Deflate the ordinary and gear down for a journey through Lesotho’s magnificent Mountain Kingdom.
Guided self-drive convoy
Border logistics handled for you
On this guided self-drive 4×4 tour, we will traverse the mountains of the Mountain Kingdom, a land of valleys, rivers and winding, tortuous passes; where dinosaurs once roamed and now where goats, sheep, and cattle roam freely.
Lesotho, often referred to as the “Switzerland of Africa,” with its high mountains, usually covered with snow in winter, offers the tourist and particularly the 4×4 adventurer, the opportunity to experience something quite unique.
This is one of the few countries in the world that is completely bordered by only one other country. It is also the country with the highest low altitude point in the world. This means its altitude tops that of Tibet. Today it boasts the highest commercial waterfall abseil (204 m) in the world alongside the Maletsunyane Fall in Semonkong. It is home to the endangered bearded vulture, the bald ibis, and the spiral aloe. This aloe is only found in one other location, in India, giving credence to continental drift. There are over 400 Alpine flora species, 190 being endemic.
Lesotho lays claim to a dinosaur being named after it, the Lesothosaurus, which lived 200-208 million years ago and left its footprints in various areas of the country. The kingdom’s valleys with abundant sandstone caves and overhangs are also rich in San paintings.
Another must visit is the Lesotho Highlands Water Project that was started in mid-1980. Today it has the massive Katse and Mohale Dams to supplement water for Gauteng and supply electricity for Lesotho.
In 1824, King Moshoeshoe moved with his 4000 followers to Thaba Bosiu, the symbolic home of the Basotho nation. From there they were able to repulse attacks by Shaka’s Impis, the Boers and the British. In 1868, after many attacks on the Basotho, King Moshoeshoe sought intervention by Britain who annexed the Kingdom of Basutoland. It remained a British Protectorate until Independence in October 1966 when it became Lesotho.
Join Live the Journey as we embark on a trip to discover the many gems of Lesotho.
Highlights
- Sani Pass — the iconic gravel ascent to 2,876 m, and the highest pub in Africa
- Katse Dam — the highest dam wall in Africa, one of only thirty double-curved arch dams in the world
- Maletsunyane Falls — 192 m, home to the world’s longest commercially operated abseil
- Thaba Bosiu — Moshoeshoe I’s mountain stronghold
- Liphofung Cave — San rock art beneath a sandstone overhang
- Sehlabathebe National Park — a photographer’s landscape of sculpted rock formations
- Malealea — a full day at leisure, with pony rides, hiking trails, and a village craft shop
- The Lesotho blanket talk at Semonkong — a short, worthwhile detour into local ceremony and symbolism
Eleven days across the Roof of Africa.
Matatiele
Group members make their own way to Matatiele in the northern part of the Eastern Cape Province. Check in at the accommodation, meet your fellow tour members, and attend a tour briefing which will be followed by dinner. Our tour guide is Philip Rawlins, the owner of Resthaven Guesthouse and someone with a passion for Lesotho who knows all the hidden gems of the country.
Matatiele to Oxbow Lodge
Breakfast and check-out. Depart for the Lesotho border. Depart through the southern Drakensberg to Sani Pass, the most iconic gravel pass in South Africa, summiting at 2876m via 11 unforgettable switchbacks. Celebrate at the Highest Pub in Africa before tackling four more mountain passes — Khotisephola, Menoaneng, Lithunyia and Tlaeng (3251m, the highest point of the whole tour) — en route to Oxbow Lodge on the banks of the Mailbamatsoe River.
Oxbow Lodge to Hlotse/Leribe
Today we cross the Mahlasela and Moteng Passes before stepping into history at Liphofung Cave, once a stopover for King Moshoeshoe the Great and still holding San rock art and Stone Age artefacts. From there it’s on to the Muela Hydro Power Plant to see the turbines behind the mighty Katsedam water system, then a stop at the Leribe Craft Centre for local souvenirs. Our overnight stop is in Hlotse/Leribe.
Leribe to Thaba Tseka
Climb the Mafika Lisiu and Laitsoka Passes en route to Katse Dam, Africa’s highest dam and one of the ten largest concrete arch dams in the world. The Katse Dam forms part of the great Lesotho Highlands Water Project. This is an ongoing water supply project with a hydropower component, developed in partnership between the governments of Lesotho and South Africa. Then it’s onward by gravel road to Thaba Tseka, the young capital of its own district, established only in 1980.
Thaba Tseka to Thaba Bosiu
We drive more passes today: Mokhoabong Pass (2900 m), Pass of Jackals (2692 m), Cheche Pass (2553 m), Likalaneng Pass (2638 m), Blue Mountain Pass (2633 m), God Help Me Pass (2318 m) and Bushmens Pass (2265 m) before we visit Koma Cave Dwellings. A handful of families still inhabit the Kome Caves, nestled within a rocky mountain. The caves are now a heritage site, first occupied about 200 years ago by local tribes seeking shelter. Our journey proceeds to Thaba Bosiu. Thaba Bosiu is a sandstone plateau, at the historic and spiritual heart of the Sotho Kingdom, in Lesotho. Rising to an altitude of 1,800 m this near-impregnable sandstone plateau served as the residence and military stronghold of Moshoeshoe I, the kingdom’s founding father, throughout most of his mid-19th century reign.
Thaba Bosiu to Malealea
After breakfast, we have a guided cultural village tour, then we drive via Roma, refuel and then tackle the Ngakane Pass (2035 m). We will drive back roads to Malealea and visit the Botsoela Falls. The area around the waterfall is scenic with farmland and grassland dotted with spring flowers. From the viewpoint, you will overlook the Gates to Paradise Valley from east to west. Those who are fit can do a walk down to the base of the waterfall.
Malealea
Today is at leisure to relax. Guests can do a village tour with a guide, or guests can hire a pony for a pony ride. Bicycles are also for hire. Various hiking trails can be explored, or visit the local craft shop for homemade crafts. Or you can just relax and explore the lodge’s gardens. Ending the day with sundowners at a lovely viewpoint.
Malealea to Semonkong Lodge
We depart to Roma for a snack/drinks and fuel stop. The Roma valley is broad and fertile and is surrounded by sandstone cliffs topped to the east by basalt mountains which provide magnificent scenery. After refuelling, we drive the Nkesi Pass (2020 m) en route to the mighty Maletsunyana Waterfall. The 192-metre-high waterfall is on the river with the same name and falls from a ledge of Triassic-Jurassic basalt. The waterfall is recorded in the Guinness World Records for the “world’s longest commercially operated abseil”, with a height of 204 metres. You will also have a remarkably interesting talk on the Lesotho blanket. The blanket has become a symbol of Lesotho and is often used as a gift or for ceremonial purposes. After lunch, we drive to Semonkong Lodge, our overnight stop.
Semonkong to Tsoelike River
Today we head south and drive over the Senquyane and the Senqu Rivers before we visit the Senqu Horseshoe (a mini–Grand Canyon). After stretching our legs, we drive east, taking the new tar road to Sehlabathebe. Before we reach Sehlabathebe we do a little detour up and down the Tsoelike Pass (suspension bridge pass). After the Tsoelike Pass we take a scenic back road to Qachas Nek, where we will spend the night at New Central Hotel. In Qachas Nek, we have the last opportunity to refuel in Lesotho.
Tsoelike to Sehlabathebe, to Resthaven
Drive to Sehlabathebe National Park (weather depending). Today is a photographer’s dream as we explore Sehlabathebe and surrounds. Shelabathebe National Park is known for its scenery with unique rock formations. We drive to the old Lodge area, then proceed on an easy scenic walk. After lunch, we visit a cave if time allows, then proceed to Matatiele via Ramatseliso border gate and the Ramatseliso Pass. If the weather is not hiking-friendly, we take a scenic route (north of the Tsoelike River) to Ramatseliso border gate where we will exit Lesotho and take the pass down to Resthaven Guesthouse Matatiele.
Depart
After breakfast, it is time for sad-wells as everybody will start their homeward journey in their own time. End of services.
Everything you need. Nothing you don’t.
Included
- Specialist guide (Philip Rawlins) accompanying the convoy throughout
- Two-way radios for every vehicle
- 10 nights’ accommodation, dinner, bed and breakfast basis
- Entrance fees and sightseeing as per the itinerary
- Border and park permit fees collected and paid on your behalf
Not included
- Your own 4×4 vehicle and fuel
- Lunches, snacks, and drinks
- Compulsory comprehensive travel and medical insurance
- Tips and gratuities
- Porterage at hotels
- Items of a personal nature, souvenirs
R29,850 per adult sharing · two 2027 departures
Two scheduled 2027 departures.
Per person sharing, driving your own vehicle. Single supplement R8,750. Children under 13 on request.
Self-drive expedition. Your vehicle and fuel not included. Bookings close 30 November 2026.
Use a currency converter for an approximate figure in your local currency, noting that the final cost is determined by the exchange rate at the time of confirmation and payment.