Edition February 2025

Traveling to Lesotho to explore its stunning tourist attractions and immerse myself in the rich culture of Basotho people has become one of my favourite activities.

The South African Rand is on par with Lesotho’s currency, Maluti, making it easy to navigate financially. With its laid-back lifestyle and affordable offerings, the Mountain Kingdom has become a destination I return to time and again – since my first trip to Maseru in 2023.

Growing up in the small town of Thaba Nchu in the Free State, just a four-hour drive from the Maseru Bridge, I always imained myself catching a taxi to Lesotho, one day.

Taxis from my town to Maseru were a common sight, and all I needed was a passport to make it a reality. Now, with passport in hand, I find myself crossing the border regularly, fulfilling that long-held dream.

Growing up at a town close to the border, I was naturally exposed to the Basotho people and their culture, which sparked a deep desire to visit Lesotho.

Through them, I learned Sesotho at an early age and developed a strong appreciation for the culture and traditions that continue to resonate with me today.

To fulfill my fantasy, I travelled to Lesotho with one of my friends, Mamokete Tseou, whom I met about 17 years ago in a South African Sign Language lecture hall. Together, we set out to experience the snow and thrilling activities at the Afriski Mountain Resort. We booked our trip for August 2023.

While accommodation is available at the resort, we opted for an Airbnb in Naledi, just outside Maseru, as it offered greater convenience and flexibility for our plans.

The experience

There are many tour guides to choose from but we decided to go with a young and dynamic guide, Teboho Raphael Thuso.

Thuso picked us up in Maseru right after we had our passports stamped on a Friday evening.

We ordered take aways before heading to the Airbnb. While on our way to the Airbnb, Thuso, told us more about his company and the country.

By the time we reached our destination, we were already familiar with some of the country's must-see attractions, such as Mokorotlong, Makoanyane Square, Maseru Circle and Mo-fumahali oa Tlholo LCYM, each with its own rich history and cultural significance.

Upon arrival at the major borders like the Maseru Bridge, visitors are expected pay a travel levy of M100.00. After refreshing and having our dinner at the Airbnb, we headed to Kasi Kota a premier night club in Maseru. There, we mingled with locals to unwind and enjoy the vibrant atmosphere, before calling it a night and gearing up for the adventures to come.

On Saturday morning, we were excited to set off for Afriski Mountain Resort, located about a four-hour drive from Naledi. Our journey took us through the picturesque regions of Berea, Leribe and Botha-Bothe, eventually leading us to the resort, nestled in the rural heart of the district. We travelled along the A1 main road, which passes the Liphofung Caves and Historical Site.

Thuso explained that accessing some attractions required assistance, as they were spread across different areas, like Berea, where you can find Kome Caves and Dwellings. He mentioned that there were plenty of attractions along the way, many of which could be reached through hiking, such as the Sandunes near Butha-Buthe and Leribe. He also highlighted other key spots, including Maliba Lodge, Tshehlanyane National Park and Kimberlite Park, among others, as we navigated the steep road leading to the top of the mountain.

Upon arrival at the resort, we took some pictures to capture the moment before heading to the restaurant to order food and drinks. After settling in, we registered for the day's activities. It was the second-last weekend for skiing as winter season was drawing to an end.

“During winter, we experience snow, AfriSki is a good destination to visit during that season, there are skiing activities, bumboarding, tubing and quad bikes,” explained Thuso.

My friends and I opted for few sessions of bumboarding. However, I quickly realise how cold it was, so we headed to the restaurant again for some warm food and wine to help us thaw out and stay cozy.

If you want to explore Lesotho alongside a professional tour operator or to book shuttle services, you can contact Explorers Travel and Tours on Facebook, or WhatsApp +266 581333 66.

For more information about AfriSki Mountain Resort, email: bookings@afriski.net or call: +27 11 705 2814.