Best hotels in Lesotho

Maliba Lodge is an elegant hideaway, widely regarded as one of the finest luxury lodges in Lesotho, a tiny country landlocked by South Africa’s rugged interior. This aptly named “Kingdom of the Sky” sits at more than 1000 metres above sea level, with a range of soaring peaks and sub-alpine valleys; it's one of Southern Africa’s adventure hotspots, with an untouched feel and a real sense of getting back to nature. The lodge has beautiful stone and thatch luxury chalets with superb facilities, and offers the unique opportunity to ski and snowboard during the winter months.

Malealea Lodge is a delightfully rustic, backpacker-style lodge and pony trekking centre in the remote western highlands of Lesotho. This spectacular mountain kingdom is the home of the Basotho tribe, renowned for their resilience and astounding horsemanship, living today as they have done for centuries in perhaps one of southern Africa’s most challenging environments. During your stay at Malealea, you’ll have the chance to experience the Basotho way of life and explore this remarkable region in a variety of exciting ways. If you’re looking for a real Southern African adventure, that’s totally off the beaten track, then you might have found it here.

Maliba River Lodge is a stylish self-catering retreat in the northern mountains of Lesotho, where the magnificent Drakensberg and Maluti Mountains converge in a dramatic landscape of jagged peaks and deep river valleys, dotted with traditional Basotho villages. Four fully-equipped thatch and stone chalets lie along the banks of the crystal clear Ts'ehlanyane River about a kilometre from the elegant Maliba Mountain Lodge, which has an excellent restaurant if you feel like a change from self-catering. A lovely mountain hideaway, with a glorious feeling of isolation and a good range of outdoor activities.

Sani Mountain Lodge is a rustic mountain resort in the remote highlands of Lesotho, a small country landlocked by South Africa and renowned for its rugged terrain and superb outdoor adventure opportunities. The lodge lies on the edge of a dramatic escarpment, and offers a range of comfortable cottages, backpacker dorms and basic camping facilities. Its claim to fame is the pub: at 2,874 metres above sea level, it’s the highest one in Africa. You’ll need a 4x4 vehicle to negotiate the hairpin bends of the steep mountain pass, which makes getting there an adventure in itself.

Lesotho is a small, intriguing country deeply landlocked within South Africa’s mountainous interior. Away from its populated areas, dramatic mountains, deep canyons and spectacular waterfalls combine to create an incredible sense of space and isolation. It's no wonder that Lesotho is a hot favourite with the outdoor adventure fraternity. Tucked away in the Maluti Mountains is Semonkong Lodge, a gathering of rustic thatch-and-stone cottages, backpacker dorms, and campsites set beside one of the highest waterfalls in Africa. Comfortable accommodation, friendly atmosphere and exciting activities make this a great choice for an action-packed getaway – and it's excellent value for money.

Lesotho is a rural country of skyscraper peaks and rolling lowlands. And it's in the latter that you'll find Morija Guesthouses, a comfortable, home-from-home destination set on a rocky outcrop overlooking the quaint town of Morija. Stay in the rambling main house, or in a Basotho-style garden cottage. Facilities are good, but it’s worth mentioning that the bathrooms are shared, so if you’re after a romantic luxurious break this probably won’t be for you. What sets this guesthouse apart is its strong connection with the Basotho people, and you’ll have the chance to help with a variety of upliftment projects.

Let Bird Haven be your resting place as you explore the mountain kingdom of Lesotho. Rest in the traditional rondavels that set a raw and authentic experience of the country. Set in a beautiful lush garden, this guesthouse accommodates guests in the rondavels as well as in an elegant old sandstone house that was built 1946. Situated along the Maloti Drakensberg Route, this is an innovative initiative that spans the borders between South Africa and the Mountain Kingdom of Lesotho. Bird Haven positions you en route to the Katse Dam, which is the engineering marvel of the country, with various nature reserves and cultural heritage sites in the neighboring area. Bird Haven enables you to live not only an adventure but more an experience of one of the most scenic areas and villages within our untamed mountain landscapes.

This is a truly wild expedition which takes you on a fully guided horse trail from the Drakensberg Mountains into the heart of Lesotho. Your first day kicks off with a hearty breakfast at Khotso. A full cooked breakfast buffet will be provided for you at the main Lodge. At 07:30 you and your horse are driven to Bushman’s Nek border. Upon arrival, your horse will be saddled for you and your gear safely and securely mounted. On the first day the ride will last approximately 6 hours, depending on the group’s riding experience. A picnic lunch will be provided enroute. For dinner we will usually cook a braai on the first night, a hearty meal accompanied by wine, maybe some sherry and of course, good conversation. After breakfast, the second day's ride is easier but still can be 4 to 5 hours (including breaks and lunch etc.), exploring the rivers, a chance to see bushman paintings and explore the spectacular canyons of the Lesotho high plateau on horseback. In summer it is possible to swim in the river. We will return to the same lodge, so you will not need to pack your things. Normally a traditional "potjie" for the second night’s dinner, again cooked on an open fire with the chance to enjoy the fabulous dark starry skies. On your final day it is important that we get an early start as we have to be back at the border before it closes at 4pm, so after breakfast we ride a different route, stopping at a spectacular waterfall with a chance to swim and if you are brave enough jump in from the 20 meter high cliffs. Picnic lunch will be provided. Return to Bushman’s Nek where we will be met at the border by the Khotso team, who will drive us back to the farm in time for dinner.