Tsehlanyane National Park is in Lesotho making the remaining part of the famous Maloti/Drankensberg Transfrontier Park that stretches across the border of Lesotho and South Africa on the Drakensburg Mountains.

The rivers in the park such as Tsehlanyane and the Holomo flow graciously in the summer and spring months creating spectacular waterfalls over rocks and swimming pools but the entire river system freezes during the winter. The valley of the pools, a small village on the foothills of the mountain has more than 16 deep pools stretching 5km across. A spectacular waterfall known as Lesaloto is also only a 4 hour return hike from the lodge.

Tsehlanyane National Park has an altitude ranging from 1940 to 3112 metres with more than 560sq km of the rugged mountain peaks. Other parts of the park are indigenous woodlands such as Che-che woodland and berg bamboo which grows on the banks of the rivers. The Berg Bamboo is traditionally important to the Basotho people living in Lesotho. There are an estimated 220 exotic species in the high altitude zone some of them not seen anywhere in the world. The diversity of habitat types is exceptionally high as compared to other altitude parks and reserves in the world.

Access

The park is located in the Maluti Mountains at the foot of the Holomo Pass and only about 45 minutes on a good road from the South African border post of Caledonspoort. The road is 32km on A1 road-5km south west if Butha Buthe. This route passes through the village of Khabo and over the Hlotse river bridge and finally reaching the park gate

By air, South Africa flights are available at Johannesburg airport to Clares, a town near Caledonspoort. A cab or private means can be hired for the drive from Clarens to Caledonspoort and then to the park. The flight from South Africa to Clarens is only 4 hours while the drive to Caledonspoort is 15 minutes.

Mammals

More than 24 species of mammals are recorded in the park and they include grey rhebuck, African wild cat, black-backed jackal, porcupine, caracal, baboon, striped pole cat and rock hyrax, ice rat, the clawless otter and others. Since the park is on high altitude, it is home to fewer species of birds many visiting the park in the spring time.

Other attractions in the park include hiking to the rocks, caves, hanging cliffs and visiting the diamond mines of Kao near the park gate. The rivers are clear in the summer while the pristine pools give an amazing swimming experience

There is a lodge in the park near the park gate for overnight accommodation. Other options of overnight are found in the villages below such as Khabo.

Lesotho is a small landlocked country, entirely bordered by the vast South Africa set in the famous Kingdom of the sky, as it is famously referred to. The Maluti mountains are the prime attractions in Lesotho Holidays, its highest peak called Thabana Ntlenyana at some 11,000 m above sea level. the terrain is gifted with volcanic soils and with foot hills extending further into the eastern border, forming the Drakensburg Mountain ranges of South Africa. Horseback trekking is the best way to experience these mountain ranges, visit the splendid grasslands at the foot, visiting the Basotho communities and the Maletsunyane Falls plunging from the central highlands.Lesotho is surely a land loaded with surprises all-around every place.

Lesotho Holiday attractions

Hlotse also called Leribe is a small colorful town in Lesotho buzzing with several activities and shopping for a variety of locally made goods and handicrafts. Many of these items are unique expressions of the people’s lifestyle, customs and traditions.

Quthing is a former colonial town/fort that is completely different any other you have ever been to in the world. The horizon is beautiful with rocky outcrops and caves many with several art works and paintings curved by the previous inhabitants many years back. To this date, tourists are allowed to visit these sights, take pictures and enjoy the different embrace the beauty of Lesotho, most noticeable for the dinosaur’s foot prints and Masitise cave house museum.

Unlike other capital cities, Maseru is a casual town, one of the largest cities in Lesotho with an international airport. On arrival, take a guided tour to the neighborhood either on foot or by car and visit the local museum and the people that work and live in this city. People clad in the famous Basotho Blankets fill the streets on their way to the markets and offices every day.

Sehlabathebe National Park is located in the central eastern region of Lesotho not far away from Maseru but you’ll need a 4WD because the terrain is rough and fairly inaccessible. It however remains a perfect place for hiking and Lesotho safari with its scenic mountain ranges. Sani Pass is another remarkable destination, north of Sehlabathebe in the eastern border of Lesotho and is particularly good for mountain biking and driving.

The breathtaking road winds deep into South Africa through Drakensburg National Park, linking the two magnificent country side game parks. Another interesting sight in central Lesotho is Maletsunyane Falls, plunging into a single drop at 192m forming a spectacular smoke filled water pool below.

The weather in Lesotho depends on its high altitude; the dry months are from October to April with average temperature of up to 30 °C in the low lying lands and is cool for the high altitudes at 18°C. January and February the peak dry months. May to September is the rainy season with excellent skiing conditions, average temperatures of 20°C for the low lands and -18°C in the highland ranges. Now you know the best time to schedule your safari and tours to Lesotho!

Lesotho is called the kingdom in the sky because of the rugged terrain of the Drakensburg and table mountains that extend through it borders with South Africa. Your Lesotho Holidays will include hiking to the great mountains, visiting Maseru the capital city, Katse Power dam, Maletsusunyane Falls, and many other interesting places.

Lesotho flights

If you are travelling to Lesotho by air, there are no direct flights from Europe or America. You have to connect to South Africa via Tambo International Airport Johannesburg or to Cape Town for direct flights to Moshoeshoe International Airport located in the capital city Maseru.

South African Airways operates regular flights to Maseru. These flights to Lesotho take off from the South African city of Johannesburg twice every day.  Alternatively you can travel by road using taxi, bus or hired vehicles from South Africa, jus tin case you are looking forward to adventurous country trips like from Cape Town to Swaziland and then Lesotho. Airlink also has flights to Lesotho

Although there is no much traffic to Lesotho, you ought to book your Lesotho flights through a travel site online or through Lesotho Travel and tour operators

LESOTHO SAFARI

Like Morocco and Swaziland, Lesotho is one of only 3 remaining intact kingdoms in Africa and is known as the kingdom in the sky since it is tucked within massive mountain ranges. Lesotho is totally bordered by South Africa and several majestic snow capped mountains.

Maseru Lesotho is the capital city and is the main town bustling with activity, business and travel. You’ll find plenty of accommodation like from Lesotho Sun hotel with affordable accommodation.

Lesotho safari and tours is in most cases an add-on African safari destination on any south Africa safari itinerary

Lesotho tours

The people of Lesotho called Basotho are one of the friendliest people you’ll meet on your Africa safari. The Basotho are skilled craftsmen often clad in the famous Basotho blanket. They are the only African people to adapt to a climate that is often below freezing and snow falls in the mountains at any time of the year and in the lowlands from May to August. Many of the men wear beautiful multi colored traditional blankets & conical basket hats to keep them warm.

The Lesotho plateau spreads the entire western border to a 6,000ft and the highlands to the east rising to 7,00ft. The rolling foot hills are rich volcanic soils separating the low highlands and the mountains that form part of Maluti Mountains and then the Drakensburg Mountains in the east. Semonkong and Malealea are also rugged mountains offering breathtaking views of the traditional Basotho Villages at the base.

Sehlabathebe National Park is Lesotho’s only national park occupying 6500 ha in the south eastern foothills of the protected area of the Drakensburg. Situated on a high plateau, scattered with small lakes, the Park offers fabulous views of the Drakensberg Mountains and Natal. The Park is home to abundant bird life, eland, reedbuck, wildebeest, baboon and oribi. It is more frequently visited for its scenery than for its game viewing.

Birding is also another activity to enjoy on Lesotho safaris with rare sightings of the bearded vulture, wattle crane and many other birds. Fishing is good on Tsoelinkana River and the lake.

Lesotho travel

Lesotho travel is good in the summer months of November to March when the temperature is quite warm between 18ºC and 30ºC. The rains appear October to April with heavy thunderstorms from May to September. Getting around is reasonably easy with Hired cars will get you most places. Hiking or pony trekking from village to village is the best ways of visiting Lesotho.

Lesotho hotels and accommodation

Sehlabathebe Lodge, which is the only accommodation Sehlabathebe park with a large self-catering house enough for max. 12 people, support staff and clean accommodation. Malealea lodge is located in the west part of Lesotho and gives you excellent facilities and closer interactions with Basotho people living nearby.