Introduction
Surrounded by South Africa, and a worthwhile detour from its larger neighbour, Lesotho, nicknamed the Switzerland of Africa, is a mountainous kingdom awash with outdoor activities.
The capital Maseru is a slow and easy-going centre; the King's Palace and Prime Minister's Residence are interesting as is the historic cemetery.
Sehlabathebe National Park is remote, rugged and beautiful. The rolling grasslands, wildlflowers and silence provide a sense of isolation, making the park popular with hikers intent on seeing the prolific birdlife and other animals here.
People are also drawn to the Drakensburg Mountains; Lesotho is the highest point in the Drakensburg range, with steep-sloped mountains, broad valleys and deep ravines providing a rugged backdrop for walking and climbing.
If you'd rather, get in the saddle and take a pony trek on one of the famous Basotho ponies through the countryside, taking in the impressive waterfalls at Ribaneng, Ketane and Maletsunyane, the latter the largest single-drop falls in southern Africa.
