I cannot think of anything 🙂 Since Lesotho is such a small country, I had kept my expectations quite low.
Location in the World map …
Some interesting tidbits about Lesotho …
Lesotho is a small scenic country of tall mountains and narrow valleys, entirely within Southern Africa. The mountain kingdom has been the domain of Khoisan speaking hunter-gatherers. In the 19th century the local tribe, led by Moshoeshoe, took control of the region. It remained independent until it became a British protectorates. Lesotho is known as “The Mountain Kingdom” for nothing. Nearly two thirds of the country consist of mountains (2200 – 3000 meters altitude). When driving through the country, you’ll see a lot of mountains. “Blanket” is considered the national dress! The Basotho blanket is a very common sight in Lesotho, with its colorful patterns. The blanket is not only used to protect the Basotho against the cold but is also culturally relevant. Almost entirely made of wool, they protect very well against the harsh cold winter.
Lesotho is a high-altitude land-locked country, fully encircled by South Africa.
Lesotho has the 3482m peak of Thabana Ntlenyana, the highest peak in Southern Africa.
Lesotho has quite a few rivers and mountains.
Lesotho is just 30K Sq.Km.
Lesotho has just 2M people in total.
Half of the Lesotho’s population is below the Poverty Line.
King Moshoeshoe I founded Lesotho in 1824.
Sani Mountain Lodge in the Sani Pass is regarded as Africa’s highest Pub.
Lesotho has the “highest lowest point of any Country”! Entire nation is above 1000m!
Lesotho is severely affected by HIV/AIDS.
Lesotho has one of the scariest runways in the World (Matekane Air Strip).
Lesotho still has cave dwellers in the district of Berea.
Timeline: Formed in 1824 –> British Empire –> Independence in 1966.
My 1st impressions:
The winds!!! Nearly got blown off my feet …
I wonder how strong Lesotho Military is 🙂
Largest City: Maseru (Elevation 1600m)
Capital: Maseru (Elevation 1600m)
Population: 2 Million (300K in Maseru)
Language: Sesotho, English.
GDP: 2.5 Billion USD
Ethnicity: “Sotho” or “Basotho” (99.7%! The most Ethnically homogeneous Country in the World!)
Religion: 92% Christianity
Currency: Lesotho Loti (LSL). 1 LSL == 4.54 INR.
National Animal: Black Rhino
My Experiences
The sturdy 4×4 that took us to Lesotho, from Underberg, and back. Does not look it, but man did this 4×4 fly over the rough terrain with 11 people. 12, if we include the Basotho lady we picked up on the way (She was very happy for the ride).The initial portions were quite moderate 🙂 Sani Pass.There were regular stops on the way, for photos … Sani Pass.Note the forest fire and the long winding road … Sani Pass.Frozen waterfall! 3000m elevation does not sound that excessive (My trek to Machu Picchu involved 4300m or so), but the winds make it freezing cold. Last time I felt such winds was in Mongolia.Sani Pass ends and Voila! Better, much better, roads of Lesotho 🙂No:65 – Lesotho: gattokaran.com: Mission-193: One step at a time … “Kingdom in the Sky” 🙂 Just 30000 Sq.Km. The country with the highest lowest point in the World (Entire nation is above 1000 meters). Entirely surrounded by South Africa. # Most Ethnically homogenous nation in the World. 99.7% is Sotho or Basotho. # People of Lesotho use blankets a lot. Locals need it during the harsh Winters. # Full of Mountains, Rivers and Valleys. # More than half the population is below the Poverty Line. # Population of 2 Million and a GDP of just 2.5 Billion USD. # Currency is Lesotho Loti. 1 LSL == 4.5 INR. Lesotho Loti is worth more than Indian Rupee!? 🤭🤔 # At 3400m, has the highest peak of Southern Africa. Many peaks between 2200m-3000m. My First Impressions: # The winds! Nearly got blown off my feet … 😳 # I wonder how strong Lesotho Military is 😉How harsh and desolate is Lesotho?My seat was right in the back. An adventurous photo through the window 🙂 Lesotho.How harsh and desolate is Lesotho?How harsh and desolate is Lesotho?Several points had Ice by the road side. Though I did not see Ice on the actual roads, there were many road signs warning of “Icy Roads”. Lesotho.Just 1000m higher than Ooty 🙂 Our guide Grand explaining away. Grand is a native of Underberg, South Africa, and grew up there.The ~Caped~ “Masked” Crusader strikes again … 😁 This time, lording over the Kingdom of Lesotho 😎 I had flown to Durban mainly for South/East Lesotho (Plan to tackle North side of Lesotho in a future trip from Kenya to Johannesburg). Me, Ines and Ivan were picked up in a Mahindra Scorpio (!) from Durban. Ivan is from Serbia and works for the Government. Ines is from Montenegro and is a Nuclear Physicist who works as a teacher. Ines grew up in Vancouver Canada and has her family there while she lives and works in Montenegro. As a teacher, she gets 3 months of vacations every year and is up to 108 nations. She visited the Golden Triangle in India in 2023. At Underberg, we were joined by a UK-Indian family of 4 and a Swiss family of 3. Our guide “Grand” took us in a sturdy 4×4 through the treacherous Sani Pass and we climbed around 2500m over 8-10 Km. It was an “Internal Organs Jarring” and “Bone Crunching” ride, all the more because I sat right at the back 😁 But the views were amazing …The highest point on the roads in these parts … Lesotho.Warnings … Icy roads in Winter. Lesotho.Grand with our host in the Lesotho village, Belina. Blankets are worn by all in Lesotho. Belina, had 3 sets of twins and thereby has a huge family! She has lived here for long. House building is not easy in Lesotho. No local wood is available, and people are not allowed to pick anything locally. They have to drive 50km to South Africa to buy logs Etc. Houses have only 1 door and no windows, to keep out the cold. Door faces the East, for the Sun. Each hut has a large central rock for fire. Cooking is done here. There are rocks ,placed sideways, under the floor for heating. Cow dung is used for the flooring and the walls. # HAPPINESS. RAIN. PROSPERITY. (Was written on the wall, in local language). Lesotho people go work in SA, mainly in the mines. Hail, Snow Etc. makes it tough to grow vegetables. Children sent 50km away to school. Parents pay a caretaker to stay with the kids. 70% of the women are educated. Locals use a strong “Iron Wood” stick as a prized possession. Given to young men, during the Boy->Man ceremony. These sturdy sticks are used for gatherings, fighting Etc. Pap is a staple food here.Belina had made some local bread for us to taste … Lesotho.Bought a few of these, as souvenirs. Lesotho.Bought this item as well 🙂 Lesotho.Belina outside her hut … It was nice and cozy inside the hut. But outside? Windy and cold. Lesotho.Locals in their blankets. One has to pay them some cursory amount to take their photos … Lesotho.A typical village in Lesotho …“Highest Pub in Africa” 🙂 Everest climbers, please break this record and go for “Highest Pub in the World” 🙂The amazing view from the Pub … The Pub was doing brisk business. I got to use the “Highest Restroom” as well 😉 Lesotho.The Pub was very well stocked … Lesotho.Picture frame … From Lesotho.Everyone else had hot drinks (Coffee Tea Etc.), due to the winds and the cold. I went for the local Beer. Its not everyday that one comes to Lesotho 🙂A nice painting in one of the local stores … Lesotho.Vintage photos of Sani Pass … Lesotho.Vintage photos of Sani Pass … Lesotho.The pub had a nice Wine section as well … Lesotho.Obvious name for a Wine from Lesotho … 🙂 Grapes grow here!?The pub had a nice Wine section as well … Lesotho.Too much red meat in Africa! Went for a Chicken Burger during lunch … Lesotho.The “Highest Pub” from outside … Lesotho.LOL 🙂 They are not shy about advertising it … Lesotho.How cool is this Souvenir/Crafts shop? Lesotho.Ines collects Beer (Not empty Beer bottles, full Beer bottles). She proudly displaying the bottle she bought … Lesotho.View of Sani Pass from the top … At Lesotho Immigration point.South Africa welcomes us back … 🙂 Sani Pass.
