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Lesotho Heritage Tour

Price Per Person

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USD 620
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Day 1: Depending on flight arrival! Might have to include Thaba Bosiu Only! 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 . .
Country: Lesotho
City: Thaba-bosiu
Duration: 4 Day(s) - 3 Night(s)
Tour Category: 4x4 Adventures
Departure Date: Thu 01 Jan '99
Package Itinerary

Day 1: Depending on flight arrival! Might have to include Thaba Bosiu Only! 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 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 we will be given a guided tour of the caves and told something about the history and culture of the people.

This is the burial site of the Kings graves. Thaba Bosiu is a sandstone plateau with an area of approximately 2 km2 and a height of 1,804 meters above sea level.

It is located between the Orange and Caledon Rivers in the Maseru District of Lesotho, 24 km east of the country's capital Maseru. In the early 19th century, the Basotho chief Moshoeshoe I established a stronghold on the plateau to act as a refuge for his people during a war with the Ndebele people.

At an elevation of nearly 120 meters above the surrounding area, the plateau formed a natural fortress to gather the Basotho people in times of danger. The plateau's large area meant it could hold enough livestock and provisions to support the people during a lengthy siege.

The word Thaba means mountain in the Sesotho language and Bosiu means 'at night'. The name mountain of the night echoed the local belief that the mountain grew during the night and shrunk during the day, leaving enemies who tried scaling it during the night still stranded on the cliffs and vulnerable to attack the next morning.

Thaba Bosiu also acted as Moshoeshoe's headquarters during the various Basuto Wars. During the first Free State–Basotho War against the Orange Free State in 1858, the Free State's commandoes tried assaulting the stronghold but met with little success During the third war against the Free State in 1868, Thaba Bosiu was the only stronghold in Basutoland that wasn't stormed by the Free State forces.

During the time the stronghold remained manned, it was never taken by the enemy When Moshoeshoe died in 1870, he was buried on Thaba Bosiu.

The settlement on Thaba Bosiu has since been abandoned, and only ruins and the graves of various Basotho chiefs remain. The plateau is currently a national monument and is often visited by tourists.

Overnight: Botleng Guest House.

Day 2: All Meals-Own Cost!

Depart after breakfast and do a Maseru orientation tour visit the information and curio center and view Tapestries. being made! For those who are interested in stamps, we can stop at the Post Office in Maseru and buy stamps! Proceed along winding, ascending 2.750 m high Thaba Putswa range of mountains, which dominates the range in the north.

On 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 found 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, as 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 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 Aloes 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 with 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.

Activities Available for Own Account :

1 Horse riding to the Maletsunyane Waterfall - 2-hour ride.

2. Hiking to the Maletsunyane Waterfall - 3 hours.

3. Mountain Biking to the Maletsunyane Waterfall -2 hours.

4. After lunch a Donkey ride can be undertaken, visiting Semonkong Village with the local guide - 2-3 hours.

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 07H00 at the lodge, departure 08h00. Travel via Moitsupeli, turning left towards Koro-Koro. A scenic drive through 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 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. Lunch at Lodge. After lunch, there are various options.

Own Cost!

1. Hiking to Echo Caves, which has 2 x San Rock Art sites. Duration is 3 hours return!

2. Horse riding to Boitsela Waterfall. Duration is 3 hours!

Hiking down to Echo Caves, visiting a Basotho rural village, and interacting with the local people, along the way! A bit treacherous footing –Please be very Careful, while descending the single track!

Horse riding to the Boitsela Waterfall and a 10 to 15-minute walk down to the River basin, to view the waterfall. A 15-minute return to the horses.

Overnight: Malealea Lodge.

Day 4: All Meals-Own Cost!

Depending on departure time!

Depart Malealea Lodge after breakfast, for Maseru airport. The tour will finish off by visiting Morija, named after the biblical Mt. Moriah. Morija has 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 ethnographic and historical collections together with pathological 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.

END OF TOUR!

Cost is based on a minimum of 2 people!

If the number of clients decreases, the cost will be adjusted accordingly!

Valid Passports Essential

Please advise your Nationality, as Lesotho has Visas restrictions on certain countries.

Included:

Accommodation
Entry Fees
Mineral Water
Transport in 4x4 vehicles
Driver/Guide Fees
Airport transfers

Excluded:

All drinks
Personal expenses & Activities
Insurances
All meals-own cost - Lunch, and Dinners
Tips to guide

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 at 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 hot water supply.

This is True, unspoiled Africa –at its Best!

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