"LESOTHO - KINGDOM IN THE SKY" Top 5 Page for this destination Lesotho by mtncorg

Lesotho Travel Guide: 328 reviews and 650 photos

Trekking into my Fortieth Country - upper nowhere

Lesotho boasts the highest low point of any country in the World (1400 meters) and is the only country to be entirely above 1000 meters high. The Maldives and Tuvalu may be endangered lands in the next century or so of global warming, but Lesotho ain’t going anywhere soon!

If you traverse across the crest of the Drakensberg, you will spend much of your time wandering among valleys and mountains that are actually inside of Lesotho and not South Africa. The border between the two countries runs along the rim of the Drakensberg Escarpment, for the most part, and you are not always walking along the very edge. That means that technically you need to carry along your passport in amongst your mountain gear on the miniscule chance you run into Lesotho officials somewhere in the alpine wilderness. The country up here is a lonely land at first glance, but looking deeper, you will find plenty of evidence of the hand of man at work, whether it be in the form of herdsmen wandering about with their cows or sheep, diamond miners, cattle rustlers or dagga (marijuana) smugglers. Here in the upper reaches of the Drakensberg, the moniker ‘Kingdom in the Sky’ takes on a very real meaning.

Intro Written Apr 12, 2007
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Reviews (7)

North Peak and west into highlands of Lesotho - Lesotho

DRAKENSBERG VISTAS Things to Do (2)

The views from atop the Drakensberg Escarpment are difficult to convey in words and simple pictures. Remember, you have... more travel advice

Upper Drakensberg near Fang's Pass - Lesotho

DRAKENSBERG ESCARPMENT Things to Do (2)

In my mind, a multi-day traverse along the top of the Drakensberg Escarpment is the peak of African alpine adventures.... more travel advice

Herdsmen huts almost invisible in distance - Lesotho

HERDSMEN HUTS Off The Beaten Path (2)

As you walk across the mountains of the upper Drakensberg reaches on your Grand Traverse, the World of Lesotho looks... more travel advice

Letseng damond mine in far distance - center - Lesotho

DIAMOND MINES Off The Beaten Path (2)

Far off on the horizon, as you wander along your Drakensberg Traverse, your gaze falls upon a group of small buildings... more travel advice

Warnings Or Dangers (2)
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Hotels (1)
HOTELS IN LESOTHO?

Comments (8)

hunterV Sep 13, 2011 at 11:22 AM Report Abuse

You have made a splendid trip!~ Thanks for your detailed story, Mark! Good for you! ><><
XenoHumph Feb 4, 2011 at 3:20 PM Report Abuse

Great page! I am studying rocks from Letseng-La Terae... I was glad to see a picture from the place!
kokoryko Jan 10, 2011 at 2:23 PM Report Abuse

I would not have thought of visiting Lesotho, but if there are mountains. . . Haha. . . Highest low point ! :) :) :) You gave me some ideas of future trips and treks Mark!
angiebabe Jun 14, 2010 at 12:28 PM Report Abuse

a long overdue Hi!have enjoyd your pics and writeup here - sure looked a trek with dramatic scenery along the way - and at that altitude no wonder Queen corgi is nowhere to be seen!?..thanks so much for the kind thoughts and birthday wishes from you both!
SWFC_Fan Oct 1, 2008 at 3:45 PM Report Abuse

You provide a great insight into this fascinating country, Mark. Camping in the hills and being mistaken for SADF soldiers sounds like risky business...but must make for an exciting trip! Best wishes and happy travels, Jonathan.
Sininen Jul 6, 2007 at 8:56 PM Report Abuse

Wonderful page, I would love to go there but I am afraid that my knees prevent me from going. Beautiful photos of beautiful country. Happy birthday from Finland!
Nemorino Apr 25, 2007 at 3:20 PM Report Abuse

Your 40th Country, wow. I have never thought about which country has the highest low point of any country in the World, but now I know it's Lesotho. Weird, lonely mountain scenery in your photos! (The closest I've been to there is Swaziland.)
Hopkid Apr 19, 2007 at 12:48 PM Report Abuse

Good to see you're getting out and about during your stay in S. Africa. Amazing photos!