Semonkong Lodge offers a selection of adventure experiences and cultural tours in the Lesotho Kingdom, whether you want to abseil down a waterfall, go birdwatching, fly fishing, pony trekking or do a pub crawl on the back of a donkey. Our diverse range of adventure and cultural activities is what makes us one of the best places to stay in Lesotho.
Find more details about what to do in Lesotho at the adventure activity hut near our reception. All activity prices are subject to change without prior notification.
You can conquer the world’s longest single-drop commercial abseil with Semonkong Lodge in Lesotho. This Guinness World Records abseil is the ultimate outdoor adventure that showcases Lesotho’s undeniable beauty and nature’s indomitable power. More than 7 000 people have already abseiled 204 metres down the vertical cliff alongside Maletsunyane Falls, rappelling themselves into the whirling mist that rises from the gorge below. And they have the certificate to prove it!
While Lesotho boasts some of the world’s best hiking trails that traverse the Maluti Mountains, pony trekking is the ideal alternative for those who want to experience the country’s spectacular sights without having to exert themselves. Even though Basotho ponies appear stocky at first glance, they are hardy creatures. And you need to be if you’re living at altitudes that easily surpass 2 000m and also regularly undertake the rocky mountain trails to Semonkong town for supplies.
With the Drakensberg and Maluti mountains as your playground, you’ll quickly understand why Lesotho is called the Mountain Kingdom! It’s the most mountainous country in Africa and the only independent state in the world to lie entirely above 1 000 metres. In fact, Lesotho’s lowest point (1 400m) is the highest low point of any country – making it an ideal destination for high-altitude training and to marvel at alpine flora and fauna. It goes without saying then that you can explore Lesotho’s countless hiking trails, mountain biking routes and horseback riding tracks right from Semonkong Lodge.
Don’t forget to bring your mountain bike on a visit to Semonkong Lodge as we are located on the doorstep of some of the best mountain biking trails in Lesotho, and indeed southern Africa. With our soaring peaks measuring some 3 000m, steep valleys, untouched wilderness and river crossings, Semonkong offers countless blood-pumping biking adventures. From here, MTB riders can embark on a variety of unmarked trails that cater to different skill levels, regardless of whether you’re starting out as a mountain biker or if you’re already an offroad adrenaline junkie. The high-altitude terrain varies from divisional gravel roads that climb out of the valley (2 200m) in all directions from the lodge to horse trails and contour tracks that offer tougher, more technical rides.
Lesotho is one of the most popular countries for 4×4 driving in southern Africa and home to the world-famous Sani Pass that connects it to South Africa. With precipitous inclines, rough terrain, rocky descents, and water crossings – Lesotho’s got it all when it comes to putting your vehicle (and 4WD driving skills) to the test. If we may say so ourselves, the area surrounding Semonkong Lodge, with its numerous 4×4 routes of varying difficulty levels, is one of the best spots to try out your off-roading capabilities. Prepare to see spectacular sights along the way.
Semonkong Lodge is a bucket-list destination for any serious fisherman, with the chance to catch a 10-pound (4.5kg) wild brown trout in a natural river. Stocked in the mid-1950s, today Maletsunyane River has a strong population of brown and rainbow trout that rivals those in the best trophy rivers around the world. This is all thanks to ample water flow, abundant food and minimal fishing pressure due to our catch-and-release policy.
Much like any ‘fishing lodge’ (though we’re so much more than that with a multitude of other activities), we’re located right on the banks of the Maletsunyane River, with brown trout fishing experiences upstream and the chance to hook a rainbow trout or an endemic yellow fish downstream. Seasoned anglers challenge themselves to a so-called ‘grand slam’ of catching all three wild river species during a multi-day fishing trip that we can tailor-make.
Basotho ponies are an integral part of everyday life in Semonkong and Lesotho. This hybrid breed of the traditional Cape Horse is favoured for its stocky physical attributes, resilience and hard-working nature. While locals use them for everyday activities, such as the transport of people and goods, farming and livestock herding, we hire Basotho ponies from the Semonkong community to use as packhorses for our guided multi-day fishing expeditions and overnight pony trekking trails.
Semonkong Lodge supports responsible ecotourism and community collaboration that’s mutually beneficial for the community and travellers. We do things consciously and always want our guests to have organic interactions with the people who live in town, without anything being scripted or put on show. What you’ll see during our three cultural community tours is a true representation of daily life in Semonkong. It gives you the opportunity to have sincere interactions, to ask questions, and to learn more about the history, heritage, culture and way of life in our beloved Lesotho. In partnership with our local community, we offer three guided cultural tours around Semonkong town. These include a walking tour of Semonkong, a traditional Basotho blanket presentation, and a donkey pub crawl.