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DISCOVER
LESOTHO: THE KINGDOM IN THE
SKY
By Helen C. Broadus
In conjunction
with the Africa Travel Association's 28th Annual
International Congress, which will take place in
Lusaka & Livingstone, Zambia May 11-16, 2003,
Venue International Professionals, Inc. (VIP) will
be conducting a Familiarization (FAM) Tour to the
Kingdom of Lesotho. The overall purpose of the VIP
FAM Tour to Lesotho is to learn more about this
unique destination in order to successfully market
it to North American clients who would prefer a
wonderful trip to a lesser visited African country.
It should be noted that tourism is Lesotho's
largest foreign exchange earner. VIP will therefore
offer this three day/two night excursion to Lesotho
as a Pre-Tour to the ATA Congress in
Zambia.
Background.
Lesotho is affectionately referred to as the
"Switzerland of Africa" and our FAM Tour will take
place from May 5-7, 2003. Lesotho is also known as
the pristine mountain kingdom of the friendly
Basotho people who take great pride in their rich
cultural heritage. Lesotho's main attractions are
the rugged remoteness of the massive Drakensburg
and Maluti mountain ranges in the central and
eastern part of the country, which provide many
breathtaking views for nature lovers and outdoor
enthusiasts. Our visit to Lesotho will include
refreshing scenery, spectacular waterfalls, crystal
clear mountain streams, a diversity of fine
indigenous handicrafts, and historic Bushmen
paintings which date back to prehistoric periods.
Completely
surrounded by the territory of South Africa,
Lesotho is a small mountainous country that is
primarily a southern African water reservoir with a
population of approximately two million people. The
Capital City of Lesotho is Maseru with an estimated
160,000 inhabitants and the official languages are
English and Sesotho. Lesotho gained its
independence on the 4th of October 1966. The
Kingdom of Lesotho is a multi-party democracy with
King Letsie II, who has no constitutional powers;
he is the cornerstone in the maintenance of
traditional culture and customs.
Culture. The
Basotho people, who make up 95% of the population,
are still guided in their day-to-day living by
traditional customs and beliefs. Their belief in
the power of the ancestral spirits as conduits
between themselves and the forces of good and evil
is central to these beliefs. Traditional diviners
are known to be able to communicate with ancestors
to help combat evil, while herbalists use mixtures
of plants and herbs to doctor sick people. Most of
the population lives in the low-lying areas of the
west, where the majority of the towns are situated,
while villages are scattered around the more remote
parts of Lesotho. Traditional foods include sugar
beans, maize, pumpkin and wild spinach as the
staple foods. Maize is eaten either as kernels or,
after it has been finely ground, as stiff porridge
with sour milk. Meat such as beef, mutton, goat or
chicken is eaten on special occasions.
Accommodations.
Hotel and lodging accommodations can range from
Maseru's international hotels to mountain lodges,
chalets, camping sites and village huts in the
smaller towns and more remote areas. Although
Maseru is a developing city, its hotels and
restaurants are of international standards. There
are nine hotels and lodges, including two Sun
International Hotel properties. A variety of
culinary tastes are catered to the tourists
including halaal, French, Italian, and Chinese. A
favorite dish is freshwater fish and there is a
good choice of beer, wine and spirits. For a more
local eating experience, the street stalls in
Kingsway Road sell typical African fare which
includes tasty grilled meat. The two major
international hotels have casinos and there are
also several cinemas in Maseru.
Souvenir Shopping.
The craftsmanship and affordability of handicrafts
is quite impressive. Lesotho's famous conical hats,
grass woven articles, mats, brooms, baskets,
pottery, wool and mohair rugs, tapestries and
textiles, rock painting reproductions, traditional
seed, clay bead and porcupine quill jewelry, silver
and gold items are all sought after. In addition,
the distinctive Basotho blankets with traditional
patterns and bright colors make an interesting
purchase to take home.
Sightseeing
Attractions. There are several historical sites in
and around Maseru. On a city tour you can visit the
King's Palace and Prime Minister's Residence and
there are also a number of interesting day trips
available to visitors within close proximity of
Maseru. Some 40kms east of Maseru, is a vantage
point over the Liphiring Stream facing an
overhanging rock called Ha Baroana &endash; the
home of the Bushmen. Here, the San have left a
magnificent gallery of rock paintings of animals
and depictions of Bushmen life featuring hunting,
dancing, and people in huts.
South of Maseru
lies the museum and archives in the town of Morija
about 40kms and it is well worth a visit. Thabo
Bosiu, the mountain stronghold of King Moshoeshoe
I, lies east of Maseru. This flat-topped hill is
where the Basotho people made their last heroic
stand against the Boers and the remains of the
fortifications and graves of Moshoeshoe and other
Basotho chiefs can be seen here.
The town of
Teyateyaneng, north of Maseru, is renowned for its
arts and crafts, especially Lesotho's famous wool
and mohair rugs and tapestries. There you can also
watch the women weavers as they work. The Basotho
word Teyateyaneng means "the place of quick sands".
Just outside of the town, you can buy some of the
best tapestries in the country from the St. Agnes
Mission.
Sehlabathebe
National Park, established in 1970, is the only
National Park in Lesotho and is located in the
southeastern corner of the country. It covers an
area of high mountain plateaus bordering on South
Africa. The area is full of wonderful rock
formations, huge rock overhangs and many small
lakes. The large panels of Bushmen paintings at
Qomoqomong are also a very unique attraction. The
paintings are mostly faded but the drive and walk
are quite scenic.
Mafeteng, which is
conveniently situated in the quiet surroundings of
the Lesotho border with the southern Free State,
practically in the foothills of the high mountain
regions of Lesotho, is an ideal base for the
exploration of the country. Mafeteng is itself the
historic crossroads between the Lesotho capital of
Maseru and the Free State and Eastern Cape of South
Africa.
In the southern
region of Lesotho you will find the petrified
forest on Thaba Ts'oeu Mountain, Motlejoeng caves
near Mphale's Hoek, and the dinosaur footprints at
Moyeni. In the eastern side of the country you can
find Thabana-Ntlenyana, the highest peak in
Southern Africa at an impressive 3,482
meters.
Interesting Things
to Do. With more peaks per square kilometer than
any other African country, and spectacular cliff
faces, ridges and chimneys, Lesotho offers some of
the region's best mountain climbing territory.
However, serious mountain climbing is not for the
inexperienced, and should not be attempted without
proper equipment and local guidance. With its
spectacular mountains and crystal clear air,
Lesotho also offers the ideal conditions for
paragliding and hang-gliding. However, there is no
specialist equipment for hire in Lesotho, so
gliders must bring their own gear.
Basothos have used
their ponies as a means of transport for centuries
in remote regions, and in many areas, pony trekking
are the only ways to see the countryside. The
ponies have developed a unique toughness and
agility to help them traverse the steep terrain of
Lesotho. Other popular pursuits in the mountains
include excursions by 4X4 vehicles or mountain
bikes. The Sani Pass, which lies on the eastern
side of the country and runs between Lesotho and
KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa, and traversing the
Drakensburg Mountains, provides the more
adventurous tourists very good opportunities to
test your off-road abilities.
Another exciting
option is the Roof of Africa Scenic Route, which
was launched by Lesotho in conjunction with
KwaZulu-Natal and the Free State in South Africa.
This permits some adventurous trailblazing through
virgin territory in the landscapes of the Maluti
and Drakensburg mountain ranges.
Lesotho also
offers a lot for the avid fisherman. Migrating
yellowfish leap up waterfalls in order to reach
their spawning grounds, while barbell can be found
in the lowland rivers and trout teem in many rivers
and dams. Some of the best fishing sights are
Butha-Butha, the Malibamat'so, two kilometers below
the Oxbow Lodge, and the confluence of Ts'ehlanyane
and Tlholohatsi Rivers. Lesotho's rivers and lakes
also offer bilharzias-free swimming.
Currently, Lesotho
is developing a world class skiing resort, which
will be one of only three in Africa, in the
Mahlasela slopes. This resort is expected to
substantially boost tourism in Lesotho
Getting There.
South African Airways offers daily flights to and
from Johannesburg, South Africa. Moshoeshoe
International Airport is approximately 18kms from
Maseru. Visitors traveling to Lesotho need only to
comply with South African passport requirements.
U.S. citizens do not require a VISA.
Currency.
Lesotho's unit of currency is the Maloti, which
comprises 100 leisente. The value is equal to the
South African Rand, which is also accepted
throughout Lesotho. U.S. Dollars and Travellers
Cheques are also widely accepted but there is
limited acceptance of credit cards. Foreign
currency can be exchanged in Maseru.
What To Bring.
Lightweight clothing with a jacket for the evenings
in summer and waterproofing for the rainy season is
highly recommended. In the winter, warm clothing is
a must, especially if you are visiting the highland
areas. Casual dress is acceptable for most
occasions.
Climate. Lesotho
is located in the Southern hemisphere. The average
temperature in the summer is 15 degrees Celsius and
5 degrees Celsius in the winter. The greater part
of the annual rainfall occurs between October and
April during the summer months. The hottest months
are January and February where temperatures can
reach 30 to 35 degrees Celsius in the valleys.
Winters can be very cold with snowfall in the
highlands from May to September.
Other Facts. In
the main towns it is safe to drink the tap water
but water outside of the towns should be boiled pr
purified before drinking. Electricity is 220V AC,
50Hz. There is a good working system telephone with
a limited internal network and the country code is
266. Cellular telephone coverage is being expanded
and will gradually be available in all major towns.
Internet connection is available in
Maseru.
TEN BEST REASONS
TO VISIT LESOTHO:
1. The exceptional
scenic beauty of Lesotho's ravines and
valleys.
2. Experiencing
traditional Basotho life in remote mountain
villages.
3. The spectacular
Drakensburg and Maluti Mountain Ranges.
4. Pony trekking
on the unique Basotho ponies.
5. Mountain
climbing and hiking in the mountains.
6. The opportunity
to experience the outdoors first-hand in a pristine
wilderness.
7. Unique,
handmade wool and mohair rugs and
tapestries.
8. The Basotho's
distinctive dress of conical grass hats and bright
ethnic blankets.
9. A visit to the
massive Katse dam wall, part of the Highlands Water
Project.
10. Good fishing
in Lesotho's many rivers, lakes and
dams.
About the author:
Helen C. Broadus is the President of Venue
International Professionals, Inc. (VIP) &endash; a
full service travel and tourism company based in
the Washington Metropolitan Area that focuses on
the African Continent. She is also the Executive
Secretary of the Africa Travel Association (ATA)
and the Chairperson of the ATA's Education and
Training Committee. For more information about
VIP's FAM Tour of Lesotho, contact Helen C. Broadus
at Tel: (301) 856-9188; Fax: (301) 868-2218; and
E-Mail at vipinc@erols.com.
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