Air Travel

Lesotho is otherwise known as the Kingdom in the Sky, because of its high altitude and mountain peaks, Lesotho offers the traveller a different face of Africa, which is closer to alpine in climate, scenery and vegetation. Invigorating mountain air, spectacular panoramas and a rare birdlife combine to attract outdoor enthusiasts from all over the world.

Popular ways of exploring the countryside is through hiking, and trekking by 4×4′s or on the back of ponies. Renowned for their crafts and hospitality, the Basotho people offer a warm welcome when they say Khotso (peace), at the same time inviting you to experience their tiny, traditional villages and the unspoilt serenity that is Lesotho…

CAPITAL:

Maseru

CLIMATE:

Temperate subtropical. Frost occurs frequently in winter. Most rain occurs Oct-Apr and is usually concentrated in fierce thunderstorms.

CURRENCY:

1 Lesotho Loti = 100 lisente. South African Rands are accepted. Visa, Access/MasterCard and Diners Club credit cards have limited acceptance and the use of traveller’s cheques is limited outside Maseru.

ELECTRICITY:

220 volts, 50Hz. Plugs are 2- and 3-pin round.

HEALTH:

A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required from travellers coming from infected areas. Visitors are also advised to take pre-arrival precautions against typhoid, hepatis A and polio. Other health concerns include minimal medical facilities; unavailability of many medicines; food- and water-borne illnesses, particularly amoebiasis, typhoid fever and cholera; influenza (risk is May-Oct); AIDS; and tetanus.

LANGUAGE::

Sesotho and English

PUBLIC HOLIDAYS:

New Years’ Day (1 Jan); Moshoeshoe (11 Mar); Heroes Day (4 Apr); Good Friday (9 Apr); Easter Monday (12 Apr); Labour Day (1 May); King’s Anniversary (17 Jul); Independance Day (4 Oct); Christmas Day (25 Dec)

SHOPPING:

Basotho hat; grass woven items (mats, brooms, baskets); pottery; wool and mohair rugs; tapestries; textiles; rock painting reproductions; traditional seed, clay, bead and porcupine quill jewellery; silver, gold and ebony items; copperwork; African chess sets. The Basotho Hat Store is a good place to find local crafts.

SOCIAL CONVENTIONS:

Main religions are Christianity and traditional African religions – these and the older generation should be respected. Normal courtesies and friendliness will be appreciated. Dress is casual, but modest. For business, dress in a lightweight suit and tie and observe usual formalities, but expect a casual atmosphere and pace.

TIME DIFFERENCE:

GMT +2

TIPPING::

Tipping is recommended at restaurants and hotels.

TOP TEN ATTRACTIONS DESCRIPTION:

Maseru and surrounds:

Basotho Hat, the principal handicrafts centre; the Catholic Cathedral of Our Lady of Victories; the Papal Pavillion; Thorkild Hand Weaving and Moteng Weavers; Lancer’s Gap, for views of the city and Caledon Valley; the Peach Blossom Route, in August explore the nearby orchards by car or on pony; Roma; Morija with its National Museum; and Matsieng featuring the Royal Summer Palace (closed to visitors).

Thaba-Bosiu:

Within easy reach of Maseru, a flat-topped hill features the substantial remains of the dwellings and villages of King Moshoeshoe I as well as the royal cemetery of Lesotho.

Teya-Teyaneng:

A short drive from Maseru, you can find a wide variety of souvenirs in this town whose weavers and craftsmen sell their wares in the many craft centres available; close to the town are some San (Bushmen) rock art.

Malealea and surrounds:

The Gate of Paradise is a spectacular pass on the road to Malealea with panoramic views of the plains dotted with attractive traditional villages, in spring alpine flowers alongside the road are in flower; an outstanding pony-trekking centre is available in Malealea and trekking or hiking routes include a number of waterfalls e.g. the Maletsunyane Falls and indigenous alpines such as the famous Spiral Aloe; nearby Mohale’s Hoek is scenic and at nearby Motlejoeng visitors can explore some of the most interesting cannibal caves, which are found throughout Lesotho.

Dinosaur Trackways:

About 5 miles north of Hlotse, Subeng Stream Dinosaur Trackway is one of the best examples of dinosaur trackways in Lesotho; the footprints of several different dinosaurs some dating back to 180-200 million years ago, are preserved in sandstone; the Moyeni and Masitise Dinosaur Trackways feature the footprints of many different dinosaurs as well as other primitive reptiles.

Ha Baroana Rock:

Paintings 39km east of Maseru; overhanging rock accessible after crossing a stream featuring a magnificent gallery of Bushmen paintings.

Molimo Nthuse and surrounds:

One of the most attractive tourist routes in Lesotho, the road to Molimo Nthuse includes a series of mountain passes, each offering superb vistas of mountain peaks, steep gorges, tumbling streams and broad valleys; at Molimo Nthuse you will find one of the principal pony-trekking centres of Lesotho – on offer are treks for a couple of hours or days visiting waterfalls, local villages and other scenic attractions; travellers can visit the Maletsunyane Falls on a pony-trekking trail, it’s impressive as the highest single-drop falls in southern Africa.

Katse Dam:

The centrepiece of the Highlands Water Project, the huge Katse Dam is spectacular when water levels are at their highest; the surrounding scenery is picturesque and activities cater for bird watchers and water sport enthusiasts.

Roof of Africa:

Scenic Route Via Sani Pass, the gateway to the circuit; the greater part of the route lies in the Mokhotlong District, where the top of the Drakensberg Ridge is found; includes Thabana-Ntlenyana, which at 3482m is the highest peak in southern Africa; Sani Pass, Thaba-Tseka, Katse and Hlotse form an alternative section of the route where 4x4s are most suited.

Sehlaba-Thebe National Park:

The park comprises 6500 hectares at an average elevation of 2400m and offers a wealth of birdlife and diverse Cape alpine flora; a small, minnow-like fish (Oreodaimon quathlambae) which was thought to be extinct has been rediscovered in the Tsoelikana River.

Travel into Nebraska and you will find peace and quiet, where you can stare at the stars and let your imagination run. Adventure into Nebraska and discover, the largest planted forest in the country that is well over a hundred years old. Visit Platte River Valley and view the Sand hill Cranes by the hundreds. Tanking down the river in a water tank and let your cares float away.

A peaceful float down the Platte River river starting at the Platte River landing will take you past rocky buttes, sand bars full of wildlife and past old stands of hickory and cottonwood trees.
Float down the river at about 5 miles per hour and just enjoy the views. Spend the night at one of the campsites at Platte River Landing or stay in North Bend the closest city in the area.

Discover Smith Falls State Park take a one mile hike to view Nebraska’s largest waterfall. Just one of the short scenic discoveries you will find along the Scenic Sandhill Highway. Your adventure here will take you to the end of the Niobrara River. This area has one of the most diverse ecological areas in Nebraska and is a favorite with the locals.

An adventure into Niobrara River State Park you will find campgrounds and cabins in the area. The lodge serves up buffalo burgers with views of the river. Spend the day and take a horse ride along the trail or hike through the area and discover the wild birds along the way.

Traveling across Nebraska traveling along the Sandhill Scenic Highway it will remind you of the wave of the ocean in green. The grasslands here protect the dunes and provide habitat for wildlife and fowl.
Stopping along the way and catching the way the wind gives the sea of grass motion will give you a feeling of times gone by.

If you are a history buff I recommend the Lewis and Clark Scenic Byway for eighty seven miles you will travel through historic Nebraska and discover what Lewis and Clark viewed as they searched for the Pacific Ocean.

Where ever your adventure travel takes you in Nebraska you will be pleasantly surprised and enjoy a unique experience.

Ohio offers the sandy beaches of Lake Erie for the sun worshiper. Forested mountains and a rich historic history. Beach lovers who adventure to Ohio will feel like they are at a fresh water ocean on the white sandy shores of Lake Erie at East Harbor State Park. If adventure is what you seek the islands of Lake Erie are a must see.

Hike Kelly Island and enjoy the five miles of hiking trails that will lead you through two nature preserves where the plant and wildlife hasn’t changed in hundreds of years. Camping is available on the island and you can feel like the rest of the world just falls away. You can rent a kayak and view the island from the lake.

Travel through Catawba Island it is a great place to have a picnic take a swim or just relax for awhile. Middle Bass Island is where you can enjoy a taste of the grape in the area. Hiking along the island you can see the artful limestone formations or head underground into the caverns below the surface. Hike through the red cedars listening to hundreds of song birds filling the air with their song.

Wyandot Indians once hunted and lived on the island. They left their artwork on the rocks 500 years ago. The island is inhabited today and has been every since the Europeans chased the Wyandot Indians from the island.

Ohio River Scenic Byway will take you on an adventure through history. You will see the original homes of two presidents, enjoy the trees and visit the history of ceramics museum. Along the way you will pass a French Artist Colony and wander the traditional French Architecture and find a painted treasure. Travel to the old fort of Stubenville and see what it was like to live on the frontier. When you travel through Ohio full of history, diversity and lazy days on the beach you will most certainly find the adventure travel you seek.