7 Nights/8 Days Hiking Trails Overnighting In Basotho Villages Experiencing “The Real Africa.”

Your pack bags will be brought to your rooms in the morning where you can pack your gear in soft duffel bags or waterproof plastic bags. After breakfast you will be introduced to your horses and guides.
After signing the indemnity forms and getting your helmets whist the guides strap your bags to the packhorses, you will be given a short briefing about how to ride the horses. Hikers will pack their saddle bags, wait for packhorses to be saddled up and they can start walking.

The terrain is rough with a steep descent, river crossing and steep ascent and once you’re on top of the first valley, the going gets easier. After a few hours, you will get a chance to rest and have a picnic lunch and then it’s only a few more hours to Ha Khotso, you first overnight stop. The Ribaneng Falls have been in full view for the last hour, and we are looking forward to seeing them from close up. We unpack our gear in the hut, brew a cup of tea, and then head for the bottom of the falls, a two hour return hike.
Very impressive they are, two single drops, fifty meters each, and a welcome ice cold pool at the bottom.

Overnight: Ha Khotso – village huts.

This morning is a tough uphill where you go from 1850 meters to 2600 meters via the top of the Ribaneng Falls. We stop here for a break and to admire the view. This pass was aptly named “Slide Your Ass” by the Roof of Africa Rally bikers, which was part of the route until, because of the erosion, it became suicidal impossible to negotiate.
Even the Basotho pony, famous for its surefootedness, has difficulty here. As a matter of interest, in the early trading days under British rule, the ride from Malealea to Semonkong took twelve hours, today it takes up to three days, the old bridle paths are so badly eroded. From the top, it is practically downhill all the way for about three hours, to Ha Hlalele (Georgina’s village) where you will overnight. In the afternoon, you can do a short hike to view the Ketane Waterfall and Gorge, a 122m drop – about 2 hrs.

Overnight: Ha Hlalele – village huts.

World Record Maletsunyane Abseil
This is the longest commercially operated single-drop abseil in the world as stated by Guinness World Records. (204m).
Today is a gentle ride/hike via the spectacular Maletsunyane Falls. Maletsunyane Falls is 204 meter high – the highest single drop falls in South Africa. We view the falls from the top of the gorge and then ride on to Semonkong lodge. The pace today is much easier, though the altitude and terrain can make the going tiring. It feels good to be in civilisation even if it’s for one night. You can order drinks from the bar and good, wholesome food from the restaurant.

Overnight: Lodge – en-suite lodge accommodation.

After a hearty breakfast and collecting our packed lunches we head back to Ketane village. The route is spectacular – even if it’s the same route, you experience different views pony trekking in a different direction. Georgina welcomes us back to Ketane. You can hike to the top of Ketane falls in the afternoon if you did not do this on the previous occasion. This takes about 2 hrs.
Overnight: Ha Hlalele – village huts.

The ride takes about 6 hours. It’s an easy ride as you the route takes you along the top of the mountains.

PLEASE NOTE: When the Makhaleng River is in flood, we have to use the bridge which will add about 2 hours to the ride.
You descend into the Valley of Paradise, where you are welcomed with hot showers and the comforts of Malealea Lodge. You can enjoy a hearty home cooked meal and much camaraderie round the fire in the evening.
Paradise Pass (2001m).
Overnight: at Lodge.

Depart Lodge after breakfast , for Maseru airport. The tour will finish off by visiting Morija, named after the biblical Mt. Moriah. Established in 1956. Morija has maintained the magic that first attracted the missionaries. It is the only forested village in Lesotho, with every road lined with trees, some of which dating back more than a century.
Hidden between the trees is the historic ‘mother church’, as well as the schools, the printing works, the hospital, the museum and other institutions established by the missionaries.