| Lesotho is otherwise known as the Kingdom in | | | | pony; Roma; Morija with its National Museum; and |
| the Sky, because of its high altitude and mountain | | | | Matsieng featuring the Royal Summer Palace |
| peaks, Lesotho offers the traveller a different | | | | (closed to visitors). |
| face of Africa, which is closer to alpine in climate, | | | | Thaba-Bosiu: |
| scenery and vegetation. Invigorating mountain air, | | | | Within easy reach of Maseru, a flat-topped hill |
| spectacular panoramas and a rare birdlife combine | | | | features the substantial remains of the dwellings |
| to attract outdoor enthusiasts from all over the | | | | and villages of King Moshoeshoe I as well as the |
| world. | | | | royal cemetery of Lesotho. |
| Popular ways of exploring the countryside is | | | | Teya-Teyaneng: |
| through hiking, and trekking by 4x4's or on the | | | | A short drive from Maseru, you can find a wide |
| back of ponies. Renowned for their crafts and | | | | variety of souvenirs in this town whose weavers |
| hospitality, the Basotho people offer a warm | | | | and craftsmen sell their wares in the many craft |
| welcome when they say Khotso (peace), at the | | | | centres available; close to the town are some San |
| same time inviting you to experience their tiny, | | | | (Bushmen) rock art. |
| traditional villages and the unspoilt serenity that is | | | | Malealea and surrounds: |
| Lesotho... | | | | The Gate of Paradise is a spectacular pass on the |
| CAPITAL: | | | | road to Malealea with panoramic views of the |
| Maseru | | | | plains dotted with attractive traditional villages, in |
| CLIMATE: | | | | spring alpine flowers alongside the road are in |
| Temperate subtropical. Frost occurs frequently in | | | | flower; an outstanding pony-trekking centre is |
| winter. Most rain occurs Oct-Apr and is usually | | | | available in Malealea and trekking or hiking routes |
| concentrated in fierce thunderstorms. | | | | include a number of waterfalls e.g. the |
| CURRENCY: | | | | Maletsunyane Falls and indigenous alpines such as |
| 1 Lesotho Loti = 100 lisente. South African Rands | | | | the famous Spiral Aloe; nearby Mohale's Hoek is |
| are accepted. Visa, Access/MasterCard and | | | | scenic and at nearby Motlejoeng visitors can |
| Diners Club credit cards have limited acceptance | | | | explore some of the most interesting cannibal |
| and the use of traveller's cheques is limited | | | | caves, which are found throughout Lesotho. |
| outside Maseru. | | | | Dinosaur Trackways: |
| ELECTRICITY: | | | | About 5 miles north of Hlotse, Subeng Stream |
| 220 volts, 50Hz. Plugs are 2- and 3-pin round. | | | | Dinosaur Trackway is one of the best examples |
| HEALTH: | | | | of dinosaur trackways in Lesotho; the footprints |
| A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required | | | | of several different dinosaurs some dating back |
| from travellers coming from infected areas. | | | | to 180-200 million years ago, are preserved in |
| Visitors are also advised to take pre-arrival | | | | sandstone; the Moyeni and Masitise Dinosaur |
| precautions against typhoid, hepatis A and polio. | | | | Trackways feature the footprints of many |
| Other health concerns include minimal medical | | | | different dinosaurs as well as other primitive |
| facilities; unavailability of many medicines; food- | | | | reptiles. |
| and water-borne illnesses, particularly amoebiasis, | | | | Ha Baroana Rock: |
| typhoid fever and cholera; influenza (risk is | | | | Paintings 39km east of Maseru; overhanging rock |
| May-Oct); AIDS; and tetanus. | | | | accessible after crossing a stream featuring a |
| LANGUAGE:: | | | | magnificent gallery of Bushmen paintings. |
| Sesotho and English | | | | Molimo Nthuse and surrounds: |
| PUBLIC HOLIDAYS: | | | | One of the most attractive tourist routes in |
| New Years' Day (1 Jan); Moshoeshoe (11 Mar); | | | | Lesotho, the road to Molimo Nthuse includes a |
| Heroes Day (4 Apr); Good Friday (9 Apr); Easter | | | | series of mountain passes, each offering superb |
| Monday (12 Apr); Labour Day (1 May); King's | | | | vistas of mountain peaks, steep gorges, tumbling |
| Anniversary (17 Jul); Independance Day (4 Oct); | | | | streams and broad valleys; at Molimo Nthuse you |
| Christmas Day (25 Dec) | | | | will find one of the principal pony-trekking centres |
| SHOPPING: | | | | of Lesotho - on offer are treks for a couple of |
| Basotho hat; grass woven items (mats, brooms, | | | | hours or days visiting waterfalls, local villages and |
| baskets); pottery; wool and mohair rugs; | | | | other scenic attractions; travellers can visit the |
| tapestries; textiles; rock painting reproductions; | | | | Maletsunyane Falls on a pony-trekking trail, it's |
| traditional seed, clay, bead and porcupine quill | | | | impressive as the highest single-drop falls in |
| jewellery; silver, gold and ebony items; | | | | southern Africa. |
| copperwork; African chess sets. The Basotho Hat | | | | Katse Dam: |
| Store is a good place to find local crafts. | | | | The centrepiece of the Highlands Water Project, |
| SOCIAL CONVENTIONS: | | | | the huge Katse Dam is spectacular when water |
| Main religions are Christianity and traditional African | | | | levels are at their highest; the surrounding scenery |
| religions - these and the older generation should | | | | is picturesque and activities cater for bird |
| be respected. Normal courtesies and friendliness | | | | watchers and water sport enthusiasts. |
| will be appreciated. Dress is casual, but modest. | | | | Roof of Africa: |
| For business, dress in a lightweight suit and tie and | | | | Scenic Route Via Sani Pass, the gateway to the |
| observe usual formalities, but expect a casual | | | | circuit; the greater part of the route lies in the |
| atmosphere and pace. | | | | Mokhotlong District, where the top of the |
| TIME DIFFERENCE: | | | | Drakensberg Ridge is found; includes |
| GMT +2 | | | | Thabana-Ntlenyana, which at 3482m is the highest |
| TIPPING:: | | | | peak in southern Africa; Sani Pass, Thaba-Tseka, |
| Tipping is recommended at restaurants and hotels. | | | | Katse and Hlotse form an alternative section of |
| TOP TEN ATTRACTIONS DESCRIPTION: | | | | the route where 4x4s are most suited. |
| Maseru and surrounds: | | | | Sehlaba-Thebe National Park: |
| Basotho Hat, the principal handicrafts centre; the | | | | The park comprises 6500 hectares at an average |
| Catholic Cathedral of Our Lady of Victories; the | | | | elevation of 2400m and offers a wealth of birdlife |
| Papal Pavillion; Thorkild Hand Weaving and Moteng | | | | and diverse Cape alpine flora; a small, minnow-like |
| Weavers; Lancer's Gap, for views of the city and | | | | fish (Oreodaimon quathlambae) which was thought |
| Caledon Valley; the Peach Blossom Route, in | | | | to be extinct has been rediscovered in the |
| August explore the nearby orchards by car or on | | | | Tsoelikana River. |