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Duration: | 3 Day(s) - 2 Night(s) |
Tour Category: | Lesotho Overland Excursion |
Lesotho Overland -2 Nights /3 Days
Day 1: All Meals-Own Cost! (Depending on Flight Arrival).
Departure from Maseru airport and viewing of Thaba Bosiu and proceed along winding, to 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 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 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 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 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 trek to Maletsunyane Falls along the rugged terrain.
Lunch at Semonkong Lodge. After lunch we proceed to view the Maletsunyana Called the Place of Smoke, this can be walked or pony trekked for 1.5 hours there and 1.5 hours return 3 Hours round trip and plenty of scenic stops along the way! Own cost!
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 insight.
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.
Overnight at Semonkong Lodge.
Day 2: Breakfast-Included!
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.
Entering the 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—dinner at the lodge.
Overnight: Malealea Lodge.
Day 3: 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 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'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.
Depart for Maseru airport...
End of the Tour!
The cost is for a minimum of 2 people, at a per-person rate!
Valid Passports Essential
Please advise your Nationality, as Lesotho has visa restrictions on certain countries.
This is True, unspoiled Africa –at its Best!