Road trip in Lesotho: the ultimate traveler's guide
Le Lesotho is a mountainous landlocked country in the center of South Africa. It offers magnificent virgin landscapes that are discovered one by one over your road trip. Many axes are not yet paved but since our last visit we learned that the route that we recommend in this guide has finally been transformed into a real road accessible to all.
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Crossing Lesotho by road trip: Butha-Buthe, Maseru and Semonkong
This route is a road trip which covers much of the Lesotho. To start, you will have to drive north to the Caledonspoort Border control border post then continue towards Butha-buthe. Follow the main axis until Maseru, the uninspiring capital of the country. Then you will have to follow the road that leads to semonkong. It is on this road that you will discover the most beautiful landscapes of Lesotho.
It crosses many valleys into the mountains for 4 to 5 hours (the journey is certainly much shorter now that the road is paved). Along the way, you will see villages of traditional shepherds, locals in folkloric attire traveling on donkeys or horses and even snow! In short, another world!
Consulting : eat at noon in Maseru or bring a picnic because after there is nothing left until the lodge. Also, fill up with petrol in Maseru because until you return to the capital there will be no petrol station.
End your road trip at Semonkong in Lesotho: a village of the Kingdom in the Sky
Le Lesotho is nicknamed the kingdom in the sky because it is the only country whose altitude is never lower than 1000 meters. At the end of your road trip is semonkong, a small village filled with donkeys, horses and covered with snow in winters. Lost in the mountains and as if out of time, this is where you will spend the night. The inhabitants live on their sheep and travel by pony. Change of scenery. To know the best things to do around the village, you can read our article on the best things to do in Semonkong.
The only accommodation in Semonkong in Lesotho is fantastic
For accommodation, there is only one choice in this region of Lesotho but it is superb. Semonkong Lodge offers very well appointed chalets and their cuisine is delicious! You will certainly enjoy the log fire that awaits you in your hut after dinner as much as we do!
NB : they only have a few rooms so to be sure you have room, it is better reserve in advance.
Our tips for a successful trip:
- Book your flight in advance to take advantage of the best prices
Airline ticket prices are cheaper when booked 6 to 3 months in advance. To be sure of getting the best price, we recommend using a flight comparator such as Skyscanner.
- Book your accommodation before departure to have access to the best offers
You will always find a room at the last minute, but the best located accommodations are necessarily those that are always full. That's why it's best to book your accommodations as soon as possible. We recommend going through Agoda which offers the best prices. In addition, this site allows you to be easily reimbursed in the event of cancellation.
- Skip the line to visit the most popular attractions
By booking your excursions in advance on Civitatis, you do not queue on site to get your tickets. Less time waiting = more time enjoying your vacation! Plus, their guided tours ensure you have a knowledgeable guide who speaks your language.
- Use a comparator to find a rental car at the lowest price
Save yourself hours of research with rentalcar.com ou discovercars.com. These comparators are the best for finding rental cars at the lowest prices.
- Don't leave without travel insurance
For us, it is unimaginable to leave without travel insurance. We recommend the one proposed by AXIS. This is the best guaranteed way to leave with peace of mind. However, consider taking out additional specialized insurance for activities not covered (such as skiing or scuba diving).
- Want more information about your destination?
Do not hesitate to complete the information present on this blog with a travel Guide. You can take it in your luggage and refer to it throughout your vacation.
To find out more about South Africa:
The itinéterre team
Itinéterre is a travel blog written by a team of expatriates and locals. They share their experiences so that you can enjoy the best tours in their countries. Their advice will help you plan your vacation easily as if a local is accompanying you!
