Fishing and Birding

Lesotho offers so much for the angler. Migrating yellowfish leap up waterfalls up to 2 metres in height to reach their spawning grounds, while barbel can be found in the lowland rivers. Many of our rivers and dams are teeming with trout, and the most accessible sites include:

Butha-Buthe

The Malibamat’so 2 km below the Oxbow Lodge. The confluence of Ts’ehlanyane and Tlholohatsi Rivers

Mokhotlong

De Beers Dam (an additional permit is required for private waters)
Khubelu River downstream from Metebong ea Lelingoana
Soloane, near the disused mine at Lets’eng-laTerai Mokhotlong River upstream at Mateanong and Sanqebethu

Qacha’s Nek

Sehlabathebe Park — Tsoelikane River downstream from the falls
Sehlabathebe Lodge — Park Ponds
Leqooa River (4 hours pony trek from the lodge)

Maseru

Makhaleng River (2 km below Molimo-Nthuse Lodge)
Senqunyane River upstream from Marakabei Lodge

Thaba- Tseka

Thaba-Tseka main dam, near the Pony Breeding Centre

Semonkong

Wild trout fishing, both rainbow & brown are possible on the Maletsunyane river, with the best spots upstream of Fraser's Semonkong Lodge & at the bottom of the waterfall.  Beat a 2.9kg brown trout!  Last stocked in approx: 1976 - no guaranteed catch but definitely well worth it when you do!

Fishing Regulations

-Closed season for trout fishing is between 1st June and 31st August.
-Fishing tackle for trout: only rod and line and artificial non-spinning flies may be used. Landing net and gaff are not permitted.
-Bag limit for trout: twelve trout over 10 inches in length. Other trout must be returned to the water.

Birding

The birdlife attracts most lovers of wildlife to the Kingdom. Although there are less than 300 different species, many are montane rarities — the Orange-breasted Rockjumper, the Sentinel Rock-thrush and the Drakensberg Siskin — while others are downright spectacular.

The Maluti and Lesotho Drakensberg are said to be amongst the finest places in the world to watch Bearded Vultures and Black Eagle.
Letsie Lake and other wetlands provide an excellent habitat for waterbirds, but the glory of Lesotho is the Bald Ibis, which gives Mokhotlong its name. Exceptionally rare elsewhere in the world —Lesotho is its last stronghold — it is a wonderful prize for the photographer. There is a colony of Bald Ibis nesting in the cliffs in front of Fraser's Semonkong Lodge.