Lesotho Heritage Tour

Day 1: Depending on Flight Arrival – Possible Thaba Bosiu Visit (All Meals Own Cost)

Pick up at Maseru Airport and depart for Ha Kome Caves, situated near Teya-Teyaneng (TY).

At Ha Kome, there is a remarkable village where cave dwellings have been carved beneath 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 continue to 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 a walk of about 20 minutes to reach the Ha Kome Visitors Centre, where we will be given a guided tour of the caves and learn about the history and culture of the people.

We may also visit Thaba Bosiu, the burial site of the kings. Thaba Bosiu is a sandstone plateau covering approximately 2 km² and rising 1,804 metres above sea level.

It lies between the Orange and Caledon Rivers in the Maseru District of Lesotho, about 24 km east of the capital. In the early 19th century, the Basotho chief Moshoeshoe I established a stronghold on the plateau to serve as a refuge for his people during conflict with the Ndebele.

At nearly 120 metres above the surrounding area, the plateau formed a natural fortress. Its large size allowed enough livestock and provisions to be stored to sustain the population during lengthy sieges.

The word Thaba means “mountain” in Sesotho, and Bosiu means “at night.” The name “Mountain of the Night” comes from the belief that the mountain grew at night and shrank during the day, leaving enemies stranded on the cliffs and vulnerable to attack.

Thaba Bosiu also served as Moshoeshoe’s headquarters during the Basotho Wars. During the first Free State–Basotho War in 1858, Orange Free State forces attempted to attack but met little success. During the third war in 1868, Thaba Bosiu was the only stronghold in Basutoland that was never stormed.

The stronghold was never taken by enemies. When Moshoeshoe died in 1870, he was buried there.

Today, the settlement has been abandoned, leaving ruins and royal graves. The plateau is now a national monument and a popular tourist site.

Overnight: Botleng Guest House

Day 2: Maseru Orientation & Journey to Semonkong (All Meals Own Cost)

Depart after breakfast for a Maseru orientation tour. Visit the information and curio centre and observe tapestries being made. For stamp collectors, we can stop at the Maseru Post Office.

Proceed along the winding road ascending the 2,750-metre Thaba Putswa mountain range, which dominates the northern landscape.

On the tar road, we drive past mountains of white sandstone toward Roma. This town is the principal centre of the Roman Catholic Church in Lesotho and has been home to the National University of Lesotho since 1964. Roma was founded in 1862 when King Moshoeshoe granted land to Bishop Allard and Father Gérard.

Continue toward Semonkong, known as “The Place of Smoke,” home to the spectacular Maletsunyane Falls, a 204-metre single-drop waterfall — one of the highest in Africa.

The journey takes us through rugged mountains, bush landscapes, forests, and picturesque villages. Along the road, some plants are used by locals for medicinal purposes, such as the “Wild Aloes Bush” for asthma and flu, and the “Chi-Chi Bush” for stomach ailments. We descend to a viewpoint at 1,860 metres overlooking a dramatic valley.

Travel continues over the Thaba Putswa Range via Makheka’s Pass and across the basalt highlands to Semonkong.

A scenic stop is made at 2,260 metres before reaching Makheka’s Pass summit at 2,860 metres. The surrounding grasslands are dotted with yellow Euryops flowers, white Arum lilies, and bright red and yellow Red-Hot Pokers.

Basotho ponies will be available for those wishing to trek to the falls. Guests may also hike to the bottom, where swimming and trout fishing are possible.

Lunch at Semonkong Lodge. After lunch, we proceed to view the Maletsunyane Falls.

Activities available (own cost):

Horse riding to Maletsunyane Falls – approx. 2 hours

Hiking to the waterfall – approx. 3 hours

Mountain biking to the waterfall – approx. 2 hours

Donkey ride to Semonkong Village with a local guide – 2–3 hours

The falls create a mist resembling smoke as the water plunges into a deep gorge — giving Semonkong its name.

Landlocked by South Africa, Lesotho has the highest altitude of any country in the world. Nestled in the Maluti Mountains, Semonkong Lodge sits on the banks of the Maletsunyane River and offers rustic comfort with electricity, hot showers, fireplaces, and no telephone distractions.

The Duck and Donkey Tavern and Restaurant serves affordable meals and caters to vegetarians.

The Maletsunyane Abseil is the world’s longest commercially operated single-drop abseil (204 m), recognised by Guinness World Records.

Overnight: Semonkong Lodge

Day 3: Scenic Highlands to Koro-Koro (All Meals Own Cost)

Breakfast at 07:00 and depart at 08:00. Travel via Moitsupeli, turning toward Koro-Koro. The route passes through forests, farmland, and rural villages.

Packed lunch provided. Entering a very rural region allows interaction with local communities.

The destination hosts a well-known pony trekking centre in secluded woodland surrounded by countryside.

Lunch at the lodge. Afternoon options (own cost):

Hike to Echo Caves (two San rock art sites) – approx. 3 hours return

Horse ride to Boitsela Waterfall – approx. 3 hours

The hike includes visiting a Basotho village. The trail is steep in places, so caution is advised.

The horse ride includes a short walk to the river basin to view the waterfall.

Overnight: Malealea Lodge

Day 4: Morija Cultural Visit & Departure (All Meals Own Cost)

After breakfast, depart for Maseru Airport. En route, visit Morija, named after the biblical Mount Moriah. It remains one of Lesotho’s most historic villages and is known for its tree-lined roads.

Hidden among the trees are the historic “mother church,” schools, printing works, hospital, museum, and other institutions established by missionaries.

We visit the Morija Museum, founded in 1956, which preserves archives, ethnographic collections, and heritage projects.

Its collections include missionary records, cultural artefacts, and historical materials used for research, exhibitions, and education. The museum’s foundations come from the Dieterlen and Ellenberger family collections, later expanded with additional donations such as the Chris Van Nispen beadwork collection.

End of Tour