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Duration: | 7 Day(s) - 6 Night(s) |
Tour Category: | Culture History Hiking Pony |
Lesotho & Swaziland-6 Nights/7 Days(2 Kingdoms in One)!
Lesotho Overland- 3 Nights / 4 Days
Day 1: All Meals-Own Cost (Depending on Flight Arrival).
Departure from Maseru airport and proceed to Thaba Bosiu, lunch on arrival, lunch. After lunch, a guide will take us on tour and explain the history of the 1st Chief Moshoehoe and how he was able to conquer the Zulu King Shakas warriors. Well then be taken to a demonstration village and from a distance see the famous mountain Thaba Bosiu. Do an orientation tour of Maseru and visit the curio shop and see how Tapestries are made!
Overnight: Avani Lesotho Sun and Casino ( 5 STAR).
Luxury Hotel in Maseru with Spa & Casino
Free WiFi in the Lobby
Main Amenities:
158 smoke-free guestrooms
Casino
Restaurant and bar/lounge
Full-service spa
Outdoor pool
Health club
Self-parking
Conference center
Childcare
Open Terrace
Day 2: All Meals-Own Cost!
Depart after breakfast and proceed along winding, ascending the Blue Mountain Pass to 2.620m, named after the 2.900m high Thaba Putswa (Blue Mountain), which dominates the range in the north. On the tar road, we drive past mountains of white sandstone to Roma.
The city is the principal center of the Roman Catholic Church in Lesotho and since 1964 the site of the National University of Lesotho. Roma was founded in 1862 when King Moshoeshoe granted the site to Bishop Allard and Father Gerard to Semonkong known as ‘The Place of Smoke’. The place boasts the spectacular Maletsunyane Falls which thunder from a height of 197m, and is one of the highest /longest single-drop waterfalls in Africa.
The journey will be explored through the rugged mountains of Lesotho with experienced guides via Roma. A scenic drive through a bushy landscape, small forests, and farmland dotted with picturesque villages. Along the road dense bushes and shrubs are used by the locals for medical purposes, e.g. the "Wild Als Bush" is a remedy for Asthma and Flu or the "Chi/Chi Bush" (Old Wood Bush) for stomach problems. On the roadside basalt stone with hardened volcanic bubbles.
We descend the pass to a viewpoint at 1.860m to look down to the awesome valley. An exciting journey high over the summit of the Thaba Putswa Range via Makheka’s Pass and across the basalt moorland roof of Southern Africa to Semonkong, "the Place of Smoke". View stop at 2.260m before we reach the summit of the Makheka’s Pass at 2.860m.
Panoramic views of the valley with farmlands. The grassland around is dotted with the yellow flowers of Euryops, the white Arum Lilies, the bright red and yellow colors of the Red-Hot Pokers, and plenty of other wildflowers. Basotho ponies will be on standby for those who would prefer to pony trek to Maletsunyane falls along the rugged terrain. The clients will have a chance to hike to the bottom of the waterfall where swimming and Trout fishing can be enjoyed.
Lunch at Semonkong Lodge. After lunch, we proceed to view the Maletsunyana Falls-called the Place of Smoke. (Depending on flight arrival or viewing of the Maletsenyane falls, after breakfast the next day).
Semonkong Lodge-Place of Smoke
The mighty Maletsunyane Falls is one of the highest single-drop waterfalls in Africa! Creating a haze of smoke as the water plummets with savage splendor 204 meters down into a spectacular gorge. This is how Semonkong, The Place of Smoke, got its name.
Landlocked by South Africa lies a country with the highest lowest point in the world & hiding away in the magnificent Maluti Mountains, you will discover the gem that is Semonkong Lodge, built on the banks of the Maletsunyane River using only local stone & thatch, that offers just the right balance between civilization and rustic elegance; electricity, hot showers, roaring fireplaces, and not a telephone in sight. The fully licensed Duck and Donkey Tavern and Restaurant, provide a popular meeting place for both locals and guests.
The restaurant serves world-renowned, affordable scrumptious meals and also caters to vegetarians. Experience the wilds of Lesotho at Semonkong Lodge.
World Record Maletsunyane Abseil
This is the longest commercially operated single-drop abseil in the world as stated by Guinness World Records. (204m).
Overnight at Semonkong Lodge
Day 3: All Meals-Own Cost!
After a good breakfast at the lodge travel via Moitsupeli, turning left towards Koro-Koro. A scenic drive through a bushy landscape, small forests, and farmland dotted with picturesque villages. Along the road, dense bushes and shrubs are used by locals for medical purposes, picturesque mountain landscapes, and rural settlements. At the roadside basalt stone with hardened bubbles. Packed lunch provided for. Entering a very rural part of Lesotho and a lot of interaction with the local population takes place.
Our destination houses a popular Pony Trekking Center and is situated in secluded woodland surrounded by beautiful countryside. Dinner at the lodge.
Overnight: Malealea Lodge.
Day4: All meals-own cost!(depending on flight departure)
Depart Malealea Lodge after breakfast, for Maseru airport. The tour will finish off by visiting Morija, named after the biblical Mt. Moriah. Morija maintained the magic that first attracted the missionaries. It is the only forested village in Lesotho, with every road lined with trees, some of which date back more than a century. Hidden between the trees is the historic ‘mother church’, as well as the schools, the printing works, the hospital, the museum, and other institutions established by the missionaries.
Morija Museum & Archives Overview
Established in 1956, Morija Museum & Archives collects valuable archival material and museum collections. The museum also works on a range of arts & culture projects, plus, heritage and community-based tourism initiatives.
At the heart of Morija Museum &Archives (MMA) are its valuable archival and museum collections, which have been growing incrementally since the 19th century.
These collections form the basis for research and publishing, as well as exhibitions and educational programs for schools, visitors, and tourists. Morija Museum was formally established in 1956 based upon the Dieterlen family's ethnographic and historical collections together with palaeontological and geological collections from the Ellenbergers.
These two collections provided the main pillars of the present-day Museum collections which have been growing incrementally over the past 50 years. In 2005, for example, a collection of more modern material culture including hundreds of beaded items was bequeathed to the museum by Chris Van Nispen.
Other MMA(NGOs) initiatives have made a great impact on the arts and culture, the most notable being the Maeder House Art Gallery, the embryonic Morija Arts Centre, the annual Morija Arts & Cultural Festival, and the nationwide School Cultural Competitions.
The Museum has helped to develop and encourage a broader range of tourism services and products in the greater Morija area, including the Museum Tea Room, Picnic Area, and Amphitheatre for larger events; tours of historic Morija and dinosaur footprints, walking trails, bird-watching, and pony-trekking; as well as guest houses, conference center, home-stays, village experiences, cultural activities, catering services, and art/craft production.
A non-profit cultural & educational institution belonging to Lesotho Evangelical Church, Morija Museum & Archives is dedicated to developing programs and activities related to history, heritage, and community-based tourism, the arts and culture, as well as science and the environment. Arrival at Maseru airport!
THE KINGDOM OF SWAZILAND-3 Nights/4 Days
Day 4: Breakfast Only!
Arriving in Swaziland, you are met by our representative at the airport, who will transfer you to Hlane Royal National Park. Hlane Royal National Park is held in trust for the Swazi Nation by His Majesty King Mswati 111. Swaziland’s history is surprisingly long and fascinating for such a small nation.
Artifacts up to 200 000years old and ancient rock paintings from approximately 25 000 BC have been found in the country. Swaziland’s first documented inhabitants, Khoisan hunter-gatherers, were eventually displaced by Bantu tribes who migrated from eastern Africa’s Great Lakes area during the 15th and 16th Centuries. In more contemporary times, when the then-ruling monarch, King Mswati 11 died in 1982, the Great Council of State selected a young 14-year-old prince to be the next king.
He continued his education in England attending Sherbourne School before he was called back to the throne and crowned on 25 April 1986 aged 18 and 6 days! The king and his mother, whose title is Ndlovukati ("Great She-Elephant"), rule jointly the wildlife preserve, Hlane Royal National Park which is held in trust by the Monarch, that we are headed. Ndlovu Camp is set beneath ancient hardwood trees, overlooking a busy waterhole frequented by hippos, elephants, white rhinos, and innumerable antelope species.
Overnight: Ndlovu Camp, Hlane Royal National Park.
Day 5: Breakfast only!
After breakfast, we visit Umphakatsi Cultural village – this is the local chief’s village where we explore authentic Swazi Culture with great photo opportunities then proceed to the Ezulwini Valley and onto Milwane Wildlife Sanctuary via the capital city, Mbabane. Once we have checked into our accommodation, we embark on a wildlife safari on horseback amongst the animals! There is traditional Swazi dancing on selected evenings.
Day 6: Breakfast Only!
After breakfast, another outride on horseback to view the animal life of Mlilwane.
We then depart for the cultural village in Mantenga followed by a trip into the Ezulwini Valley to view Swazi Art &Craft.
Day 7: Breakfast Only!
Transfer to Manzini airport.
END OF TOUR!
Valid Passports Essential
If the number of clients increases or decreases the cost will be adjusted accordingly!
Included:
Accommodation & meals as indicated
Entry Fees
Mineral Water
Transport in 4x4 vehicles
Game Drives
Excluded:
All drinks= Soft+Alcoholic
Personal expenses+Insurances
Game Drives
Walks/Hikes
Tips to guide
Airport Transfers
General Information
Every guest on tour is entering a rural and unspoiled African terrain.
Therefore, it is necessary to travel with a tolerant and flexible mind.
Accommodations, bathroom facilities, and meals are in most places very basic, simple, and rustic.
Most lunch stops are based on packed lunches or picnic meals in Lesotho
There are no or very few toilet facilities en route.
We reserve the right to alter any routes or itineraries should circumstances, like weather, road conditions, unforeseen obstacles, etc. so demand.
Some accommodations use generators for the supply of electricity, which switches off at 22:00, and gas geysers for the hot water supply.
This is True, unspoiled Africa –at its Best!