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Lesotho
Known as the "Kingdom in the sky" it has some
of the most spectacular scenery and is a must for the adventurous
traveller and offers clear mountain streams, pony trekking,
trout fishing, remote mountain valleys and hiking in a country
with no fences. Much of Lesotho consists of high mountains
with the majestic Maluti Mountains and the spectacular Drakensberg
Range (which Lesotho shares with South Africa) offering a
magnificent backdrop to a near tropical destination that can
provide a wide range of outdoor holiday activities. The people
of this small country are very friendly and most welcoming
and the clean mountain air, spectacular blue skies, and brilliant
sunshine for more than 300 days each year provide a wonderful
climate that will restore even the most jaded traveller.
Weather
Due to its altitude, Lesotho remains cooler in the mountains
throughout the year, with mostly summer rains. Lesotho can
be enjoyed all year round - summer (from November to January)
is usually hot, while winter (from May to July) brings snow
to the mountains, although snow can fall on the highest peaks
at any time of the year. Autumn days are long and warm, and
are great for hiking and pony-trekking, while in the springtime
(about August) the mountains are covered with alpine flowers
and the valleys are decked with peach blossom and mimosa.
Some history
The earliest inhabitants of the area were Khoisan hunter-gatherers
who were largely replaced by Bantu-speaking tribes. The present
Lesotho emerged as a single polity (state) under Paramount
chief Moshoeshoe I in 1822. Chief Moshoeshoe established himself
on an impregnable flat topped mountain called Thaba-Bosiu
- near the present day capital of Maseru. From this stronghold
the Basotho Nation went from strength to strength until they
finally gained independence from British colonial rule in
1966 as the sovereign state of Lesotho. Letsie III is the
present day king of Lesotho. He has little political power,
and most of his duties are ceremonial.
Some facts
The Kingdom of Lesotho is a land locked country in southern
Africa, entirely surrounded by South Africa. Formerly Basutoland,
it is a member of the Commonwealth of Nations. The capital
of Lesotho is Maseru. No part of Lesotho is below 1000 metres
and much of the land consists of high mountains that reach
their peak at Thabana-Ntlenyana, at 3,841m the highest point
of Southern Africa! This lowland strip is in fact part of
the central plateau of southern Africa and the lowest point
in Lesotho is above 1000 metres making it the country with
the highest low point in the world!
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