MALEALEA LODGE - ADVENTURE AND PONY TREK CENTRE - MALUTI MOUNTAINS - LESOTHO
Lesotho is a world without fences. Breathtaking scenery abounds and every season has unique attractions. Malealea Lodge is run by the owners, Mick & Di Jones, both born in Lesotho and credited with more local knowledge than anyone. Various Basotho Children's choirs and a Local Basotho Band, using their local home-made instruments, entertain the guests in the evenings around a campfire.Malealea is situated in a remote part of Western Lesotho, breathtaking in its beauty and a chance to experience traditional Basotho life.

ACTIVITIES:
Malealea outings range from 1 hour to 6 days or longer...tailor-made to your requirements. Our treks are usually about 7 hours each day, no riding experience is necessary all the huts and horses are hired from the Basotho people in Lesotho’s remote areas.

The huts are very basic and are equipped with a gas cooker, cooking & eating utensils and mattresses on the floor. On trek you experience "THE REAL AFRICA"; The trails traverse spectacular mountain passes and some of Lesotho's highest waterfalls exploring Bushman paintings and experiencing "Basotho culture".

Basotho Guides and a packhorse accompany the treks. All treks & trails are tailor made to suit your requirements, flexibility and your needs are paramount at Malealea.

OVERNIGHT TREKS
* These Outings range from 1 hour to six days or longer: tailor-made to your requirements.
* The treks are usually about 7 hours each day. No riding experience is necessary.
* 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 and eating utensils and mattresses on the floor.
* On your trek you experience "THE REAL AFRICA".
* The trails traverse spectacular mountain passes and some of Lesotho's highest waterfalls exploring Bushman paintings and experiencing "Basotho culture".
* Basotho Guides and a packhorse accompany the treks.
* Maximum weight = 90 kg Luggage = 12.5 kg pp

* The Ribaneng Waterfall - 2 days and 1 night in a village
* The Ribaneng and Mountain pass Trek - 3 days and 2 nights in villages
* The Ribaneng and Ketane Waterfall Trek - 4 days and 3 nights in villages
* The Ribaneng and Ketane and Maletsunyane Trek - 5 days and 4 nights in villages
* The Ribaneng Ketane and Maletsunyane Trek - 6days and 5 nights in villages.

WHAT TO BRING:
Food, Sleeping Bags, Rain suit, Warm Clothing, Towels, Hat, Torch, Water Bottle and First Aid Kit

SPECIAL: "GO ANYWHERE TREK"
Bring your own cooking equipment and mattresses and explore Lesotho with a Basotho Guide, discovering new routes and remote villages.

SUGGESTED ITINERARIES TO COMPLEMENT A SOUTHERN AFRICAN TOUR
TOUR 1 A 2 day Horse Trek. 1 night in a Basotho village (ROUGH AND TOUGH) - 2 nights at Malealea Lodge

TOUR 2 Day Pony Treks and Hikes or Scenic Drives with 3 nights at Malealea Lodge-Comfortable

TOUR 3 Trekking and Hiking Holiday experiencing Real Africa: 4 nights at Malealea Lodge, 4 days trekking and 3 nights in Basotho Villages. This tour can be made shorter as you require.

Lesotho adventures start at Malealea, exploring the day outings before travelling across the country.

SUGGESTED ROUTES:
Johannesburg (500km):
Kroonstad, Ventersburg, Senekal,Marquard, Clocolan, Ladybrand, Maseru, Motsekuoa, Malealea

Durban (700km):
Harrismith, Golden Gate, Clarens, Ficksburg, Ladybrand, Maseru, Motsekuoa, Malealea

Cape Town (1000km):
Colesburg, Smithfield, Rouxville, Zastron, Wepener, Mafeteng, Motsekuoa, Malealea
(Overnight at Pula-House in Smithfield ex CT)

Bloemfontein (200km):
Dewetsdorp, Wepener, Mafeteng, Motsekuoa, Malealea

LESOTHO LAW: PLEASE HAVE 2 RED TRIANGLES IN YOUR VEHICLE IN LESOTHO.

ROAD BLOCKS: You are required to STOP at the STOP SIGN and WAIT for the police to signal to you to drive forward to where he is standing!!!. Most people pause at the Stop sign and drive up to the policeman without waiting for his signal. The police are very friendly when the above two conditions are in order.

The Road Blocks are only occasional (more often on Long Week-ends & Holidays) and usually a routine Drivers Licence, Lights, etc road check and no problem at all!!!

4x4 DRIVING ADVENTURES:
JOBO ADVENTURE Mountain Drive Ribaneng Valley, first section - all vehicles last section, strictly experienced 4x4 drivers...

Start out at Malealea Lodge, drive for 3 km, follow the left fork at Likhohloaneng for another 3 km, until you go through "The Gates of Paradise Pass". A spectacular view of the "Roof of Africa". Follow this road for another 1 km and turn left. Following this road you will have a good view of the gorge on the right, snow capped mountains (in winter) and villages scattered around. Up to this point it is a very good all weather road. After 7 km driving on a plateau, you will reach the village of Ha Qaba. There are a few potholes and an average of 40 - 50 km/h is advised. The road winds down to the Sekering, with a beautiful gorge on the left. 9 km from Qaba, the road makes a 180 degree turn to the river on the left. Follow this small two track road for 400m along the riverbank. Turn right at the poplar trees (good picnic spot) to cross the river. Here a high lift jack or a second vehicle would be recommended. Our Basotho Guide asked me the Million Dollar question, after being stuck in the river sand for 30 minutes, "Why do you go through the river if the bridge is just around the corner???" This is open to suggestions! Follow the road left up the escarpment on the opposite river bank. Follow the two track road straight into the village, Kakoanyane and turn left onto the "main road". Follow this road past the Ribaneng High School. When you have travelled 9 km from the river, the road will fork, take the right fork. (The left fork will take you down the pass into the Ribaneng valley- also a great trip to explore). Follow this winding road through villages for another 4 km, on the main road. Here you must take the right fork, the road is badly eroded and a 4 x 4 is recommended. As you follow the winding roads through the villages, remember the following code of makeshift flags, colouring the landscape. Stop and sample, if you dare, the following goods:

White flag - Beer made of Sorghum - recommended for a strong stomach.
Yellow flag - Beer made of Barley
Green flag - selling vegetables.
Red flag - selling meat.

BOTSOELA WATERFALL DRIVE. 2wd & 4x4 vehicles in DRY WEATHER ONLY
A leisurely hours return. ORDINARY VEHICLES, but spectacular for 4 x 4's. A morning drive past the Botsoela waterfall and circular route through remote villages back to Malealea. Road is quite good and not really 4 x 4 , but magnificent scenery. The road hugs the side of a mountain, also a hand-built road. Drive back towards the "Gates of Paradise Pass". Take the right fork at 3 kms from Malealea Lodge. Continue for 14.1 kms and leave the vehicle at the bottom of the pass. En-route the 14.1 kms do not take the road going straight, but turn sharp right to go down the pass. To get to the top of the waterfall look out point, hike downstream for about 500m on the right side of the stream. Hike over the small stream and continue around the top of the gorge to the far point. This is the best view of the waterfall and Botsoela stream gorge. The first view of the waterfall is not the best one. From here, on the left hand side of the stream, you can see the path going down to the waterfall, if you wish to join the pony trekkers. Continue the drive from the waterfall up the pass for about 5 kms until you reach the view point.

Walk up a small hill to view the panoramic scene of Malealea and it's valleys. Either backtrack to the lodge with views in opposite directions or: Continue on a circular route taking all the left turns, until you are back at Malealea via "The Gates of Paradise." This will take about 2 ½ hours.

ALL AROUND MALEALEA ARE 4 X 4 TRACKS INTO REMOTE VILLAGES WAITING TO BE EXPLORED.
Malealea Lodge can arrange Basotho companions or Professional Guides to accompany you around Lesotho on a camping trip introducing you to the local chiefs, ensuring that you are well looked after. You may camp privately or enjoy the hospitality of the local villages. In Lesotho it is etiquette to introduce yourself to the headman or local chief. WE encourage you to pay a small fee for your stay in his area. More often than not, he will send someone to guard your campsite.

Malealea can tailor make your trips to suit your requirements. eg, really remote areas, camping in Basotho villages or lodge to lodge. Shorter trips and backtracking to Malealea.

SCENIC BACK ROUTE TO MALEALEA FROM ROMA & SEMONKONG
Take the back route on the A3, turn left towards Roma, drive on the Semonkong Road. At Moitsupeli, where the tar ends, turn right, drive one kilometre, turn left past Tlali Trading station and drive for 35km. At a T-junction, turn left to Malealea via Sebelekoane for another 35kms (There is a Malealea Sign at the T-junction, but often gets knocked down by bored herdboys!) From Sebelekoane to Malealea is one of the most spectacular drives hugging along the mountainside overlooking sandstone valleys passing by the Botsoela waterfall, as you descend and ascend an almost miniature "Sani Pass".

We can arrange for Basotho companions to travel with clients in their 4x4 vehicles introducing them to various villages, where they can camp overnight and be welcomed and protected by the various villages. This will encourage and involve tourism with the local Basotho people. At the moment people are just camping anywhere in full view of passing traffic along the roadside. We have made contact with various villages that are just off the main roads and people can enjoy a "Special Basotho Experience".

AN ALTERNATIVE AND SCENIC ROUTE TO MALEALEA FROM MAFETENG.
Drive back to Mafeteng, turn left at the first junction and continue for a few kms on the tar. Take the turning to the left on a gravel road. This road continues past Thaba Tsoeu and comes out at Matelile (Seeiso). Turn Right and continue a few kms to the Malealea sign. Turn Left and drive over the Gates of Paradise Pass 7 kms to Malealea.

Spend 1 or 2 days at Malealea participating in one of our activities

4 x 4 Adventure Trip to Jobo or short 4 x 4 trips to nearby villages
Day Pony treks or Hiking Trails to nearby Waterfalls, Bushman paintings or the Pitseng Canyon
Overnight Pony treks 1 - 6 days to Ribaneng, Ketane, Semonkong Waterfalls.

4 hour drive from Malealea to Semonkong about 150kms:

This route is over magnificent mountain passes. Take the road to the Botsoela Waterfall via Sebelekoae Mission, Raleqheka mission taking all the right turns until you get to the tar road. Turn right and continue to Semonkong. At the weir near Semonkong turn right to view the Maletsunyane Waterfall 192 m single drop.

3 hour drive from Semonkong to Roma

10 minute drive, Roma to Thaba Bosiu

Visit Thaba Bosiu, where King Moshoeshoe 1 founded the Basotho Nation. The Lesotho Tourist Board Information Centre have guides to take you up the mountain and explain the history of the Basotho Nation.

Enjoy a pool lunch at the Lesotho Sun before continuing to Oxbow Lodge. Near Teyateyaneng, on the right hand side, is a turn-off to the Helang Basali Mohair Weaving & Tapestry Centre.

On the left hand side entering Leribe is the Leribe Craft Centre. Handicapped Basotho people sell Wool & Mohair Jerseys and other curios. Continue up the Moteng Pass 2840m to Oxbow Lodge. Or turn right at Leribe to Katse Dam.

SOUTHERN LESOTHO ROUTE
TRANS LESOTHO: MALEALEA - SANI PASS - SOUTHERN ROUTE

These are quieter roads, very few tourists use this route. Spectacular sandstone passes along the Orange River valley. Completely different to the Central & Northern routes of Lesotho.
(This tour can be shortened to a 4 DAY TRIP)

Day 1 Arrive at Malealea

Day 2 Spend the day exploring the Malealea "Gates of Paradise Pass" area either 4 x 4, pony treks or hikes.

Day 3 Malealea, Mpharane, Mohaleshoek - Seaka Bridge. Just before Seaka bridge, turn left and drive along a track for 92 kms to the village of Nohana. On the left hand side lives Chief Nohana who will welcome you to his beautiful village. Camping. Beautiful sandstone cliffs and gorges. Trout fishing in the nearby Ketane river.

Day 4 You have to back track to the Senqu River, but the views back are spectacular and unspoilt. The historical cave house of Rev Ellenberger & his family is at the Masitise Primary School just before Quthing. He established the Paris Evangelical mission in 1835. Here you can view a dinosaur footprint embedded in the roof of the cave and the local priest will tell you about the history of the families. Just past the turnoff to Mt. Moorosi from Quthing are more Dinosaur Footprints embedded in the rock. There is a Danish-government sponsored complex at the sight alongside the road a few hundred metres from the turn off. Drive past Mt Moorosi and up the nearby mountain away from the main town. Introduce yourself to the chief or head man and find a campsite. A spectacular view overlooking the Orange or Senqu River. Here is the Mt. Moorosi mountain, well known for the gun war of Chief Moorosi and the Cape Mounted Rifles. (Old bullets are still found on the mountain & Paul Kruger's inscription is inside one of the caves.)

Day 5 Either continue on the tar road to the Seforong Gorge, one of the most spectacular sights, where two rivers meet in two canyons. At the Ha Reeng School sign turn left into the first village and ask for Paulus Thelang. This is difficult 4 x 4 track to traverse, but full of excitment trying to get to one of the most beautiful sites in Lesotho. Take a hike down to the confluence of the Orange River. Option to drive through the Mokoaes Valley, turn off to Letsies lake, backtrack and continue to Mphaki and onto Seforong. (You will need an extra day, the variations are endless)

Day 6 Continue to Sehalabathebe National park, where you can overnight at a basic lodge.

Day 7 From Sehlabathebe, drive over the Matebeng Pass and camp en-route.

Day 8 Continue via Sehonghong to Sani Pass.