Lesotho is in any other case referred to as the Kingdom within the Sky, due to its excessive altitude and mountain peaks, Lesotho presents the traveller a distinct face of Africa, which is nearer to alpine in local weather, surroundings and vegetation. Invigorating mountain air, spectacular panoramas and a uncommon birdlife mix to draw out of doors fans from all around the world.
Popular methods of exploring the countryside is thru mountain climbing, and trekking by 4×4’s or on the again of ponies. Renowned for his or her crafts and hospitality, the Basotho individuals provide a heat welcome when they are saying Khotso (peace), on the similar time inviting you to expertise their tiny, conventional villages and the unspoilt serenity that’s Lesotho…
CAPITAL:
Maseru
CLIMATE:
Temperate subtropical. Frost happens incessantly in winter. Most rain happens Oct-Apr and is often concentrated in fierce thunderstorms.
CURRENCY:
1 Lesotho Loti = 100 lisente. South African Rands are accepted. Visa, Access/MasterCard and Diners Club bank cards have restricted acceptance and using traveller’s cheques is restricted outdoors Maseru.
ELECTRICITY:
220 volts, 50Hz. Plugs are 2- and 3-pin spherical.
HEALTH:
A yellow fever vaccination certificates is required from travellers coming from contaminated areas. Visitors are additionally suggested to take pre-arrival precautions towards typhoid, hepatis A and polio. Other well being considerations embrace minimal medical amenities; unavailability of many medicines; food- and water-borne diseases, significantly amoebiasis, typhoid fever and cholera; influenza (threat is May-Oct); AIDS; and tetanus.
LANGUAGE::
Sesotho and English
PUBLIC HOLIDAYS:
New Years’ Day (1 Jan); Moshoeshoe (11 Mar); Heroes Day (4 Apr); Good Friday (9 Apr); Easter Monday (12 Apr); Labour Day (1 May); King’s Anniversary (17 Jul); Independance Day (4 Oct); Christmas Day (25 Dec)
SHOPPING:
Basotho hat; grass woven gadgets (mats, brooms, baskets); pottery; wool and mohair rugs; tapestries; textiles; rock portray reproductions; conventional seed, clay, bead and porcupine quill jewelry; silver, gold and ebony gadgets; copperwork; African chess units. The Basotho Hat Store is an efficient place to search out native crafts.
SOCIAL CONVENTIONS:
Main religions are Christianity and conventional African religions – these and the older era needs to be revered. Normal courtesies and friendliness will probably be appreciated. Dress is informal, however modest. For enterprise, costume in a light-weight swimsuit and tie and observe ordinary formalities, however count on an informal environment and tempo.
TIME DIFFERENCE:
GMT +2
TIPPING::
Tipping is really helpful at eating places and inns.
TOP TEN ATTRACTIONS DESCRIPTION:
Maseru and surrounds:
Basotho Hat, the principal handicrafts centre; the Catholic Cathedral of Our Lady of Victories; the Papal Pavillion; Thorkild Hand Weaving and Moteng Weavers; Lancer’s Gap, for views of town and Caledon Valley; the Peach Blossom Route, in August discover the close by orchards by automotive or on pony; Roma; Morija with its National Museum; and Matsieng that includes the Royal Summer Palace (closed to guests).
Thaba-Bosiu:
Within straightforward attain of Maseru, a flat-topped hill options the substantial stays of the dwellings and villages of King Moshoeshoe I in addition to the royal cemetery of Lesotho.
Teya-Teyaneng:
A brief drive from Maseru, you will discover all kinds of souvenirs on this city whose weavers and craftsmen promote their wares within the many craft centres obtainable; near the city are some San (Bushmen) rock artwork.
Malealea and surrounds:
The Gate of Paradise is a spectacular move on the street to Malealea with panoramic views of the plains dotted with enticing conventional villages, in spring alpine flowers alongside the street are in flower; an excellent pony-trekking centre is offered in Malealea and trekking or mountain climbing routes embrace a lot of waterfalls e.g. the Maletsunyane Falls and indigenous alpines such because the well-known Spiral Aloe; close by Mohale’s Hoek is scenic and at close by Motlejoeng guests can discover a number of the most fascinating cannibal caves, that are discovered all through Lesotho.
Dinosaur Trackways:
About 5 miles north of Hlotse, Subeng Stream Dinosaur Trackway is without doubt one of the greatest examples of dinosaur trackways in Lesotho; the footprints of a number of totally different dinosaurs some relationship again to 180-200 million years in the past, are preserved in sandstone; the Moyeni and Masitise Dinosaur Trackways function the footprints of many various dinosaurs in addition to different primitive reptiles.
Ha Baroana Rock:
Paintings 39km east of Maseru; overhanging rock accessible after crossing a stream that includes an impressive gallery of Bushmen work.
Molimo Nthuse and surrounds:
One of essentially the most enticing vacationer routes in Lesotho, the street to Molimo Nthuse features a collection of mountain passes, every providing very good vistas of mountain peaks, steep gorges, tumbling streams and broad valleys; at Molimo Nthuse you’ll find one of many principal pony-trekking centres of Lesotho – on provide are treks for a few hours or days visiting waterfalls, native villages and different scenic points of interest; travellers can go to the Maletsunyane Falls on a pony-trekking path, it is spectacular as the very best single-drop falls in southern Africa.
Katse Dam:
The centrepiece of the Highlands Water Project, the large Katse Dam is spectacular when water ranges are at their highest; the encircling surroundings is picturesque and actions cater for hen watchers and water sport fans.
Roof of Africa:
Scenic Route Via Sani Pass, the gateway to the circuit; the larger a part of the route lies within the Mokhotlong District, the place the highest of the Drakensberg Ridge is discovered; contains Thabana-Ntlenyana, which at 3482m is the very best peak in southern Africa; Sani Pass, Thaba-Tseka, Katse and Hlotse kind an alternate part of the route the place 4x4s are most suited.
Sehlaba-Thebe National Park:
The park contains 6500 hectares at a mean elevation of 2400m and presents a wealth of birdlife and numerous Cape alpine flora; a small, minnow-like fish (Oreodaimon quathlambae) which was regarded as extinct has been rediscovered within the Tsoelikana River.
