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| Duration: | 3 Day(s) - 2 Night(s) |
| Tour Category: | Adventure Tours |
Lesotho Overland Tour-2 Nights/ 3 Days
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 320,000.
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.
Day 1: Lunch and Dinner
Depart from Durban at 06H00 and travel to Underberg by 09H00 and travel through the small town of Swartburg. Enjoy traveling through the picturesque farmlands of East Griqualand with traditionally decorated huts along the route. A scenic drive through bushy landscape, small forests, and farmland dotted with picturesque villages.
Passing through Matatiele in the Eastern Cape, bordering on Kwa Zulu Natal before entering 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 on Quthing District in the southwest, Mohale's Hoek District in the west, and Thaba-Tseka District in the northern direction.
Entering Lesotho and 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.
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.
At 2.080m stop at the “Christ the King” viewpoint with a beautiful view into the valley below and the 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 to Semonkong, “the Place of Smoke”. Lunch at Semonkong Lodge.After lunch viewing the spectacular Maletsunyane Waterfall. Maletsunyane Falls is a single cataract on a tributary of the Orange River in Lesotho, 75 miles (121 km).
Overnight: Semonkong Lodge.
Day2: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.
Depart after breakfast and travel towards the Capital Maseru and the airport. Own cost is to view the Maletsunyane falls by horseback-2 hours Pony ride+- USD 30pp?
View stop at 2.260m before we reach the summit of the Makheka’s Pass with 2.860m. Panoramic views to 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.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. Dinner at the lodge.
Overnight: Malealea Lodge.
Day 3: Breakfast.
Depart for Maseru airport.
Tour Ends!
The cost is for a minimum of 2 people, at a per person rate!
Valid Passports Essential
Please advise your Nationality, as Lesotho has Visas restrictions on certain countries.
This is True, unspoiled Africa –at its Best!
