Southern Africa is a region known for its majestic beauty. Here, iconic mystical attractions are so plentiful, a traveler is hard pressed to choose what countries to visit and which destinations to delight in. There simply is so much to see and do that it would be wise to plan one’s trip with multiple countries in mind. And then plan for another trip beyond that!
This article will focus on the rugged country of Lesotho –simple and serene – and often described as the “Kingdom in the Sky” or “Mountain Kingdom.” Let us start with the most famous historical site in Lesotho.
Thaba Bosiu
This is the country’s greatest national monument – a flat-topped mountain with a historical and magical history. The name Thaba Bosiu means “Mountain at Night.” Here, King Moshoeshoe I established his citadel and the Basotho nation. To flee attackers that had been terrorizing his people, he went in search of a place that would be practically impenetrable. Thaba Bosiu was such a place, with its summit surrounded by near-vertical cliffs, excellent grazing, and freshwater springs at the top.
Today, substantial remains of the king’s dwellings and villages as well as the royal cemetery have been left for all to experience at the top of the mountain. Buses and taxis run from the southern bus area in Maseru to the tourist office at the base of the mountain. From here, visitors have an easy climb to the summit plateau and the remains of Moshoeshoe’s village.
Come and allow yourself to be drawn into this mystical place.
The above code link is for the video of Lesotho from the RETOSA website.
Lesotho is home to many other mystical places…
Maseru
The capital of Lesotho, Maseru, is located on the Caledon River, bordering South Africa whose name means “Place of the Red Sandstone.” Situated in the southeast corner of Lesotho is the main attraction of Sehlabathebe National Park with its exceptional peace and solitude. It is the oldest nature reserve in Lesotho – remote and rugged. Characterized by its strange sandstone formations and striking mountains, it is an incredibly beautiful place inhabiting shy antelope and rare birds. You will be able to access the Park by road with a 4×4 vehicle and once there, one can enjoy wonderful hikes and pony treks. It is advisable to take a guide along with you when visiting the park to ensure you have the full experience of what Sehlabathebe National Park has to offer.
Katse Dam
The Katse Dam forms part of the Lesotho Highlands Water Project and is Africa’s second largest dam. It is a concrete arch dam on the Malibamat’so River where from the Mafika Lisiu Pass, visitors may enjoy sweeping views of the flooded valleys. The centerpiece of the project is the dam wall at 185 meters – the highest in Africa. The Katse Lodge, previously used predominantly by engineers, is now attracting more visitors, where an area of the lake has been set aside for water sports.
But wait, there’s more
Now that we have visited Lesotho, it would be wise to combine a few other countries within this one trip. Lesotho is a landlocked country that sits right inside South Africa, so it would be only logical to visit some of South Africa’s places of wonder, along with Swaziland, which also sits almost completely within South Africa but which also shares its eastern border with Mozambique.
South Africa
South Africa’s natural beauty will leave visitors awe-struck. Perhaps one of the country’s most photographed marvels of nature is Table Mountain, a World Heritage site, exerting a powerful and charismatic pull, and enchanting all who fall under its spell. Over 16 million people have taken the cable car trip to the top, including Queen Elizabeth II, Oprah Winfrey, and Sting. Nowhere else in the world does an area of such spectacular beauty and such rich biodiversity exist almost entirely within a metropolitan area – the thriving and cosmopolitan city of Cape Town.
Other must-see magical places in South Africa include the Garden Route that meanders along the south coast from Mossel Bay to Storms River and encompasses some of the most rugged and heart-stopping beautiful scenery in South Africa. Dotted along this route is a string of picturesque towns and is an eco-friendly adventure destination boasting a myriad of attractions. Together with the Klein Karoo, the region forms part of the World Heritage Cape Floral Kingdom and is home to more flora than the entire northern hemisphere.
Established in 1898, Kruger National Park is unrivaled in the diversity of its life forms and a world leader in environmental management with nearly 2 million hectares of endless wilderness. Man’s interaction with the environment over many centuries is evident here in the form of rare Bushman rock paintings and archaeological sites. Traveling along to the northwest of Johannesburg lies the Cradle of Humankind, another World Heritage site. It contains a complex of limestone caves, and the site has produced a large number, as well as some of the oldest, hominid fossils ever found, some dating back as far as 3.5 million years ago, producing more than a third of early hominid fossils ever found. South Africa’s third-largest protected area, iSimangaliso Wetland Park, is located on the east coast of KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa, spanning 280 kilometers of coastline and is made up of around 3,280 square kilometers of natural ecosystems.
Swaziland
Known as the “Place of Kings,” Swaziland is a tranquil country that has preserved its cultures and traditions in a unique blend of ancient and modern. Here, the Mantenga reserve is a protected area in a secluded corner of the Ezulwini Valley. It contains not only the beautiful Mantenga Waterfalls, but also the iconic cultural village of Ligugu Lemaswati, the pride of the Swazi people. A living museum, the village replicates a 19th century Swazi homestead with beehive huts, kraals or byres, reed fences, and various other structures all built in the traditional style. There are also pleasant hiking trails and scenic picnic and swimming spots.
Another must-see destination in Swaziland is King Sobhuza II Memorial Park – a magical time capsule of the Kingdom of Swaziland, named after King Sobhuza II, its beloved leader who led Swaziland to its independence in 1968. Located next to the Houses of Parliament in Lobamba, the museum’s old photographs of Swazi history are engrossing, and the museum captures the Swazi love of nature.
The country’s largest protected area lies in the Lubombo Plateau – the Hlane Royal National Park, home to four of the big five: lion, elephant, rhino, and leopard. And finally, the Malolotja Falls is an absolute must-visit location abounding in hilly grasslands and pristine forests teeming with many little-known species. The Malolotja Falls cascades into the dense Afromontane forest, and the lowlands offer a variety of habitats with swamps and lush plains thick with tall grasses, orchids, lilies, and ancient cycads, with a profusion of wild flowers and pools tempting visitors to plunge into their crystal-clear depths.
Getting there
Southern Africa boasts a well-interconnected transportation system and all Southern African countries can be accessed by either plane, train, bus, boat, or car. One can make travel arrangements on their own or employ the services of a tour operator to make the necessary arrangements.
About Southern Africa
The Regional Tourism Organization of Southern Africa (RETOSA) is a Southern African Development Community (SADC) institution responsible for tourism growth and development. In part, the aims of RETOSA are to increase tourist arrivals to the region through sustainable development initiatives, improved regional competitiveness, and effective destination marketing. The organization works together with Member States’ tourism ministries, tourism boards, and private sector partners. For more information about RETOSA, go to www.retosa.co.za
