last edited Dec 11, 2019
What to See in Lesotho
Contributionsversion #1created Dec 11, 2019Report this pageLatest contributions in this guideContributors to this guide
Location Map of Lesotho
Lesotho
Open the interactive map
UNESCO World Heritage Sites
Lesotho has one site inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list. This site is actually shared with South Africa:
Maloti-Drakensberg Park (2000)
Formed by the merger of a park in Lesotho (Sehlabathebe) and one in South Africa (uKhahlamba Drakensberg), the site offers breathtaking landscapes, a variety of outdoor sports activities, and numerous petroglyphs created by local populations. The entire area is a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Formed by the merger of a park in Lesotho (Sehlabathebe) and one in South Africa (uKhahlamba Drakensberg), the site offers breathtaking landscapes, a variety of outdoor sports activities, and numerous petroglyphs created by local populations. The entire area is a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Cities and Cultural Heritage
Afri-Ski
Located at over 3,000 m above sea level in the north of the Maloti Mountains, this is the only ski resort in Lesotho for a primarily South African clientele.
Located at over 3,000 m above sea level in the north of the Maloti Mountains, this is the only ski resort in Lesotho for a primarily South African clientele.
Leribe
The town, also known as Hlotse, is a key hub for trade and crafts. It is located on the northern border with South Africa.
The town, also known as Hlotse, is a key hub for trade and crafts. It is located on the northern border with South Africa.
Maseru
Despite a few (very rare) historic buildings, the capital remains primarily a base for exploring the rest of the country.
Despite a few (very rare) historic buildings, the capital remains primarily a base for exploring the rest of the country.
Mokhotlong
This town in the northeast is a base or stopover for exploring the nearby Maloti mountains, where you can go climbing, hike on foot or horseback, raft, fish, or observe local birds and wildlife. The town is also home to the "Letseng diamond mine," which you can partly visit.
This town in the northeast is a base or stopover for exploring the nearby Maloti mountains, where you can go climbing, hike on foot or horseback, raft, fish, or observe local birds and wildlife. The town is also home to the "Letseng diamond mine," which you can partly visit.
Morija
This town in the west has an interesting history museum. You can hike in the surrounding area and also see dinosaur footprints, as you can in Moyeni, another village in the region.
This town in the west has an interesting history museum. You can hike in the surrounding area and also see dinosaur footprints, as you can in Moyeni, another village in the region.
Qacha's Nek
At 2,000 metres above sea level, this small town is one of two mountain crossing points (along with Sani Pass) between Lesotho and South Africa. You can visit a vivarium and see numerous petroglyphs in the surrounding area.
At 2,000 metres above sea level, this small town is one of two mountain crossing points (along with Sani Pass) between Lesotho and South Africa. You can visit a vivarium and see numerous petroglyphs in the surrounding area.
Quthing
Explore the many petroglyphs created by the Bushmen populations around this town, also known as Moyeni.
Explore the many petroglyphs created by the Bushmen populations around this town, also known as Moyeni.
Teyateyaneng
About forty kilometres from Maseru, the town is known for its market and its commerce and craft activities. Many petroglyphs can be seen all around.
About forty kilometres from Maseru, the town is known for its market and its commerce and craft activities. Many petroglyphs can be seen all around.
Thaba Bosiu
On this high plateau near the capital, a few (rare) remains of the fortified camp built by King Moeshoeshoe in the 19th century still stand.
On this high plateau near the capital, a few (rare) remains of the fortified camp built by King Moeshoeshoe in the 19th century still stand.
Natural Heritage
Maletsunyane Falls
Near the village of Semonkong, you can see these 200-metre-high falls, among the most spectacular in Africa.
Near the village of Semonkong, you can see these 200-metre-high falls, among the most spectacular in Africa.
Sani Pass
This high-altitude pass is one of two mountain crossing points (along with Qacha's Nek) between Lesotho and South Africa. Known for being difficult and dangerous, the road nonetheless offers stunning landscapes.
This high-altitude pass is one of two mountain crossing points (along with Qacha's Nek) between Lesotho and South Africa. Known for being difficult and dangerous, the road nonetheless offers stunning landscapes.
Motlejoeng Caves
These are caves located in the western part of Lesotho, once used for rituals by the local populations.
These are caves located in the western part of Lesotho, once used for rituals by the local populations.
Maloti Mountains
This high mountain range, around Mokhotlong, extends into South Africa and includes several parks, such as the UNESCO-listed Maloti-Drakensberg Park. Not always easy to access, the area offers stunning landscapes, opportunities for climbing, rafting, skiing (at Afri-Ski), fishing, and especially hiking on foot or horseback. You can also observe local wildlife and numerous petroglyphs.
This high mountain range, around Mokhotlong, extends into South Africa and includes several parks, such as the UNESCO-listed Maloti-Drakensberg Park. Not always easy to access, the area offers stunning landscapes, opportunities for climbing, rafting, skiing (at Afri-Ski), fishing, and especially hiking on foot or horseback. You can also observe local wildlife and numerous petroglyphs.
Maloti-Drakensberg Park
Formed by the merger of a park in Lesotho (Sehlabathebe) and one in South Africa (uKhahlamba Drakensberg), the site offers breathtaking landscapes, a variety of outdoor sports activities, and numerous petroglyphs created by local populations. The entire area is a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Formed by the merger of a park in Lesotho (Sehlabathebe) and one in South Africa (uKhahlamba Drakensberg), the site offers breathtaking landscapes, a variety of outdoor sports activities, and numerous petroglyphs created by local populations. The entire area is a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Sehlabathebe National Park
This hard-to-reach park in the southeast of Lesotho has been part of the Maloti-Drakensberg Park since its merger with South Africa’s uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park. It offers the full range of outdoor activities these mountains are known for.
This hard-to-reach park in the southeast of Lesotho has been part of the Maloti-Drakensberg Park since its merger with South Africa’s uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park. It offers the full range of outdoor activities these mountains are known for.
Ts'ehlanyane National Park
The country's largest park, also located in the Maloti Mountains, offering excellent trekking opportunities in a stunning natural setting.
The country's largest park, also located in the Maloti Mountains, offering excellent trekking opportunities in a stunning natural setting.
Bokong Nature Reserve
This reserve in the Maloti Mountains is highly popular for its hiking and horseback treks. Amid stunning scenery, the Lepaquoa waterfalls—which freeze in winter—are the main attraction.
This reserve in the Maloti Mountains is highly popular for its hiking and horseback treks. Amid stunning scenery, the Lepaquoa waterfalls—which freeze in winter—are the main attraction.
Recommended
Maloti Mountains
★★★ This high mountain range, around Mokhotlong, extends into South Africa and includes several parks, such as the UNESCO-listed…
Maloti-Drakensberg Park
★★★ Formed by the merger of a park in Lesotho (Sehlabathebe) and one in South Africa (uKhahlamba Drakensberg), the site offers breathtaking…
Worth a look / Other
Maletsunyane Falls
★★ Near the village of Semonkong, you can see these 200-metre-high falls, among the most spectacular in Africa.
Sani Pass
★★ This high-altitude pass is one of two mountain crossing points (along with Qacha's Nek) between Lesotho and South Africa. Known for being…
Sehlabathebe National Park
★★ This hard-to-reach park in the southeast of Lesotho has been part of the Maloti-Drakensberg Park since its merger with South Africa’s…
Ts'ehlanyane National Park
★★ The country's largest park, also located in the Maloti Mountains, offering excellent trekking opportunities in a stunning natural setting.
Bokong Nature Reserve
★★ This reserve in the Maloti Mountains is highly popular for its hiking and horseback treks. Amid stunning scenery, the Lepaquoa…
Afri-Ski
★ Located at over 3,000 m above sea level in the north of the Maloti Mountains, this is the only ski resort in Lesotho for a primarily South…
Katse Dam
★ An impressive structure in a narrow valley at the heart of the country.
Motlejoeng Caves
★ These are caves located in the western part of Lesotho, once used for rituals by the local populations.
Leribe
★ The town, also known as Hlotse, is a key hub for trade and crafts. It is located on the northern border with South Africa.
Maseru
★ Despite a few (very rare) historic buildings, the capital remains primarily a base for exploring the rest of the country.
Mokhotlong
★ This town in the northeast is a base or stopover for exploring the nearby Maloti mountains, where you can go climbing, hike on foot or…
Morija
★ This town in the west has an interesting history museum. You can hike in the surrounding area and also see dinosaur footprints, as you can…
Qacha's Nek
★ At 2,000 metres above sea level, this small town is one of two mountain crossing points (along with Sani Pass) between Lesotho and South…
Quthing
★ Explore the many petroglyphs created by the Bushmen populations around this town, also known as Moyeni.
Teyateyaneng
★ About forty kilometres from Maseru, the town is known for its market and its commerce and craft activities. Many petroglyphs can be seen…
Thaba Bosiu
★ On this high plateau near the capital, a few (rare) remains of the fortified camp built by King Moeshoeshoe in the 19th century still stand.