| Enclosed by South Africa on all sides, but separated | | | | descends to the western lowlands where all the major |
| from it by the huge Drakensberg and Maluti mountain | | | | towns are to be found and where two thirds of the |
| ranges, the mountainous kingdom of Lesotho is small | | | | population live. Maseru, the capital, is a fascinating city |
| and rounded in shape, situated on a plateau of over | | | | of contrasting modern and traditional lifestyles. |
| 3,281ft (1,000m), with peaks reaching to heights of | | | | Blanket-clad horsemen sidestep the traffic jams on |
| more than 10,000ft (3,000m). Sani Pass is a | | | | their way to market, and woven handicrafts are |
| breathtaking entry point into Lesotho from South | | | | displayed on the busy pavements outside new glass |
| Africa's Drakensberg National Park and is the | | | | buildings filled with self-important office workers. |
| gateway to the 'Roof of Africa' scenic route, linking the | | | | Time spent in Lesotho will allow visitors to observe an |
| magnificent scenery of the two mountain ranges. | | | | African country filled with an extraordinary appeal, a |
| Popularly described as the 'Kingdom in the Sky', the | | | | kingdom of rugged beauty and unchanging culture that |
| lofty highlands are characterised by majestic mountain | | | | remains natural and largely unaffected by tourism. |
| scenery, crisp mountain air and the simple serenity of | | | | Weather conditions in Lesotho vary greatly depending |
| the traditional lifestyles of its people. Pony trekking is | | | | on the altitude. Summer is the hot, rainy season from |
| one of the finest ways to experience the Lesotho | | | | October to April, with the hottest days in January and |
| highlands, with time spent in remote Basotho villages | | | | February, and the most rain falling between March and |
| scattered among the grassy hills, where waterfalls | | | | May and October and November. Days are sunny |
| saturate the surrounding rocks with rainbow-coloured | | | | with afternoon electric thunderstorms, and |
| mist and crystal clear streams criss-cross the | | | | temperatures range from around 86ºF |
| landscape. The region is also perfect for those who | | | | (30°C) in the lowlands with cooler temperatures |
| prefer to test the sure-footedness of their own two | | | | as the altitude increases, averaging about 64°F |
| feet, with miles of solitary scenery to appreciate, an | | | | (18°C) in the mountains. Snow falls mainly in winter |
| abundance of trout in the rivers and dams and the | | | | from May to September, but can occur in the |
| assurance of a warm and friendly welcome in the | | | | mountains at any time of year. Winter can be bitterly |
| rugged mountain hamlets. The central highlands is | | | | cold, particularly in the highlands, but days are usually |
| home to the highest waterfall in southern Africa, the | | | | clear and sunny. Temperatures can fall to 20°F |
| Maletsunyane Falls near Semonkong, meaning 'Place | | | | (-7°C) in the lowlands and 0°F (-18°C) in |
| of Smoke', which thunders from a height of 624ft | | | | the highlands. At any time of year the weather can |
| (192m) and is at its most spectacular during the | | | | change very rapidly in the highlands from warm |
| summer rainy season. | | | | sunshine to mist, rain and freezing temperatures. |
| From the heights of the Maluti Mountains, the land | | | | Come for a visit. |