Anastasia Smith
Lesotho is blessed with many natural and human resources. Tourist attractions abound in Lesotho, ranging from natural crowd-pleasers like cascading waterfalls to man-made monuments like luxury hotels. Get ready to explore these multifaceted attractions that await in this 'The Mountain Kingdom'.
Image exploring 56-square-kilometers of rugged wilderness nestled in the southern Maluti Mountains. That is Ts’ehlanyane National Park for you. It is one of the two national parks which exist in Lesotho just 150km northeast of Maseru. Equipped with awesome vistas and trails that lead to serene waterfalls and unchartered caves, the park is the habitation of many endemic flora and fauna. Bearded vultures, baboons, and caracals are especially sought-after by travellers. Safari rides, hiking and horseback are on offer.
Shrouded in the majestic mountains lies Semonkong, a little-known village enchasing the culture and traditions of the Basothos - the South Sotho people. Experience the beauty of Africa’s ancient civilization amid the authentic bamboo thatched huts. The main attraction here is the misty 192-metre-high Maletsunyane Falls which descend from a ledge of Triassic-Jurassic basalt, creating a resounding echo once it hits the base.
Erected in the Lesotho Highlands, Katse Dam is one of the most magnificent engineering feats in the nation. The dam is built across the Malibamatso River, in a gorge. It is a site to behold indeed as it is flanked by greenery and surging mountain tops. This dam was completed in 1997 and is Africa’s second-largest double-curvature arch dam, second only to Ethiopia’s Tekezé Dam. Visit this site for bird watching and to check out the stunning foliage. Photo opportunities too are on the cards.
Are you in the mood to try something truly unique? Try Ha Kome cave houses. These remarkable mud lodgings lie secluded within pink-and-orange-hued rock faces. Found in the Berea region, these inhabited dwellings have become one of the major tourist attractions in the country. It has been recorded that the caves were built by Chief Teleka of The Basia(cat) Clan in the initial stages of the 1900s. The structures are built to protect the inhabitants from man-eaters and the Lifaqane Wars. Slightly washed-out San paintings can be seen on the walls of the caves. Visitors can glean more insight into the history of these extraordinary creations via the Ha Kome Visitors Centre.
Welcome to the metropolis and largest city of Lesotho. Be it a holiday, some family time or even a business trip, Maseru has got what it takes to keep you entertained. The best crowd-puller in the city is probably Basotho Hat, a shopping complex which, as the name suggests, resembles the customary Basotho hat known as a Mokhoboro an ancient headgear of Lesotho. This has become the emblem of Lesotho and is even projected in the country’s national flag. Maseru is known for some of the best hotels in Lesotho. Overlooking the capital city is Avani Lesotho Hotel & Casino, one of the country’s most highly-rated tourist accommodations.
