged through Lesotho Northern Parks with advance notice or through Maliba Mountain Lodge.
For accommodation, there are various campsites, a…
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Afri-Ski
Skiing is available through Afri-Ski, about 10km past Oxbow.
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Thaba-Bosiu
Thaba-Bosiu is the evocative mountain stronghold of Moshoeshoe the Great, who first occupied the place in 1824. Good views from here include those of the Qiloane pinnacle (inspiration for the Basotho hat), along with the remains of fortifications, Moshoeshoe's grave, and parts of the original settlement.
Thaba-Bosiu means Mountain at Night, perhaps a memory of when the sight was first occupied. Another legend suggests that Thaba-Bosiu is a hill in daylight, but transformed into a mountain after dark. There's an information centre at the base of Thaba-Bosiu; an official guide will take you to the summit.
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Sehlabathebe National 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 grasslands, wildflowers and silence provide a sense of complete isolation.
Isolated is what you'll be apart from the prolific birdlife (including the bearded vulture) and the odd rhebok. Hiking (and horse riding from Sani Top or the Drakensbergs) is the main way to explore the waterfalls and surrounds, and angling is possible in the park's dams and rivers.
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Basotho Pony Trekking Centre
About 85km west of Thaba-Tseka, on the top of God Help Me Pass, is the Basotho Pony Trekking Centre. It’s a fairly no-frills and do-it-yourself experience compared to other pony-trekking places, but it is one of the most easily accessible from Maseru. Reports are that it’s foundered a little of late; it’s managed by the Ministry of Agriculture and seems forever up for privatisation or new management. Visit the Maseru tourist information office for an update before booking.
From the site there’s a pleasant, 90-minute walk to a waterfall and picnic area. The walk takes you through a Basotho village and the pool below the waterfall is bracing but worth a quick swim…
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Katse Botanical Garden
Don’t miss the pleasant and interesting Katse Botanical Garden originally established to protect the spiral aloes displaced from the dam’s construction. It has rapidly flourished to include paved, hillside trails passing via a rock garden, indigenous flowers and a medicinal section. A plant-propagation project takes place in the greenhouse.
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Malealea
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'.
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Times Caffe
The funky red-and-blue suede sofas, stylish lights and oh-so-shiny chrome trimmings make this ‘it’ for the local cool crowd. While the setting is fine, travellers say it’s unreliable – the menu boasts many things which are never available. Best to stick with ordering coffee.
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Basotho Hat
This government-run craft shop is the best place to start, although prices are generally higher than elsewhere in the country. If you plan on walking or pony trekking, the horsehair fly whisks sold here make good investments.
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Mimmo’s Italian Deli
A pleasant place housed in an old building with an outdoor terrace; the wood-oven pizzas are great, pasta less so. (Okay, so we’re being picky, but the grating chairs can well, grate on you!).
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Rendezvous
A fave among aid workers and locals who goss in the garden cafe or have a tipple in the traditional chandeliered restaurant, complete with cloth napkins and large menu.
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Regal
Regal serves surprisingly delicious British-style Indian food (think ‘butter chicken’ and ‘spicy kormas’) at the smartest restaurant in town. Located in the Basotho Hat, it’s a boon for vegetarians and the go-to place for business meetings and special occasions.
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Mediterranée’s Restaurant Pizzeria
This casual diner draws the crowds looking for good, oven-baked pizzas, burgers and grills. There’s outdoor seating, popular for drinking coffee.
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Garden Route Adventure
13 days (Durban)
by Intrepid
Make a splash on the Wild Coast, Encounter gentle giants in the Addo Elephant National Park, Travel along the scenic Garden Route, See why Oudtshoorn is the…Not LP reviewed
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Kruger, Coast & Cape
21 days (Johannesburg)
by Intrepid
Encounter gentle giants in the Addo Elephant Park, Camp out in Africa's wilderness in the Zululand district, Delve into the astounding Cango Caves outside…Not LP reviewed
from USD$3,280 -
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Craft Vendors
The craft vendors in front of the tourist information office have a supply of woven Basotho hats and other souvenirs.
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Lehaha Grill
This is an upscale place with crisp tablecloths, a three-course menu and à la carte selections. If nothing suits, Chinese food is usually served during the evening in the Sun’s second restaurant right next door, and its all-you-can-eat luncheon buffet costs M80.
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Seithati Weavers
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Bakery
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Maseru Tapestries & Mats
For tapestries, try Maseru Tapestries & Mats, near the train station.
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Maseru Club
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Meloding Club
Local dance hall, hip hop and reggae stars are making their presence felt on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights in this indoor/outdoor club at Hotel Victoria.
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Avis
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Times Caffe
Great coffee.
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