Greetings my tropical sunlights 🌴
In this new series of guides, I will share for each country of this beautiful blue planet my unofficial and personal selection of the 7 wonders, things to do, rare gems, activities that are out of the ordinary, crazy and unusual experiences!
Let's go to the kingdom in the sky, Lesotho for this 2nd episode 🇱🇸
Tropically Yours.
1) Have a drink in the highest pub of Africa at Sani pass
The Sani Pass in the Drakensberg Mountains is one of the most beautiful and dramatic roads in the world. It is one of the crossing points between South Africa and Lesotho. You will need a good 4x4 to drive the winding and rocky tracks to the top at almost 2900m. You will find the highest pub of all Africa and I advise you to refresh yourself with a good pint to decompress from the ultra boring but very beautiful climb!
2) Afriski
Skiing in Africa? Yes my friends, it is possible! You just have to go to the Afriski resort, one of the only 2 ski resorts in the South of the African continent. Yes, the resort has only one slope, but damn, skiing with zebras and lions is a killer! Mehmehmeh there are no lions and zebras in Lesotho, who cares, it's still skiing in Africa and if like me you want to ski in every possible country, you'll have to go to Lesotho to put your boots on.
3) Lesotho crossing from west to east
Lesotho is a small landlocked country in the middle of South Africa. It is perched in the mountains and offers breathtaking landscapes that have earned it the nickname "Switzerland of Africa". To enjoy all that this little gem has to offer, one of the best ways to see it properly is simply to cross the whole country from east to west. I think that doing this on horseback or by bike is the best way to fully enjoy the nature and the experience. I advise you to go through the national parks of Sehlabathebe and Ts'ehlanyane (if you wish), it's a real treat.
4) Abseiling down the Maletsunyane Falls
Maletsunyane Falls is probably the most famous natural landmark of the country. They are located in the region of Semonkong, the extreme capital of the country. I love everything extreme and doing the longest (commercial) abseiling in the world makes me feel particularly good, guiliguili. 204m on the side of the cliffs is pure madness. If it's too slow I can always go back up and jump with a little parachute from the top of the falls like the dude on the 3rd video!
5) Complete the Drakensberg Grand Traverse
For me this trek through the damned dragon mountains is in the top level of what is done in Africa. 220 km in 10 to 15 days on the green and vertiginous ridges of the Drakensberg. The legs will scream but the eyes will shine. On the program the Mafadi 3450m summit of South Africa at the border of Lesotho, the Thabana 3482m the roof of Lesotho and of course all the other wonders of this superb great crossing.
6) Meet the Basotho culture
The Basotho people are one of the only African tribes to live in a mountain environment. I invite you to go and meet them and discover their art. Their blankets are beautiful and their mythical hats, the emblem of the country. The cave dwellings of Kome are also a must of the Basotho heritage. It is the people we meet that shape our travels, so don't hesitate to mingle, meet and learn from others.
7) Fly fishing for trout in Semonkong
Back in the capital of extreme Lesotho for a completely different type of activity but just as extreme. Ladies and gentlemen: fly fishing for trout. A small fly bzzz bzzz at the end of a stick and we wait for the trout bloup bloup until paf the fly is ruined. Here is a fresh trout ready to be cooked in this exceptional setting.
Alexandre Hubin