from 2 reviews
8 Days
Daily Tour
10 people
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The treks are usually about 7 hours each day. The huts and horses are hired from the Basotho people in remote areas. The huts are very basic and are equipped with a gas cooker, cooking & eating utensils, mattresses on the floor, and a bucket of water. On trek you experience “THE REAL AFRICA”, staying in Basotho villages. The trails traverse spectacular mountain passes and some of Lesotho’s highest waterfalls. Basotho Guides and a packhorse accompany the treks.
This is an adventure at your own risk!
Your name ,number and next of Kin to be left at reception, before departure!
Indemnity forms are to be signed!
We supply-
Cutlery, crockery, pots and pans.
Mattresses on the floor at the overnight huts.
Gas cooker
Bucket of fresh spring water for cooking, drinking and washing. (If you have a sensitive stomach use water purification tablets or boil the water first before drinking).
What to bring-
Sleeping Bags or you can hire sleeping bags from the Lodge-own cost ,but not very warm! For Summer only!
Rain Suit & Warm clothing
Sunscreen & Hat
Torch, Candles or Gas Light
Water Bottle – Water Purifying Tablets (Optional)
First Aid Kit
Suggested items of Clothing Other necessary items
Change of clothing
Long sleeve trousers and long sleeve shirt.
Short sleeve shirt and shorts
Warm Fleece and Rain Jacket/Suit
Wide-brim hat and Sunscreen
Scarf around Neck.
Extra pair of shoes
Swim suit Toiletries
Towel
White gold (Toilet Paper)
Dish washing liquid, dish sponge/cloth and drying cloth
Black Bin Bags
Bottle opener/can opener
Swiss army knife
Tupperware containers
Should you have a small camping stove, bring it along just in case.
General Information!
• Every guest on tour is entering a rural and unspoiled African terrain. Therefore it is necessary to travel with a flexible and tolerant mind.
• Accommodations, bathroom facilities and meals are at most places very basic, simple and rustic.
• Most lunch stops base on packed lunches or picnic meals.
• There are no toilet facilities on route or very seldom.
• We reserve the right to alter any routes or itineraries should circumstances, like weather, road conditions, unforeseen obstacles, etc. so demand.
• Some accommodations use generators for the supply of electricity, which switches off at 22:00, and gas geysers for hot water supply.
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After lunch at lodge a local guide will take you on a +- 3 hours hike to view San Rock Art Paintings.
The San Rock Art painted onto the walls of bare rock ,are the best descriptions ,I’ve not seen preserved in a very long time!
Once reaching these caves our guide will give a descriptive history of the San People and their nomadic history throughout Lesotho. The description of the paintings will be described and each illustration will be discussed in detail!
The ascent back will be uphill all the way and stops will be made for photographs and a rest stops along the way. Arrival back at Malealea Lodge in time for local dancing and the local band ,which have hand-made instruments.
Dinner back at Lodge.
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.
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