15 Awesome Things to Do in Lesotho + Essential Guide

Lovely little Lesotho, surrounded by South Africa. Also known as the “Kingdom in the Sky”, Lesotho is a small (read: tiny) landlocked country in southern Africa. 

Despite its diminutive size, Lesotho is a country rich in culture, history, and natural beauty. From the rugged and majestic mountains to its unique cultural encounters, Lesotho has so much to offer the intrepid traveller. And not to mention, it’s completely off the beaten track. 

Want to explore Lesotho for yourself? Good on you! Read on for 14 awesome things to do in Lesotho, one of Africa’s top hidden gems. 

Kingdom of Lesotho: Fast Facts

• Capital: Maseru
• Area: 30,355 sq km
• Population: 2.2 million
• Languages: Sesotho, English

Things to Do in Lesotho #1: Take a Drive up Sani Pass

Sani Pass is probably one of the most popular things to do in Lesotho and probably the best-known Lesotho attraction. 

What is Sani Pass, you ask? Well, Sani Pass is a scenic mountain pass connecting Lesotho to South Africa. It is a popular destination for 4×4 enthusiasts and offers stunning views of the surrounding Drakensberg Mountains, scattered amongst its generous serving of hairpin turns.

The road straddles that fine line between terrifying and exciting in the most brilliant way possible, making a drive up Sani Pass easily one of the best things to do in Lesotho. 

Don’t have your own 4×4? No sweat. Being such a popular Lesotho attraction, there are heaps of tours heading up Sani Pass. Check out the best ones here. 

Read: How to Conquer Sani Pass

Things to Do in Lesotho #2: Explore Maletsunyane Falls

Now, we’re not ones for hyperbole, but Maletsunyane Falls is epic. We loved it and thought it completely lived up to the hype and is absolutely one of the best places to visit in Lesotho. 

Located a short drive (or hike or pony trek) from Semonkong village, Maletsunyane Falls is one of the highest single-drop waterfalls in Africa. The waterfall drops 192 meters into a pool below, creating a spectacular sight.

In a hurry? Check out Maletsunyane Falls as part of a 3-day tour of Lesotho

Visitors can (and should) hike to the bottom of the falls for an awesome perspective of this impressive natural wonder. It’s a fun and adventurous thing to do in Lesotho. The hike, which has a few steep and slippery sections, can be arranged through a local guide (arranged in the neighbouring village or at Semkong Lodge) or done independently (the trail can be found on Wikiloc and maps.me). 

For anyone looking to dial the experience up to an 11, It’s also possible to abseil down the falls. At 204 meters, top to bottom, it holds the world record for the longest commercially operated single-drop abseil in the world. No big deal. 

Pro tip: If you have a 4×4, you can score yourself the most epic camping spot overlooking the falls, for free!

If you don’t have your own wheels, or just like your activities more on the organised side, then check out this great tour to Maletsunyane Falls from Maseru.

Read our full guide on Maletsunyane Falls

Things to Do in Lesotho #3: Take in the Local Fashion 

After spending a year road-tripping around Africa, we’ve certainly seen some outstanding fashion choices. People in Africa love their fashion!

But we must say, the fashion in Lesotho is a cut above the rest. Its creativity, flamboyance and cultural adaptations are a sight to behold and we wouldn’t be surprised to see some of these styles replicated in a New York fashion show one day. Seriously, it’s that good! Just admiring how awesome locals look is a fun thing to do in Lesotho. 

While the styles vary slightly in detail, the centrepiece is always the traditional Basotho blanket. This is a thick woven blanket with unique designs that symbolise wealth, power and fertility. The blanket has been a staple on the Lesotho fashing scene since the 19th century when a British diplomat gifted one to the ruler King Moshoeshoe I.  The rest, my friends, is history.  

Sadly, as inspired as it was, I lacked the finesse to pull off one of these outfits. Also, I’m sure that would classify as cultural appropriation.   

Lesotho is best explored by road-tripping. Check out our epic 8-day Lesotho road trip itinerary.

Things to Do in Lesotho #4: Live It Up at the Maletsunyane Braai Festival 

If you’re a fan of braai (Southern African BBQ) and music, then the Maletsunyane Braai Festival is a great thing to do in Lesotho. Held annually on the last weekend of November, the braai festival takes place against the backdrop of Maletsunyane Falls. 

The event always features several prominent local and international musical acts and has a ton of delicious food stalls, making it one of the top Lesotho attractions. 

From Lesotho, be sure to visit Golden Gate Highland National Park in South Africa

Things to Do in Lesotho #5: Go Pony Trekking 

If there is one thing Lesotho is known for in Southern Africa, it’s its sturdy Basotho ponies. These ponies are well adapted to the rugged Lesotho mountains and make for an excellent way to take in all the beautiful places to visit in Lesotho.

Hopping on a pony for a few hours (or days) worth of riding is easily one of the most popular things to do in Lesotho.

Treks can last anywhere from a few hours to a few days and can be arranged pretty much anywhere, at any time, with no notice. Seriously, you could just rock up to a random village and manage to arrange a pony trek.

And if you’re really keen (and your bum is ready), you can even go on this 8-day/7-night pony trek. Respect! (Don’t worry, there’s also a 3-day option too.)

Want to get off the beaten track in South Africa? Read South Africa’s Top Hidden Gems

Things to Do in Lesotho #6: Support Community-Based Tourism at Malealea Lodge

Charming Malealea Lodge in Lesotho’s remote western highlands is a wonderful place to visit in Lesotho, not just for its beautiful surroundings but also for its well-executed community-based tourism model. 

Malealea Lodge offers excellent little rondavels, camping and heaps of activities. Proceeds from the lodge fund the Malealea Development Trust, which services several vital roles throughout the community, including educational initiatives, sustainable development projects and scholarship funds. This is a place to visit in Lesotho that makes a difference. Awesome! 

The lodge and community have a mutually beneficial and harmonious relationship, whereby the lodge benefits from the friendly and welcoming community and the community benefits through jobs created via the lodge. This adds to a really neat vibe. Sadly, we only spent 1 night at Malealea Lodge, but really wish we could have stayed longer.

The lodge also offers lots of interesting activities such as organised hikes, mountain biking, pony trekking and community tours. They have a lot of fun things to do in Lesotho, all really well organised. 

The best thing on offer though? The nightly mini-concert that includes performances by a local choir and community band. It’s a really cool experience!  

Things to Do in Lesotho #7: Watch the World Go By From Semonkong Lodge

Semonkong Lodge, located a few kilometres from Maletsunyane Falls also ranks amongst the best (and popular) places to visit in Lesotho. Its quirky pub, the Duck and Donkey Tavern, offers an excellent location to post up and watch the world go by.

As the lodge is located on the edge of town, there are limitless people-watching opportunities and it’s a nice way to soak up the vibe. It’s more downtempo than adventurous, but still a great thing to do in Lesotho to just get an overall sense of the place. 

Semonkong Lodge also arranges many activities including hikes, pony trekking and community visits. 

Things to Do in Lesotho #8: Hit the Slopes at Afriski Mountain Resort

Yeah, you heard that right. If you visit Lesotho during the winter months (June to August), why not head to Afriski Mountain Resort in the Maluti Mountains for some skiing and snowboarding? 

It’s one of the few places in Africa where you can experience winter sports. Ok, Afriski is a small resort with limited runs and you’re not going to get anything on the scale of the Alps, but it’s also a really unique thing to do in Lesotho, so a visit here is worth considering.  

Things to Do in Lesotho #9: Grab a Drink at the Highest Pub in Africa 

Once you’ve gotten to the top of Sani Pass, be sure to stop for a drink at the Sani Mountain Lodge, the self-proclaimed highest pub in Africa and a rewarding place to visit in Lesotho. 

The Sani Mountain Lodge is a really cosy space that includes a lovely fireplace and sweeping views of the valley below. What better way to celebrate conquering the Sani Pass than stopping by and enjoying a beverage at this unique spot? Don’t worry, if you don’t drink, you can get a hot chocolate too. 

Be sure to bring a jacket because it’s cold up there. 

Things to Do in Lesotho #10: Check out Ancient Dinosaur Footprints 

Back in 2017, one of the largest dinosaur footprints ever found was discovered in Lesotho. Now, you can spot a couple of them too. There are a number of places to visit in Lesotho that have dinosaur footprints: Subeng River Dinosaur Footprints, Tsikoane Village Dinosaur Footprints and Quthing are some of the main sites. 

We visited the Subeng River Dinosaur Footprints. They’re somewhat eroded and some can be completely underwater, but you can see the outline, which is pretty neat. It’s not a mind-blowing thing to do in Lesotho, but it’s cute and by visiting, you’re supporting the local economy. 

If you stop at Subeng River Dinosaur Footprints on your own, budget around 50 LTL per person for the guide to show you. And yes, you do need the guide, because you won’t find them on your own. 

We’ve heard that some of the other sites can be more impressive – if you have visited these Lesotho attractions, please let us know in the comment below. 

Unless you’re really big into paleontology, we don’t recommend going out of your way to see the dinosaur footprints, but they’ll likely be on the way to wherever you’re going, so you may as well stop and take a peek. 

Things to Do in Lesotho #11: Go Camping and Hiking in Tselanyanye National Park 

Located in central Lesotho, Ts’ehlanyane National Park is known for its lush valleys and indigenous forest. Several hiking trails lead to waterfalls, caves and panoramic viewpoints, making a jaunt around here an excellent thing to do in Lesotho. 

If you’re coming from Sani Pass, the drive here is stunning. Entrance to the national park costs 50 LTL per person and 30 LTL per car (only paid once, upon entry). 

Inside the park is massive Maliba Lodge with rooms and rondavels if you want a bed for the night, but for the adventurous, there is an excellent riverside campsite (one of our favourite places to visit in Lesotho). 

Extra points if you can manage to pronounce the name of this national park!

Read our Essential Guide to Ts’ehlanyane National Park

Things to Do in Lesotho #12: Take an Authentic Community Tour 

Due to their isolation (i.e., being surrounded by mountains), the Basotho people in Lesotho have strongly retained their culture. It’s pretty evident and pretty awesome. Learning more about the Kingdom and the Basotho way of life is an awesome thing to do in Lesotho. 

You can learn about the Basotho culture through an insightful community tour. We highly recommend this as a thing to do in Lesotho. 

You can organise a tour almost anywhere, including online. We did ours through the Malealea Lodge and can highly recommend it. Our guide was super knowledgeable, friendly and did an excellent job enlightening us on small, fascinating cultural tidbits.

We learned about all kinds of interesting practices including the importance of village chiefs, funeral traditions, the use and significance of flags throughout Lesotho villages and, as an added bonus, we even got to sample some local beer.

Things to Do in Lesotho #13: Explore Thaba-Bosiu 

Thaba-Bosiu is another one of Lesotho’s attractions and a (relatively) popular place to visit in Lesotho. It is the most important historical site in Lesotho and therefore a top Lesotho attraction. 

Thaba-Bosiu is a sandstone plateau and a national monument that holds great historical significance for the Basotho people. It is considered the birthplace of the Basotho people and served as the mountain fortress of King Moshoeshoe I, the founder of Lesotho. 

You can supplement your Basotho knowledge by exploring the site and learning about Lesotho’s rich cultural and historical heritage. You can visit Thaba Bosiu independently or on this top-rated tour.

Things to Do in Lesotho #14: Get Out and Explore the Mountains! 

Lesotho’s (very cute) nickname is “the Kingdom in the Sky”, due to its high altitude and mountainous terrain. As such, the country is home to some of the most spectacular mountains in Southern Africa, making it a great place for hikers and outdoor enthusiasts. 

Except for a few hikes around Malealea and Sani Pass, the trails aren’t developed in the sense you might be used to (i.e., they’re non-existent) and to explore them you’ll have to be pretty self-sufficient and prepared.

But for the adventurous and intrepid, it’s an unspoiled paradise. You can literally head off into the hills and see where your feet take you. Set up a tent, or, in most Basotho villages, you can rent a hut for the night. Be sure to find the chief and ask for permission (even if camping). 

From Sani Pass, Thabana-Ntlenyana (3428m) is a popular full-day hike. For something a bit more hardcore, you can undertake a rugged 3 – 4 day trek to Sehlabathebe National Park. From  Ts’ehlanyane National Park, there is a 39 km hike through challenging terrain that leads to Bokong Nature Reserve. 

If you’d like more information on routes and options, Malealea Lodge is a useful resource for trekking in Lesotho. If you like your hikes well-organised, check out this epic 2-day hike, 3-day hike and 4-day hike through Lesotho villages.

Things to do in Lesotho #15: Did someone say Donkey Pub Crawl? 

That’s right, you heard me correctly. Take in Semonkong’s traditional and local entertainment in a truly unique way, riding a donkey. 

Visit a traditional beer brewing home and local bars all while learning about the local Basotho people, their music and dancing. Sounds like fun, right? 

How many times will you get the opportunity to do something like this? If your answer is “lots of times.” Well, that’s a bit weird, (but also awesome). 

The tours are arranged directly through Semonkong Lodge. 

Lesotho Travel: FAQS

Best Time to Visit Lesotho 

The best time to visit Lesotho is from March to April and September. This is during the southern hemisphere autumn and spring. During this time, the weather is pleasant, and the skies are clear, making it perfect for outdoor activities and sightseeing at the Lesotho attractions. 

Since Lesotho is at high altitude, from April to August, Lesotho is very cold. Need convincing? When we camped at Ts’ehlanyane National Park in April, we woke up to frost every morning. 

If you’re a fan of winter sports (and want to check out Afriski), then visit Lesotho during the winter months (June to August). 

The wet season, from November to March, can bring heavy rains and make some roads impassable. 

What to Pack for Lesotho

If travelling to Lesotho in the winter, it’ll be cold, so be sure to bring a warm jacket and layers. A rain jacket is useful at all times. Don’t forget good walking shoes and a sturdy daypack, so you can explore all the awesome places to visit in Lesotho. 

If camping, then you’ll also want a good sleeping bag (rated at least to -5C) to keep you warm. 

Pro tip: pack a Steripen. With this badboy, you never have to worry about clean drinking water ever again.

How to Travel to Lesotho 

The easiest (but most expensive) way to get to Lesotho is by flying into the capital city, Maseru. The Moshoeshoe I International Airport is the main airport in Lesotho and is served by several airlines. 

If you fly in, you can rent a car or join a tour to explore the country. It is more common, however, to hire a driver to get to all the wonderful places to visit in Lesotho.  If this is what you’re after, you can hire a top-rated driver here.

The most common (and cheapest) way to travel to Lesotho is by entering overland from South Africa.

Most travellers rent a car in either Johannesburg, Bloemfontein or Durban and cross by land. This way, you have your own set of wheels to explore all the awesome things to do in Lesotho. If possible, we highly recommend renting a 4×4 – you’ll have a lot more fun and be able to get to a lot more places. Trust us on this one.

Going to Joburg? Read 15 Awesome Things to Do in Johannesburg

There are 13 border crossings with South Africa, however, the most popular are at Maseru Bridge and Ficksburg Bridge – these can often have queues. 

Pro tip: use Discover Cars to find the best deals on rentals.

Where to Stay in Lesotho

Hands down, our two favourite places to stay in Lesotho are Semonkong Lodge and Malealea Lodge.

Here are some other top choices for where to stay in Lesotho.

Is Lesotho Safe to Visit?

Compared with neighbouring South Africa, Lesotho is very safe to visit. As with all places, petty crime does happen, however, the main problem is bag-snatching and pickpocketing in Maseru. Most of the crime happens in Masure and to be honest, there’s nothing worth keeping you there anyways. 

Outside of the capital, violent crime (or even crime) against travellers is rare. When we camped at Maletsunyane Falls and hiked to the bottom of the waterfall, we asked a local about leaving our car at the viewing point. His response? “There’s no crime here”. 

The biggest safety concerns in Lesotho are the roads and the terrible drivers. Never drive at night and drive defensively.

We also had a few issues with kids throwing rocks at our car and once, opening the passenger door whilst slowly crawling up a mountain pass. Lesson learned: keep your doors locked while driving.

Travel insurance, as always, is essential. If something goes wrong, you want to be covered. We use and recommend SafetyWing. Trust us, we’ve used a lot of travel insurance and they really are the best.

Related: Is Johannesburg Safe to Visit?

Is Lesotho Worth Visiting?

So, now that you’ve read about all the Lesotho attractions and places to visit in Lesotho, are you asking yourself, is Lesotho worth visiting?

Hell yes, it is! We loved Lesotho and highly recommend it to all intrepid travellers in Southern Africa.

For those who like adventure, culture, nature and offbeat destinations, it doesn’t get any better than Lesotho. You can hike, bike, ride a pony, and learn about a unique culture – all without any crowds. 

What are you waiting for?

Lesotho Travel Tips

• If you’re coming from South Africa (which, you probably are), you can use South African rand if you don’t want to use an ATM in Lesotho or change money. The South African rand is par with the Lesotho loti (LTL) and is accepted everywhere. 
• If you’re self-catering, stock up on supplies in South Africa before entering Lesotho. Roma and Maseru have okay supermarkets, but that’s about it. 
• Learn a couple of words in Sesotho. Well, try. It’s freakin hard to pronounce. “Dumela” is hello. 
• Sim cards are easy to obtain in Lesotho, but if you’re only going for a short bit and don’t want the hassle, remember to download some offline maps for navigation. 
• Petrol is marginally cheaper in Lesotho than in South Africa. 

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