Must See

Maseru

Maseru is Lesotho's capital and stepping off point for exploring the rest of the region. The King's Palace and the Prime Minister's Residence with their fascinating architecture are local highlights, as is the historic cemetery. On the edge of Maseru's townships it's possible to spend a night in a traditional Basotho village.

Near Maseru is Thaba Bosiu, a flat-topped hill where the Basotho made a last heroic stand against the Boers. Many of their chiefs are buried here. Also nearby is the Ha Khotso Bushmen Rock Paintings, which make an interesting visit.

Southern Lesotho

There are an increasing number of hotels in Southern Lesotho (for example, in Moyeni and Mohales Hoek) offering facilities for mountain climbing, horse riding and hiking. Worth visiting in the district are the dinosaur footprints at Moyeni; the Motlejoeng Caves, 2 km (1.2 miles) south of Mahale's Hoek; the petrified forest on the mountain of Thaba-Ts'oeu and the Masitise Cave House.

Waterfalls

Get in the saddle and take a pony trek through some of Lesotho's most dramatic landscapes, taking in some truly impressive waterfalls on the way - Ribaneng, Ketane and Maletsunyane, the latter the largest single drop falls in southern Africa. The country is home to the famous Basotho ponies, the result of cross-breeding between short Javanese horses and European full mounts.

Mountains

Situated at the highest point in the Drakensburg range, the country affords some fine views over steep mountains, broad valleys and deep ravines. These imposing peaks contain deposits of minerals including diamonds, while the Caledon, Orange and Tugela rivers all rise in the mountains of Lesotho. With some spectacular and rugged scenery, climbing and walking are increasingly popular activities among visitors.

Skiing

Although skiing in southern Africa may sound strange, a new ski resort has opened up in the heart of the Lesotho highlands, less than five hours' drive from Johannesburg in neighbouring South Africa.