Lesotho - The Kingdom in the Sky

The Kingdom of Lesotho, a country landlocked within South Africa's borders, covers an area of 30 355 square kilometres and is one of the smallest and coldest countries in Africa. Lesotho is entirely mountainous and offers excellent 4 x 4 adventure challenges amid a backdrop of breath-taking natural scenery. Traveling in a 4 x 4 over the Drakensberg Mountains (or Maluti mountains in the local Sotho language), each bend and turn reveals a panoramic vista in a country which has an average altitude of over 1000m above sea level.

Driving though the countryside one will find small villages with friendly and welcoming local Basotho people and mountain herdsmen who - wrapped in blankets and clad in Wellington boots - appear in and out of the mist like the mystical beings in a Tolkein novel!

Getting to Lesotho is easy. Road networks are good and the journey to Lesotho from South Africa's Oliver Tambo Airport is a pleasant 4 hour journey. Many 4 x 4 trails will take a few days to complete and travellers can bush camp wherever they feel like it or at whichever summit takes their fancy. However, in all cases, it is best to find the village chief or headman in the village closest to where one decides to set up camp. A small sum will be expected (around L50 or $7) and he will ensure that the villagers stay away, enabling one to be 'audience free' when one sets up tocamp/read/eat or watch the view!

It is recommended that anyone travelling in Lesotho should take an excellent map as well as a GPS, spare fuel, water and all food with as supplies can only be replenished at the towns along the way. The villages are small and the village inhabitants support themselves with subsistence and cattle farming and have very little else. Clothing should be brought for all weather conditions as even in mid-summer the mountain climate is changeable and weather can turn from warm sunshine to freezing sleet. In winter, snow and icy winds can be expected at any time.

Villages are typically thatched stone huts with thick walls, comprising of around 10 - 25 huts. The people are friendly; children and dogs will come rushing down the hills to greet travellers in the hopes of getting some candy or other goodies in return!

When going off the beaten track into the mountains, it is best to travel in a convoy of at least 2 vehicles. It is possible to chance it alone if the vehicle is very reliable but if something does go wrong, it is likely that another vehicle may not come past for days.

Travelling along a 4 x 4 track is not the only option. Most main roads are accessible with a normal sedan car. Even so, roads can be rough particularly after rainy weather so hiring a 4 x 4 is recommended.

Things to do (other than 4 x 4 driving in the mountains!);

• Pony trekking. The Basotho are a nation of horsemen and to this day use ponies as the preferred mode of transport in order to reach their remote and inaccessible-by-car villages. Pony treks can be organized to traverse the rugged mountains and range in time from 1 hour to 6 days.
• Mountain climbing, walks and hikes. Mountain climbing is for the experienced mountaineer and not to be experimented with by the amateur. Walking and hiking are a pleasure, there are no fences and access just about anywhere is not restricted. Even so, precautions are necessary. Taking an excellent map is recommended, the relevant 1:50 000 maps can be obtained in Maseru and the various lodges will have comprehensive maps of their immediate localities. Every eventuality should be prepared for in terms of weather conditions and a third party should be aware of the hikers' destination and expected length of time away. Enough food should be carried for an extra day or two, just in case of unexpected delays.
• Fishing. Lesotho provides the angler with fly fishing opportunities from end September to end May each year but it is advisable to check on weather conditions closer to the time as December, January and February coincide with the rainy season.
• Skiing. The best time of the year is anywhere between May to August which is mid-winter in this part of the world.
• Paragliding. Information can be obtained from the Lesotho Tourist Board.
• Hang gliding. Information can be obtained from the Lesotho Tourist Board.

Visitors to Lesotho will leave reluctantly and will be sure to return to a country that has so much to offer the adventure tourist.

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