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