TravelComments.com - Backpacker Guide through Southern Africa


Area: 30.355 sq km
Capital: Maseru
Currency: Loti (LSL)
Languages: Sesotho (southern Sotho), English (official), Zulu, Xhosa
Population: 2,130,819 (July 2009 est.)
Ethnic Groups: Sesotho (southern Sotho) 99,7%
Europeans, Asians and other 0,3%
Climate: temperate; cool to cold, dry winters; hot, wet summers
Elevation extremes: lowest point: junction of the Orange and Makhaleng Rivers 1,400 m
highest point: Thabana Ntlenyana 3,482 m
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 23.2% (2007 est.)
Electricity: 220V - 50hz
plugs: "South African" plugs - click here
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Internet Country Code: .ls

for more Lesotho statistics click here

Lesotho at a glance

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» Lesotho

Weather Forecast | Weather Maps

Weather
Lesotho winters are cold and clear. Frosts are common and there are snowfalls. At other times of the year, snow has been known to fall, but rain and mist are more common. Mind, that the weather in the high peaks of the country is dangerously changeable. Mainly all of Lesotho's rain is falling between Octover & April. In the valleys temperatures in summer can easily be above 30°C.

Lesotho, the “Kingdom in the sky” or the “Mountain Kingdom”, is completely surrounded by the Republic of South Africa. After independence from Great Britain in 1966 the former Basutoland changed its name into Lesotho.
The tourist potential of the mountainous Kingdom is the natural beauty, rich flora and fauna, and the absorbing prehistoric and cultural heritage.

Lesotho is up to today one of the hidden gems of Southern Africa. Not many tourists, in comparison to the other Southern African countries, are visiting Lesotho. Due to its position up in the mountains and its less developed transport system, getting around in Lesotho can be quite difficult. Recent developments brought the first skiing resort to the country and with it one of the longest ski slopes in Africa.

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How to get there & around?

By car - by far the easiest way of getting around in Lesotho. Rental cars are available in Lesotho, but as most travellers are only spending a couple of days in the country on their way back to South Africa it makes more sense to rent the car in South Africa. If you’re in a group, renting a car is also often the most economical way of exploring the country. Although road conditions are not always perfect, it is possible and uncomplicated to reach even the remotest area of Lesotho. Driving is on the left-hand side of the road. Check the opening times of the border post before hitting the road to Lesohto.

By bus - Big Sky Coaches and Intercape run daily buses in each direction between Bloemfontein and Maseru.

By minibus taxi - minibus taxis travel between Mokhotlong (Lesotho) and Underberg (South Africa) via Sani Pass; and several taxis daily between Qacha’s Nek (Lesotho) and Matatiele (South Africa). There are also minibuses connecting Johannesburg with Maseru and Ladybrand (South Africa), which is only about 20km from the Maseru Bridge border.

Organised Tours?

5 day Mountain Waterfalls Pony Ride

Your sure footed Basotho pony will take you past the Maletsunyane Waterfall home of the world's longest abseil. Continue over mountains to reach the Ketane Valley where the Ketane Falls wait to be explored. Your last waterfall on the trek is the impressive Ribaneng Waterfall. Traditional huts offers basic village accommodation and the opportunity to interact and learn from the Basotho people. Exploring the Mountains of Lesotho on a traditional Basotho pony is an adventure not to be missed.
Pickup info: Pick-up is from the Maseru Tourist Information Centre on Tuesdays and Fridays.

1 Day Sani Pass Tour

Depart from Underberg and travel via Himeville towards the Sani Pass, stopping at historical and view sites en route. Becoming one with the mountain splendour, flora, fauna and culture will be the order of the day.
After the South African border post at 1967 m, travel the 8 km of "no man's land" and climb 1000 m in a rugged 4X4 with skilled and trained mountain guides. Negotiate the hairpin bends with wonderful names like Suicide, Grays, Ice and Reverse Corner, and climb sections with a 30% gradient before reaching the summit and Lesotho.
After the border formalities, travel into Lesotho to a traditional village, visit with a family, and enter the houses of the local people for whom time has stood still for many year
Return to the Sani Top Chalet - the highest pub in Africa - for lunch, and then descend the Sani Pass and return to Underberg.
Passports are essential, and bring warm clothing.
Pickup info: Departures from the Himeville Arms Hotel in Himeville at 9.30 am, otherwise pick-ups can be arranged prior to the 9.30 am departure, or en route from Underberg to Sani Pass.

more tours in Lesotho - Ha Baroana & Mohale Dam, Mokhethoaneng and Ha Kome, Katse Dam and Crafts Tour etc.

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