HIKING IN LESOTHO

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.

Located at 2 200 metres, Semonkong Lodge is the starting point for some of the best hikes and trails in Lesotho. Our network of single-track hiking trails are cut only by shepherds and their livestock. We can advise you on everything from leisurely strolls along nature trails to day hikes and guided overnight hikes accompanied by packhorses for those who really love hiking holidays. 

“Which months are the best to hike in Lesotho?” you might wonder. Lesotho is an all-year-round hiking destination with the best hiking conditions in the summer months (between September and May, although April starts cooling down. During the peak of the winter season (May to August) you’ll experience cold evenings and mornings with the possibility of sub-zero temperatures and the chance of snow, which turns this mountainscape into a wondrous winter wonderland.

Day hikes in Lesotho starting from Semonkong Lodge

The Phororo viewpoint hike / Maletsunyane Falls Overlook Trail

• Time: ±3 hours return 
• Difficulty: easy – moderate

This is the easiest and most popular hike from Semonkong Lodge. It takes you to Phororo viewpoint also known as the Maletsunyane Falls Overlook Trail. From here you can gaze upon the spectacular 186-metre single drop waterfall that’s swallowed by the gorge with its 300-metre-high cliffs.

Ka Nokeng hike

• Time: ±5-6 hours return
• Difficulty: moderate (slippery when wet)

This hike allows you to view the majestic Maletsunyane Waterfall from the front and also from the edge, as it cascades over the precipice. This circular route follows the river back to Semonkong Lodge and you can have a refreshing swim in the many fresh-water rock pools along the way to cool off.

Boalathapo Falls hike

• Time: ±5-6 hours return
• Difficulty: moderate

Along this hike you’ll have the chance to see the southern view of Maletsunyane Gorge and canyon. Though Boala-Thapo Waterfall is often overshadowed by its larger brother, it’s a beautiful waterfall hike. Keep an eye out for Vulnerable Cape and Bearded Vultures that nest along the canyon’s cliff face and can be seen circling the thermals  overhead. 

‘Into the Smoke’ hike / Maletsunyane Gorge Hike

• Time: ±5-6 hours return
• Difficulty: Hard – guide recommended

The name of this hiking trail says it all. This six-hour hike (return) takes you along a nature trail to the bottom of Maletsunyane Waterfall. Seeing (and hearing) the waterfall as it plummets into the gorge brings its magnitude into perspective. This is a beautiful place to swim, try your hand at trout fishing during a guided expedition, or to simply sit in awe of nature’s power. We can recommend a number of trained mountain guides from Semonkong community, who will show you the way.  

Guided overnight hikes in Lesotho starting from Semonkong Lodge

Family and community is at the heart of Semonkong Lodge. We work closely with local communities and mountain villages on the principle of responsible and sustainable tourism to provide guided overnight hikes in Lesotho. We hire their Basotho ponies, employ villagers as mountain guides and trekkers, and overnight in traditional huts as guests of local families. If you’re looking for similar outdoor adventures, the lodge also organises thrilling overnight Basotho pony expeditions. 

Our overnight hiking tours in Lesotho are a real outdoor adventure. These bush camping experiences carve their way through seldom-seen areas where there are no showers or flush toilets – only nature and ventilated long-drop toilets. You may wash (using water-friendly toiletries) in a river or stream, and dependant on where we stay, wash basins may be provided in some villages. There is no electricity in these far-out regions of Lesotho, only candles that we’ll provide. 

Should you wish, we can cater for you on our overnight hiking tours, at an additional charge per person. This must be arranged at least 48 hours prior to your arrival at the lodge. Otherwise, we can provide basic cooking equipment and eating utensils should you wish to self cater on overnight hikes. The communal kitchens at Semonkong Lodge are also available before or after your expedition. 

We think this is all part of the adventure and hopefully you’ll agree!

Ketane Waterfall hike

• Duration: 2 days
• Riding: 6-7 hours per day

Ride your Basotho pony into the Thaba Putsoa (meaning blue-grey mountains) Mountains with us. This two-day outride showcases Lesotho’s alpine vegetation and some of the country’s most remote landscapes. With the help of our trusty pack horses, we cross the Ketane River to reach the mountain village where we’ll overnight. From here, the 122-metre-high Ketane Waterfall can only be reached on foot, an hour’s walk from the village.

Ha Letsaba hike

• Duration: 2 days
• Riding: 4-5 hours per day

Once we’ve passed Maletsunyane Falls, we follow the edge of the Maletsunyane gorge for approximately 10km to the village of Ha Letsaba.  The following day we’ll ride back to Semonkong Lodge via the high road. 

What to bring for an overnight hike 

Because of its high elevation, Lesotho’s climate is much cooler than many other regions found along the same latitude. The weather in the mountains can be very unpredictable, which means you need to be prepared for all types of conditions, no matter the time of year. 

• Comfortable, waterproof hiking shoes that are worn in
• A jacket to keep you warm and dry
• Warm, insulating layers that you can take off, and thermal underwear for winter 
• A waterproof rain jacket (for the summer rains), swimwear and a towel
• Torch or headlamp, sunblock, sunglasses and a hat
• Food, snacks and sufficient water in a reuseable water bottle. The restaurant at Semonkong Lodge sells beverages and offers pre-packed lunches on request, which are stored in the ponies’ saddlebags so you don’t have to carry them
• A Camping bedding roll, sleeping bag and pillow (the lodge rents out bedding rolls and sleeping bags for LSL150/person per trip) 
• Water-friendly toiletries
• Camera, fully-charged spare batteries, lots of memory space and a power bank