Lesotho may be small, but it’s big on adventure – from the world’s longest commercial abseil to some of the most breathtaking mountain bike trails on the planet.
The landlocked mountain kingdom in southern Africa is one of the destinations for Rob Warner's Wild Rides, a new mountain biking lifestyle show now available on Red Bull TV.
24 min
Lesotho
Mountain bikers Rob Warner and Matt Jones, head to Lesotho to experience a very different kind of racing.
It’s known as the ‘Switzerland of Africa’ and although it’s smaller than Belgium it’s packed with remote mountain ranges and steep untouched trails that deliver adventure opportunities at every turn.
The warm, welcoming Basotho people add to the vibe, making it a perfect adventure travel destination and here are 10 adrenaline-filled reasons why you need to put it on your adventure list.
1. Abseil the world’s longest commercial drop
Maletsunyane is southern Africa’s highest single drop waterfall and, if you dare, there’s a 204m long rope descent right next to it, which holds the record for the world’s longest commercially operated abseil.
It’s stomach-churning stuff from start to finish, beginning with the drop off the ledge, followed by an extremely exposed straight descent, much of which is suspended in mid-air dangling in the spray of the waterfall.
Once you’ve done it, you can head back and calm down by the fire in the cosy ‘Duck ‘n' Donkey Tavern’ at Semonkong Lodge.
2. Mountain bike through the Sani Valley
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Lesotho is a biking paradise, with wide valleys, mountain passes and oodles of trails and one of the top runs follows the Mkozama River through Sani Valley, including almost 1km of ascent and descent on the Sani Pass.
If you fancy a race, there’s the 3-day Kingdom Enduro in March or the 6-day Lesotho Sky stage race in September, the latter of which combines The Malealea Monster and the Gates of Paradise Pass trails.
When it’s not snowing, the Afriski resort also has plenty of bike routes. And for something a bit different, there’s Lesotho’s only pump track in Roma, which hosted a round of the Red Bull Pump Track World Championship earlier this year.
3. Hike the length of the Drakensberg Escarpment
There are no organised trails in Lesotho but because walking is the main mode of transport the entire country is criss-crossed by footpaths and bridleways. So, if you’ve got map-reading and compass skills you can go anywhere.
This epic, remote 14-20 day trail-less hike runs along the edge of steep drop-off cliffs and is mostly over 3,000m in altitude, with stunning panoramic views all the way. If you’re short on time, it can be split into sections.
It starts at Mahlasela Pass and includes rock pinnacles known as the ‘Barrier of Spears’ and the top of the world’s second highest waterfall, the 600m Tugela Falls, which is just across the border into South Africa.
4. Rock climb Lancer’s Gap
A stone’s throw from the urban sprawl of Maseru, Lancer’s Gap is a short, steep 1,735m-high pass. It cuts through gnarled sandstone formations, where there are two easy-access climbing routes with spectacular views.
There are plenty of other destinations too, mostly trad routes. Drakensburg contains the most, while Semonkong has a gorge lined with shear cliffs of basalt, containing a variety of 10m to 200m trad and sport routes.
5. Drive a 4x4 up the Sani Pass
If you like adrenaline-pumping off-road driving, this rough potholed route from Kwazulu-Natal to Lesotho, which was built in 1950 and has barely been repaired since, is the road for you.
The steep zigzag route climbs up more than a kilometre to reach 2,874m above sea level and ends at the highest pub in Africa – so it may be best to stay the night in the mountain lodge before trying to drive back down again.
Other crazy passes in Lesotho for hair-raising 4x4-ing are Moteng and Molimo Nthuse, the latter meaning ‘God help me’.
6. Ski in Africa’s highest resort
Every winter in the Maluti Mountains, the Afriski resort creates a bizarre man-made slope of snow that delivers one of the most unique ski experiences in the world.
At over 3,000m-high, winter temperatures drop to -5, but rain is rare, so snowmaking machines are used to create a straight 1km run surrounded by barren brown earth.
It’s also home to Kapoko Park, a freestyle zone set up 10 years ago with jumps, rails, and fun boxes.
7. Pony trek to two spectacular hidden waterfalls
The country is famous for its Basotho ponies, a cross between European horses and the shorter Javanese pony. You can hire one to trek almost anywhere, but these two waterfall trips will take your breath away.
The impressively wide, fan-shaped Qiloane Falls is easy to reach, just two hours and 5km up the Makhaleng River from Setibeng.
Ketane Falls, on the other hand, takes four days to get to, but is worth the effort, because it drops 122m into a narrow gorge and is one of the nation’s most beautiful places.
8. Ice climb on Lepaqoa Falls
Ice climbing is possible in the Oxbow and Bokong regions between mid-June until mid-August, depending on conditions and the 60m Lepaqoa Falls, on the rare occasions when it fully forms, is a highlight.
Lepaqoa has a main icefall and a 15m icicle called ‘Siberian Enema’, both graded WI5, with easier climbs at the bottom. In Oxbow, routes range from short boulder-like problems to a 60m two-pitcher at OxbowValley (WI3).
9. Run the Roof of Africa trail
Lesotho has some of the world’s best terrain for high-altitude running and this dramatic 25km trail follows a mountain plateau known as the ‘Roof of Africa’, linking Bokong Nature Reserve with Ts’Ehlanyane National Park.
It’s one of the most unspoilt and underused natural wilderness areas in southern Africa and as you run you may spot rare bearded vultures and pass unique flaky-barked indigenous Ouhout trees.
If you want to race, top events are the 50km Mont-Aux-Sources Challenge, the Lesotho Ultra ‘Skymarathon’ and the Ultra Trail Drakensberg, which includes southern Africa’s highest peak – the 3,482m-high Thabana Ntlenyana.
10. Sample local village culture (and homebrew)
The country is dotted with vibrant villages and one of the most unique adventures you can experience is actually just going to a community and immersing yourself in the local culture.
The welcoming Basotho people will happily show off their dancing festivals and, if the flag’s flying at the local ‘pub’, you can taste ‘Hopos’, a creamy, sour alcoholic drink drunk scooped from a big vat and drunk from a tin.
When, how and where
When to go
Winter (May-Aug) is dry, warm and sunny and while it gets cold at night, it’s good for all activities. Shoulder seasons of spring (Sep) and autumn (April) also work, but in summer (Oct-Mar) it’s rainy season, so it's hot and humid, with regular afternoon thunderstorms that can wash out trails.
How to get there
There are no long-distance international flights into Lesotho, so you have to fly into South Africa. The closest airport is Johannesburg, from where you can reach the gateway capital, Maseru, on a short flight or a four-and-a-half hour drive. Durban and Cape Town are further, but also have good flights.
Where to stay
There are some excellent lodges, many of which also allow camping. Semonkong Lodge is near Maletsunyane Falls; Maliba Lodge is in Ts’ehlanyane NP; Oxbow Lodge is in the Oxbow area; and Sani Mountain Lodge sits on top of the Sani Pass, with Africa’s highest pub.