Like Morocco and Swaziland, Lesotho is one of only 3 remaining kingdoms in Africa; additionally it is one of only three countries in the world that is completely surrounded by another country (the other two are The Vatican & The Republic of San Marino).
THE KINGDOM OF LESOTHO

Like Morocco and Swaziland, Lesotho is one of only 3 remaining kingdoms in Africa; additionally it is one of only three countries in the world that is completely surrounded by another country (the other two are The Vatican & The Republic of San Marino).

The people of Lesotho (pronounced Lesutu) are known collectively as Basotho and an individual is called Mosotho. 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 multicoloured traditional blankets & conical basket hats to keep them warm.

King Moshoeshoe I reigned from 1823 to 1870 and his Kingdom was strong enough to keep the Zulu nation at the borders. In 1868 Lesotho asked to become a British protectorate to gain assistance in halting the encroachment of its lands by the Orange Free State (South Africa). It re-established its independence in 1966.

Today Lesotho has the highest literacy rate in Africa. The country’s earnings come from agriculture, the exportation of labour to South Africa, light industry and tourism. In the future it hopes to make much needed income selling its water to South Africa, as its mountains are the most important watershed in the region.

Sehlabathebe National Park, small by African standards at only 67 sq kms, is Lesotho’s premier wildlife reserve. 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.