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Duration: | 10 Day(s) - 9 Night(s) |
Tour Category: | 4x4 Adventures |
Day 1: Lunch & Dinner –Own Cost!
Pickup at Durban airport and transfer to Lodge in Himeville. Stop for lunch at Howick Falls Hotel and a brief viewing of the Howick Water Fall after lunch.Arrival at Lodge in Himeville+- 16H00.
Overnight at Kar Micheal Guest Lodge in Himeville.
Day 2: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner-Own Cost.
This timing is flexible, depending on the Highlights below!
Departure at 08:30 in the morning from Underberg/Himeville. Stop at the Good Hope Trading Store, originated in 1917 by John White-Smith. Ascending the legendary Sani Pass with its hairpin bends offering unparalleled vistas of the Sani Valley and Drakensberg Escarpment situated within the Ukhahlamba Drakensberg Park, one of our world's Heritage Sites.
Proteas-National Flora of South Africa, along the road, proceed to view 12 Apostles. These geological structures are one of the oldest mountain ranges in the world. Our Guide is taking care of the border formalities. At the summit at 2.874 m, we stop for refreshment at the Sani Stone Lodge, the New Highest Pub in Africa. Thereafter we proceed to the village and the Basotho culture will be explained.
Ascending the Black Mountain Pass up to 3.280 m, following the Senqu River. Nearby the highest mountain in Southern Africa, Thabana Ntlenyana with 3.482 m, meaning “the little mountain which is a little nice”. Our journey takes us on a tar road onto the summit of the highest road in Africa, the Tlaeeng Pass (3.255 m) – The Roof of Africa.
Slightly slower than the Pass of Guns with 3.240 m, pass the Mahlasela Ski Slope to Oxbow within a Ski Resort. All mountains are covered in snow in winter.
Overnight: Oxbow Lodge.
Day 3: Breakfast Included, Lunch & Dinner-Own Cost.
Breakfast at the lodge and departing at 08H00. The twisting tar road to the summit of the Moteng Pass, with 2.840m one of the highest roads attained by normal two-wheel-drive vehicles in Southern Africa. This is the basalt roof of Southern Africa, a world of winter snows, frozen waterfalls, crisp clear air, and crystal streams with fat trout.
Visit Liphofong Cave (San Rock Art Paintings), and descriptions of the paintings and the history behind the San people will be discussed. Descending into the Holola Valley (River of the Blue Crane), pass spectacular sandstone overhangs and rugged countryside to Butha-Buthe. This little town was named after King Moshoeshoe’s old mountain stronghold, Butha-Buthe, the Gatherer.
On our way to Leribe/Hlotse strange, richly colored rock shapes may be seen on all sides, creating the effect of a vast assembly of weird, petrified figures. Passing a few missions and several rock shelters where Bushmen Paintings may be seen, the main road passes the Leribe Farmers Training Center to the town of Hlotse.
It is the administrative center of the Leribe district and originated in 1876 when a Mission outpost was established here. Visit the Craft Centre, and pack lunch en route. Continue on the Nelson Mandela Road, crossing the Malibamatso River (River of Dark Pools) where the great Katse Dam was constructed from 1991- 1997. Our Guide is taking care of the security checkpoint.
The Katse Dam is the second largest dam in the world and supplies water to Witwatersrand (Gauteng, Soweto), Farming, and Mining in South Africa, and irrigates the lowlands in Lesotho.
Overnight: Katse Dam Lodge.
Day 4: Breakfast Included, Lunch & Dinner-Own Cost!
After breakfast at Katse Dam; depart at 08H30 for a tour of the Katse Dam. Traveling on a gravel/dirt road (2 hours) winding through rural villages and picturesque farmlands leads us to the town of Thaba Tseka. Heading west, leaving the highlands with their dark basalt stones. Thaba Tseka-means a mountain, with a Blaze!
Climbing steeply to the summit of the Tshetshe Pass (Cheches), 2.560 m, the road crosses the Senqunyane River, also known as the Little Orange River, which is one of the principal upper tributaries of the Orange River.
Traditional packed lunch, purchased in Thaba Tseka or lunch on arrival at Mohale Dam! If the boat is operational, we could do a boat cruise on the Mohale Dam after breakfast. If the boat for the Mohale Dam cruise isn’t available, we'll take a drive to view the dam wall!
Overnight: Mohale Dam.
Day 5: Breakfast Included, Lunch & Dinner-Own Cost.
Depart after breakfast and start ascending Blue Mountain Pass to 2.620 m, named after the 2.900 m high Thaba Putswa (Blue Mountain), then ascending Bushmans (2226 m) and God Help Me (2281 m) Passes. Which dominates the range in the north.
Lunch at Lancers Inn in Maseru and after lunch visit Maseru central for a craft market and viewing of tapestries being hand-made!
Maseru is the capital and largest city of Lesotho. It is also the capital of the Maseru District. Located on the Caledon River, Maseru lies directly on the Lesotho-South Africa border. Maseru is Lesotho's capital city with a population of approximately 380,000.
The city was established as a police camp and assigned as the capital after the country became a British protectorate in 1869. When the country achieved independence in 1966, Maseru retained its status as the capital. The name of the city is a Sesotho word meaning "red sandstones". By 1824, King Moshoeshoe had established himself as king.
Overnight at Botleng Guest House.
Day 6: Breakfast, Lunch& Dinner-Own Cost!
Depart the lodge after breakfast and travel to Thaba Bosiu. Lunch on arrival at Thaba Bosiu. 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 Shaka's warriors. Well then be taken to a demonstration village and from a distance see the famous mountain Thaba Bosiu.
Depart Thaba Bosiu after lunch to visit the Kome Caves in Teyateyaneng. 20 minutes of traveling on a gravel road!
At Ha Kome there is a remarkable village where cave dwellings have been carved out under towering rocks. The families still living there today are descendants of the original people who “built” the caves in the 19th century and the site is now a National Heritage Site. The people living there now still live much as their forefathers did almost two centuries ago and those who have occupied the caves over the years have left a rich cultural history.
Gruesomely, this area was once home to cannibals and past generations of Basotho fled to the caves to hide from them. Parking at the top of the hill allows you to walk for about 20 minutes to reach the Ha Kome Visitors Centre where you will be given a guided tour of the caves and told something about the history and culture of the people.
Overnight at Malealea Lodge
Day 7: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner-Own Cost!
After breakfast depart Malealea Lodge and 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. Entering a very rural part of Lesotho 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.
Day 8: Breakfast, Lunch& Dinner-Own Cost!
Depart after breakfast for either a hike to view San Rock Art paintings, at Echo Caves +- 3 hours round trip. Travel to the town of Morija and visit the Morija museum. Where the whole history of Lesotho is given! After that viewing of the King's Palace (strictly no photos allowed).
Lunch in Roma. Traditional Barbeque Style at a Local Restaurant.
Depart for Semonkong Lodge, ascending 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 204m, 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 passing 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.
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. Maletsunyane Falls is a single cataract on a tributary of the Orange River in Lesotho, 75 miles (121 km).
Experience the wilds of Lesotho at Semonkong Lodge.
Overnight at Semonkong Lodge.
Day 9: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner-Own Cost!
After breakfast do a pony trek to view the Maletsunyane waterfall.
Depart Semonkong Lodge after breakfast and climb back up into the mid-highlands of Lesotho overlooking the Senqu/Orange River.T 2.080m stop at “Christ the King” viewpoint with a beautiful view into the valley below and mountains around. Cross over the Orange River (Senqu River) river. 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.
Traveling through rural Lesotho villages, before turning right and crossing over the Orange/Senqu River. The Orange River, South Africa's major river, rises in the Drakensberg in Lesotho, where it is known as the Senqu. From where the river leaves Lesotho, it flows westward for some 2200km to where it finally flows into the Atlantic Ocean at Alexander Bay.
Exciting Lesotho via Quachas Nek border post. Qacha's Nek is a district of Lesotho. Qacha's Nek is the capital of Camptown and the only town in the district. In the south, Qacha's Nek borders the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa, and it has a short border with KwaZulu-Natal Province in the Far East. Domestically, it borders Quthing District in the southwest, Mohale's Hook District in the west, and Thaba-Tseka District in the northern direction.
Enjoy traveling through the picturesque farmlands of East Griqualand with traditionally decorated huts along the route. A scenic drive through a bushy landscape, small forests, and farmland dotted with picturesque villages. Passing through Matatiele in the Eastern Cape, bordering on Kwa Zulu Natal, travel to Underberg by late afternoon and travel through the small town of Swartberg.
Dams
The Gariep Dam, near Colesburg, is the main storage structure within the Orange River. From here the water is supplied in two directions, namely westward along the Orange River (via hydroelectric power generators) to the Vanderkloof Dam, and southward through the Orange-Fish Tunnel to the Eastern Cape.
The total Orange-Senqu River basin extends over four countries, Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia, and South Africa, and covers an area of 1 000 000 km². 64.2% (642 000 km²) of the basin falls within South Africa, 24.5% (245 000 km²) in Namibia, 7.9% (79 000 km²) in Botswana, and 3.4% (34 000 km²) in Lesotho.
The basin incorporates the central part of South Africa, which represents nearly half of the surface area of the RSA, the whole of Lesotho (where the main river is known as the Senqu), reaches the southern part of Botswana, and drains most of the southern half of Namibia.
Alluvial Diamonds
In 1867, the first diamond discovered in South Africa, the Eureka Diamond, was found near Hopetown on the Orange River/Senqu River. Two years later, a much larger diamond known as the Star of South Africa was found in the same area, causing a diamond rush.
This was soon eclipsed by the diamond rush to mine diamonds directly from Kimberlite at Kimberley in 1871, although alluvial diamonds continued to be found in Orange. Today, several commercial diamond mines operate on the last stretch of the river, as well as the beaches around its mouth. Diamond mines also operate on the middle stretch of the river. Arrival late afternoon+- 17H30.
Overnight at Himeville Guest Lodge.
Day 10: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner-Own Cost!
Depart after breakfast and arrival in Durban, by lunchtime!
END OF LESOTHO TOUR!
Valid Passports are Essential!
Included:
All Accommodations:
4x4 Transport and Guide:
Airport transfers x 2 (Durban):
Mineral Water – 2x bottles a day:
All meals x3- Included:
Excluded:
Personal Expenses & Insurance
All activities are at their own cost.
Entry fees.
All Alcoholic and Soft Drinks
General Information - Lesotho Overland Tours
Every guest on tour is entering a rural and unspoiled African terrain. Therefore it is necessary to travel with a flexible and tolerant 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.
There are no toilet facilities on route or very seldom.
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.