LESOTHO
Enclosed by South Africa, Lesotho is the world's
only country with a landmass of more than 1 500m above
sea level.
Comparable in
size to Belgium, this mountain kingdom possesses
magnificent panoramic views from the snow-capped
mountains that cover most of the country. The 'Kingdom
in the Sky' has a healthy and invigorating climate and
is entirely free of tropical diseases.
Probably
settled in the 16th century by the Sotho people
displacing the Khoisans, early society was made up of
small chieftains whose mainstay was cattle and
cultivation. Traders and boer settlers emerged on the
scene in the 19th century and conflict ensued. King
Moshoeshoe, the acknowledged founder of the Sotho
nation, fended off attacks by both Boer and British as
his land was diminished in size.
In 1868,
Moshoeshoe turned to the British for arbitration with
the loss of more Sotho land. Three years later it was
handed to the Cape Colony to run and further
disturbances took place. Finally, in 1884 the British
government took direct control of its affairs. When the
union of South Africa was formed in 1910, Basutoland was
left out of the equation and became a British
Protectorate. Full independence for the Kingdom was
granted in 1966.
The Basotho
people, the natives of the country, have a reputation
for warmth and hospitality. A society rich in craft and
culture, they are also renowned for their pottery, grass
work and blanket weaving.
Mountaineering, hiking, fishing, pony trekking, bird
watching, 4X4 trails and even snow skiing are popular
leisure time choices for visitors. Additionally, there
are excellent opportunities for photography, rock
collecting, fossil hunting (dinosaur footprints) and
canoeing on the dams sited in the heart of the country.
Lesotho and
South Africa have combined in a multimillion dollar
conservation project beginning in 2000.The Maluti -
Drakensberg Transformation Conservation and Development
project aims to protect and develop the eastern alpine
ecosystem of the Maluti-Drakensberg mountains which
includes the spiral aloe flower and the rare bearded
vulture.
Official
Language: English/SeSotho.
Climate:
January and February are the hottest months with
temperatures reaching upwards of 30 degrees Celsius in
the valleys but averaging 15 degrees. Eighty-five
percent of the rainfall occurs during summer from Oct -
Apr. Winters from May – Sept are cold, averaging three
degrees Celsius, with snowfalls in the highlands.
Safety:
Lesotho is fairly crime-free but visitors are advised to
be on their guard in towns and while travelling alone or
at night.
Accommodation: It boasts sophisticated accommodation
in the capital and simpler but comfortable accommodation
in other areas. This ranges from international hotels
and casinos in Maseru to mountain lodges, chalets,
camping sites in smaller towns. Many are self catering.
Internal
travel: The road system is still developing and most
roads are gravel. The main road from the north along the
western border to the south is tarred. The road from the
north to Mokhotlong and some others penetrating into the
interior from Maseru and the west. A 4x4
