The kingdom in the sky - travel to Lesotho.

This mountainous kingdom has a myriad of jaw-dropping scenery that will urge you to satiate your wanderlust. The beautiful views of Maseru district include the beautifully chiselled mountain, by God,  to look like a lion and the views from atop Thaba Bosiu with so many table mountains. 

It is home to the highest pub in Africa, the highest lowest point in the world and lastly the highest mountain in Southern Africa. This kingdom in the sky will afford you an experience to ski on snow in Southern Africa (https://www.afriski.net/). This should be reason enough to visit this absolute monarch just a 5-hour drive or a 55-minute flight from Johannesburg.

To experience Lesotho's culture, riding a horse as a mosotho is mandatory. If it wasn’t for the tall price (roughly M800-900) of a seanamorena (the blanket), I would have grabbed one as a very memorable souvenir and because I think I am a lost Sotho. However, Shoeshoe (pronounced shewshew) the richly printed material was the cheaper alternative (M55 per meter) that did just the trick. 

Yes, now let’s talk about how you can plan to experience Lesotho:

1 Loti (plural Maloti) is equivalent to 1 N$ (1 Namibian dollar)and 1R (1 Rand).

Transport: A one-way flight will cost you about M1200-2800 whereas a 5-hour bus ride from Johannesburg to Maseru is  M240. 
Sedans, referred to as 4 plus 1, are the local mode of transportation with fares between M6.50 to M50 within the city including outskirts within a 12 km radius. They have a local version of Uber, without an app just yet, known as Top-taxi and only contactable on (+266) 50637822 or (+266) 67994533. 

Your “guide” and photographer: I cannot rave enough about Justice Kalebe. He has travelled all 10 provinces of Lesotho! How many people can truly say that they have travelled all regions of their motherland? Prior to visiting Lesotho, I’d never known of a Justice. I'm immensely grateful to Dozana, whom I e-met through a hashtag on Instagram, for introducing me him. He is reachable on his email and his instagram. 

Accommodation: I stayed in an apartment style b&b with two bedrooms, a kitchenette, lounge, bathroom with HOT water. This was all for M205 per night. Justice kalebe short-term stay .

Sights and activities in Maseru: 

1. Likatola (pronounced Dikatola) horse riding and adventure about 10km outside Maseru. Here you will indulge in mouth-watering Lesotho trout, probably the best trout you’ll ever have! You can also have a horse riding experience as a mosotho for M80. A seanamorena/kobo (the blanket) will be provided, so don't stress.  Hopefully, at this point, you have purchased a mokorotlo – the Sotho hat. This, I must add, was the highlight of my trip.

2. Thaba Bosiu to hike the mountain and to visit the cultural village. Top taxi charge you M250 from Maseru city, whereas 4+1s will charge you M150. The hike up Thaba Bosiu mountain is M20 for the locals and M4o for foreigners. If you don't have trainers for whatever reason, there is a modern trail - stairs to get you to the top. There are 41 chalets available with price ranges from M950-1200 but book as a group for M750. www.thevillage.co.ls and thababosiuculvil@gmail.com or (+266) 50221962/ 27021962 

3. Check out the Mokorotlong for a couple of reasons: apart from the meals you can have inside the restaurant, you can take pictures outside a massive "mokorotlo" and lastly grab an awesome memorabilia of a mokorotlo just opposite this beautiful building from the street vendors. The mokorotlo that you have seen in the pictures above costs around M100-120. Whereas, a key holder size mokorotlos will cost you R10. 

4. Spetzos! If you appreciate food just as much as I do, do NOT leave Maseru without checking out this place. The most scrumptious and delicious pizza you will most probably ever have. They are located at Sefika Shopping centre and you can have a look at the price ranges on their website www.spetzos.co.Is 

5. I cannot talk about Maseru and not mention Ulalala and the rendezvous restaurant for chilled vibes. It is in Maseru city, trust me, you will find it. 

I cannot finish off this blog without thanking these two amazing souls for showing me love, welcoming me into their country, sharing their precious time and for being awesome. Dozana on the left followed by Thato. 

To Justice, I am immensely grateful for the awesome pictures (about half of the pictures on this post were captured by him), for having been my tour guide and for being super!

Yours always in budget travel, adventure and exploring, 

Talesindano (Tah- le-sin-dhano)

I tried to relay all the prices according to my research and from experience. Prices might be subject to change. All figures shared should be used as ballpark figures.