North West Lesotho
This is one of the most popular areas of Lesotho, easily reached from South Africa and a short drive from Maseru, and a great base from which to explore the Maluti Mountains. The best border posts for direct access are Maseru Bridge, Peka Bridge, Maputsoe (Ficksburg Bridge) or Caledonspoort near Butha-Buthe.
Thaba-Bosiu
Lesotho’s great national monument: a flat-topped hill which was used by Moshoeshoe I as his citadel when establishing the nation is within easy reach of Maseru. On top of the hill are the substantial remains of the King’s dwellings and villages, together with the royal cemetery of Lesotho. It is accessed by a good tarred road to a small information centre from where visitors have an easy climb up Rafutho’s Pass (where the Free State Boer commander Louw Wepener was killed in an attack on Moshoeshoe I in 1865) to the summit plateau. Here lie the remains of Moshoeshoe’s village and the views are lovely.
Buses and taxis run to the tourist office at the base of the mountain from the southern bus rank in Maseru. Guides are available at the tourist office
The Craft Centres of Teya-Teyaneng
The pretty town of Teya-Teyaneng is an important centre for local weavers and craftsmen. A short drive from Maseru, this town is an important stop on the way north, or a pleasant excursion from Hlotse and Ficksburg. Close to the town are some San (Bushmen) rock shelters with rock paintings. The principal craft centres — who all welcome visitors to see many of the articles being made as well as buying wonderful souvenirs — include:
Hatooa-Mose-Mosali; Helang Basali Crafts of Lesotho; Letlotlo Handicrafts; Elleloang Weavers; Seeta’s Design Jewellery, all in Teya-Teyaneng, as well as Setsoto Design in Tebetebeng close by.
Leribe Craft Centre
Tsehlanyane National Park
Maliba Lodge
Hlotse — Major Bell’s Tower and Fort
Hlotse is close to the Maputsoe (Ficksburg Bridge) border post, and on the main road through to Caledonspoort. In springtime, this is a wonderful route to see the blossom in the fields against a backdrop of spectacular views of the Maluti Mountains.
The fortifications of Major Bell’s Tower were built by the British at the end of the 1870s and were besieged, but not captured, during the Gun War of 1880 — 81. The Tower is still largely intact. Visitors can see an interesting primitive statue of a European in front of a nearby local administration office. This is a must-see attraction for tourists interested in the history of Southern Africa and the various wars.
At the entrance to Hlotse is a good craft shop, the Leribe Craft Centre.
Subeng Stream Dinosaur Trackway
Lesotho is rich in relics of its prehistoric past, especially of early dinosaurs and of the first primitive mammals to walk the earth. Fascinating for the non-specialist visitor are the many dinosaur trackways — sets of footprints preserved in sandstone. One of our best examples is at Subeng Stream.
About 5 miles north of Hlotse, and easy walking distance from the main Hlotse-Butha-Buthe road, the trackway features the footprints of several different dinosaurs, from the period at the end of the Triassic era, some 180-200 million years ago. These were early ancestors of the creatures that feature in the film Jurassic Park.
Butha-Buthe Plateau
One of the most significant local sites for Basotho, as it played an important part in our cultural heritage, is the flat-topped sandstone plateau that was the site of Moshoeshoe 1’s original mountain fortress up to 1824, before he moved to Thaba-Bosiu.
There are also mysterious caves used by the San (Bushmen) in the area near Qalo and Sekubu, and some more dinosaur footprints.
The town is about 124 km from Maseru, close to the Caledonspoort border post, and the plateau to the east of the town is a delightful picnic stop on the way to Oxbow.
Oxbow
Lesotho is one of the few places in Africa where snow skiing is possible, although the quality of the snow depends of the vagaries of the weather and the large differential between night and daytime temperatures in the winter season, which can cause the snow to melt rapidly. Normally skiing is possible in July and August, and there is accommodation at the New Oxbow Lodge. Even if skiing is not possible, this is a wonderful area for walking and bird watching.
This is the original “Roof of Africa” rally route. It is a quite spectacular journey, going over a number of mountain passes and spending much of the journey at over 3000m. From Butha Buthe, the road goes north for 15km, then at a junction goes east and climbs into the foothills of the Maluti mountains. It ascends the Moteng Pass at 2840m, then drops down into the upper valley of the Malibamatso River. Here, one comes to Oxbow Lodge, an upmarket ski resort. It is possible to free camp near the Lodge and to enjoy stories of Costas the owner, and his great bar over the river.
Afriski
Mokhotlong
Directions to Sani Pass Hotel.
The trip to Sani Pass is 7 Travelling hours and is as follows:
Malealea to Morija – 45minutes
Matsiend Kings Home Village – 10 minutes
Maseru – 30 minutes
Teyateyaneng – 1 hourLeribe 40 – 60 minutes
Botha-Bothe – 1 hour
Oxbow – 1hour
Afriski, Lestseng diamond mine
Mokhotlong
Sani Pass