SEMONKONG LODGE - PLACE OF SMOKE
Experience one of the most beautiful and remote countries in Africa with Semonkong Lodge.
Landlocked by South Africa and commonly known as the Mountain Kingdom, Lesotho is 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, offering just the right balance between civilisation and rustic elegance; a perfect base to explore this area on the iconic Basotho pony, mountain bikes or dare to take on the highest commercial abseil in the world.
Just down the river from the lodge, the mighty Maletsunyane Falls is one of the highest single dropping Falls in Africa, creating a haze of smokey mist as the water plummets with savage splendour 186m down into a spectacular gorge. This is how Semonkong, The Place of Smoke, got its name.
The well-known Duck and Donkey Tavern and Restaurant, provides a popular meeting place for both locals and guests and boasts affordable, delicious homemade meals and cold Maluti beers.
Armelle & Jonathan Halse took over the running of Semonkong Lodge, from the Frasers Trading Company, in 1990. The site on which the lodge stands, started by Syd Chaplain of Maluti Treks, was a favourite camping base for pony trekkers and fly fisherman looking to catch the famous brown or rainbow trout. Today, the lodge has grown to 23 stone and thatch rooms neatly positioned on the banks of the Maletsunyane River.
Deeply ingrained in the Semonkong Village and community which is just a stone’s throw away, the lodge is always bustling with activity as the Basotho people go about their daily lives. The balcony outside our Duck and Donkey Tavern, offers a fascinating view of daily life in Lesotho, as the Basotho’s, in their straw hats and traditional blankets, trot gracefully past on their ponies, followed by scuttling sheep, dogs, goats and donkeys. They are constantly transporting food and supplies, including large amounts of beer, from Semonkong to their villages which are sometimes days away.
Semonkong lodge believes in empowering individuals within our local community, using our environment and its conservation as the focal point of all our activities, creating long term sustainable income through tourism for as many people as possible. Please support all these activities as they provide jobs & strive to conserve the environment.
Semonkong Lodge offers you a glimpse of life in “The Kingdom in the Sky”, knowing you will return home refreshed and at peace.
Semonkong lodge has hiking and pony trekking ,to the the Guinees book of records Abseil.
The Maletsunyane wterfall is a single drop and is 204 meters.
