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Lesotho

Beautiful, culturally rich, affordable and easily accessible from Durban and Johannesburg, mountainous Lesotho (le-soo-too) 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 multicoloured balaclavas and blankets greet you round precipitous bends. The hiking and trekking – often on a famed Basotho pony – is world class, offering undulating expanses of pastoral charm, traditional rondavels (round huts with a conical roof) and innumerable grazing sheep.

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.

Explore Lesotho

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Top attractions

These are our favorite local haunts, touristy spots, and hidden gems throughout Lesotho.

  • Park

    Qacha's Nek Snake Park

    This site is unique in Lesotho, not only because it is the country's only snake park, but because you can also get your car washed while you visit the…

  • Museum

    Cultural Village

    Revamped in 2016, the well-maintained cultural village is a highly worthwhile stop. Excellent guided tours of the complex explain traditional Basotho…

  • Historic Site

    Liphofung Cave Cultural & Historical Site

    This small but historically significant sandstone overhang is adorned in San rock art and served as a temporary hideaway home for King Moshoeshoe the…

  • Nature Reserve

    Bokong Nature Reserve

    Bokong has perhaps the more dramatic setting of the two northern parks, with stunning vistas over the Lepaqoa Valley from the visitors centre, various…

  • National Park

    Ts'ehlanyane National Park

    The country's top park features a beautiful, 56-sq-km patch of rugged wilderness, including one of Lesotho’s only stands of indigenous forest, at a high…

  • Rock Art

    Ha Baroana

    Ha Baroana is one of Lesotho’s more important and publicised rock-art sites. It’s worth a visit if you have extra time, although neglect and vandalism…

  • National Park

    Sehlabathebe National Park

    This far-flung, lesser-visited park offers stunning rock formations, rolling grasslands, wildflowers and a feeling of isolation, though there's also a…

  • Cave

    Ha Kome Cave Houses

    The Ha Kome cave houses are an anomaly in this area, 21km from Teyateyaneng (TY) and several kilometres from the village of Mateka. These extraordinary…

  • Historic Site

    Subeng River Dinosaur Footprints

    Dinosaur footprints abound near Leribe. About 7km north of town (en route to Butha-Buthe) are the Subeng River footprints. At the signpost, just before…

  • Historic Site

    Tsikoane Village Dinosaur Footprints

    This set of footprints is a few kilometres south of Leribe at Tsikoane village. Immediately after the Tsikoane Primary School, take the small dirt road to…

  • Library

    Royal Archives & Museum

    Morija's unremarkable neighbouring village, Matsieng, is the unlikely site of a royal compound. A new palace was built in Maseru in the '60s, but the…

  • Archaeological Site

    Dinosaur Footprints

    One of Quthing’s main claims to fame is the proliferation of dinosaur footprints in the surrounding area. The most easily accessible are signposted on the…

  • Museum

    Morija Museum & Archives

    This small, considered museum contains ethnographical exhibits, archives from the early mission and scientific artefacts. There’s an excellent collection…

  • Lake

    Lake Letsie

    A little-visited but incredibly picturesque lake that makes for gorgeous day trips from Quthing (a two-hour, bumpy ride each way). Intrepid travellers may…

  • Gardens

    Katse Botanical Garden

    Katse Botanical Garden was originally established to protect the spiral aloes displaced from the Katse Dam’s construction. It has flourished to include…

  • Viewpoint

    Mohale Dam Visitors Centre

    The visitors centre is 15km from the main road, signposted west of Mohale village. It offers dam views, a guided tour (M10) and boat cruises (per person…

  • Museum

    Masitise Cave House Museum

    Five kilometres west of Quthing is this intriguing section of an old mission, built directly into a San rock shelter in 1866 by Reverend David-Frédéric…

  • Arts Centre

    Maeder House Gallery

    This art centre and gallery is near the Morija Museum & Archives in a missionary house dating back to 1843. Various local artists work and exhibit their…

  • Viewpoint

    Katse Dam Visitors Centre

    On the main road in Katse village is the dam's visitors centre, with information, displays and a dam-viewing deck. Look for the bright blue roof a few…

  • Landmark

    Major Bell’s Tower

    Leribe's main sight is this crumbling gun tower near the market. It was built for the Gun War in the late 1800s, but spent most of its career as a…

Top experiences

Whether it’s a guided tour of a historic landmark, private tasting of local delicacies, or an off-road adventure — explore the best experiences in Lesotho.