Top Things to Do in Lesotho: The Southern African Nation on Top of the World

Lesotho is an African country entirely surrendered by South Africa. Lesotho is one of Africa’s three remaining countries with a monarchy. Lesotho is well-known for its high altitude with the lowest point of Lesotho located at a dizzying 1,400 meters above sea level and the tallest point at 3,482 meters above sea level. Lesotho is the only country in the world whose whole area is at 1,400 meters or above. Besides its high-altitude Lesotho has many sightseeing destinations to offer such as these top ten destinations in Lesotho.

1. Ts’ehlanyane National Park (Leribe)

Ts’ehlanyane National Park is the largest national park in Lesotho and it is in the Maluti Mountain Range. The park protects Lesotho’s pristine nature and the habitats of many of Lesotho’s endemic flora and fauna. It offers beautiful scenery and many nature places worth exploring on a sightseeing visit. This national part is special and quite unique also it is one of the few places in Lesotho with forested areas, as due to the high altitudes of Lesotho trees don’t grow in many parts. The road leading up to the is also very pretty, as it meanders along the Hlotse River.

2. Katse Dam (Bokong)

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Katse Dam is a great sightseeing destination in Lesotho. The Dam takes its name after a local landowner who owned a lot of animals. Katse Dam is the tallest dam not only in Lesotho, but in the whole of Africa. The reservoir that built up behind it offers spectacular views with a fantastic mountainous backdrop. It’s a great destination for sightseeing tourists wishing to include some trekking in their holiday to Lesotho. Organized walking and horse tours are available and sightseeing tourists can go camping near the Katse Dam. This sightseeing destination is great for photography and to take beautiful memories of Lesotho back home. Tourists sightseeing the Dam might also wish to visit the nearby Bokong Nature Reserve.

3. Subeng River Dinosaur Footprints (Leribe)

Subeng River Dinosaur Footprints is an impressive site in northern Lesotho where dinosaurs once walked and left many footprints. The site is very close to the right bank of the Subeng River and can be easily accessed by sightseeing tourists from the main road between Hlotse to Butha-Buthe. The site is clearly signposted, so it is hard to miss. Sightseeing tourists will be able to see footprints of at least three different species of dinosaur present at the Subeng River Dinosaur Footprints site. Lesotho even has a dinosaur named after it, the fierce lizard of Lesotho, the omnivorous Lesothosaurus.

4. Thaba-Bosiu National Monument (Maseru)

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Thaba-Bosiu National Monument is a flat-top mountain with an important historic significance for the people of Lesotho. The Basotho nation of Lesotho traces its origin to this place. The name Thaba-Bosiu means “Mountain at Night” and it was named so by Moshoeshoe, a Lesotho leader in 1824. The mountain raises just over 100 meters above the surrounding area and is topped with an impressive rock formation. A legend says that the mountain increases its size at night and then returns to its normal size during the day. Sightseeing tourist to Thaba-Bosiu National Monument can also sightsee the nearby Cultural Village and view San Rock Paintings.

5. Ha Baroana Rock Paintings (Nazareth)

Ha Baroana Rock Paintings is an important archaeological site about 40 kilometers east from Lesotho’s capital city Maseru. The Ha Baroana Rock Paintings are considered the most impressive in Lesotho. The paintings date to about 2000 years ago. They depict dancing people and many animals, such as lions, antelopes, leopards and various birds. The paintings were made by the San Bushmen of Lesotho. The paintings had a shamanic purpose and they marked places which the San people believed to have special energy and significance. We highly recommend sightseeing this historic destination in Lesotho.

6. Maletsunyane Falls (Semonkong)

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Maletsunyane Falls located in a wide gorge, falling a staggering 192 meters are visible from very far away. Maletsunyane Falls although comprising of a single drop and shoot are one of the most spectacular and breath-taking in Lesotho and well-worth sightseeing. Day-long guided trekking tours on ponies are available from Semekong village to Maletsunyane Falls for sightseeing visitors. Nature around the Falls is pristine, and many sightseeing tourists enjoy having a picnic there. Sunsets at Maletsunyane Falls are picture-worthy. For those sightseeing tourists seeking an adrenaline rush while on their holiday in Lesotho it is possible to abseil down the gorge next to the waterfall.

7. Sehlabathebe National Park (Sehlabathebe)

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Sehlabathebe National Park is the first National Park established in Lesotho and it is the second in terms of size. The park was established in 1969. It is an important water source. Visiting this Lesotho park will be a real adventure for sightseeing tourists, as access is by foot, on horseback or on a 4x4 jeep only. The ecosystem in the park is rich and diverse and a lot of Lesotho’s wildlife, including baboons and bearded vultures, inhabits this area. Although the park is in a remote part of Lesotho there is accommodation available for sightseeing tourist, in the recently built lodge. Camping is another option.

8. AfriSki Mountain Resort (Butha-Buthe)

AfriSki Mountain Resort in Lesotho, at altitude of 3222 meters above the sea level, is one of only two ski resorts in the south of the African continent. In the summer this Lesotho resort welcomes tourists interested in mountain biking, hiking or trail running while in winter it’s a great place for skiing, snowboarding and snow-shoeing. There are equipment rental shops at the resort so sightseeing tourists do not need to bring over their own gear to Lesotho. A free Skitude smartphone app with summer and winter trail maps to help sightseeing visitors to plan their trip to this Lesotho attraction is available for Android and Apple via the official website.

9. Gates of Paradise Pass (Malealea)

Gates of Paradise Pass is a scenic road in western Lesotho. There are many ways tourists can go sightseeing here. It is possible to take a drive in a car or to enjoy the beautiful scenery from a saddle of a mountain bike or a pony. Hiking the Gates of Paradise Pass is also highly recommended for sightseeing visitors. Tourists can sleep at Basotho Huts at the Gates of Paradise Pass or at Malealea Lodge in the village. Malealea Lodge is where the sightseeing mountain bike and pony tours take off for the Gates of Paradise Pass in Lesotho.

10. Ha Kome Historical Cave Dwellings (Teyateyaneng)

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Ha Kome Historical Cave Dwellings in Lesotho date to the eighteenth century and have interesting history. The caves are still inhabited by the descendants of the ancient Lesotho clans of Bataung and Basia. The people who constructed the dwellings, used them for shelter during the Lifaqane Wars in Lesotho. The Bataung and Basia people also had to hide from the cannibals prevalent in this area of Lesotho in the eighteenth century. The road to the dwellings is rough and accessible by 4x4 vehicles. Sightseeing tourists are advised to wear sensible hiking shoes.

Conclusion of Things to Do in Lesotho

Lesotho might be off-the-beaten-track, but it is worth a sightseeing visit. There is much to see and do in the mountainous kingdom of Lesotho. Lesotho can offer beautiful national parks, world-class skiing, unique cave dwellings and Lesotho even has its own dinosaur Lesothosaurus. With so much to do and worth sightseeing in Lesotho, why not make it your next holiday destination.