Pick up clients at Maseru International Airport. Depending on arrival time, visit of the tourist centre in Maseru “The Hat”. Travel to Morija and visit the museum and art centre. Wit a little luck guests may have a glimpse of the King’s Palace in Matsieng (discretion of the security). The afternoon is at leisure. Optional horse riding, cultural village and other activities at own expense.
Overnight: Guest House
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner After breakfast at the lodge we continue traveling north, scenic drive through bushy landscape, small forests and farmland dotted with picturesque villages. Along the road dense bushes and shrubs used by locals for medical purposes, e.g. the “Wild ALS Bush” is a remedy for Asthma and Flu or the “Chi/Chi Bush” (Old Wood) for stomach problems. Basalt stone with hardened volcanic bubbles. descend the pass to a view point at 1.860m to look down to the awesome valley. Picnic Lunch on route. Drive to Roma, which is the principal centre of the Roman Catholic Church in Lesotho and since 1964 the site of the National University of Lesotho. The city was found in 1862 when King Moshoeshoe granted the site to Bishop Allard and Father Gerard. Today our journey takes us down into the valley, but the windy road climbs again to an altitude of 2.620m, the Blue Mountain Pass. Named after the 2.900m high Thaba Putswa (Blue Mountain), which dominates the range in the north. The pass descends steeply into the Likalaneng Valley. Leaving the dam area our Guide will check out at the security post. Picnic lunch on route. We ascend the pass on dirt road, dotted with low shrubs and wild flowers, inclusive the Red-Hot Pokers. A long, curving road into the valley of the Senqunyane River. We pass the Trading Store and Police Post of Marakabei, named after a Chief in this area. The road crosses the Senqunyane River, also known as the Little Orange River, is one of the principal upper tributaries of the Orange River. We climb steeply to the summit of the Tshetshe Pass, 2.560m. Immediately it descends into the Mantsonyane River Valley (small black river). Driving higher up the mountains with its dark basalt stone, covered in snow in winter. Awesome views, lonely herd-boys on the mountain slopes; the gentle sound of their “Lesibas” floating on the wind. Arrival at Katse Dam, tour of the dam.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner After breakfast at the lodge, departure on dirt road towards Mashai. Watch the majestic Cape Vultures in flight and beautiful butterflies in summer. Thaba Tseka (meaning “the mountain with blaze”) houses a stud farm for breeding Basotho Ponies and a tree nursery. Cross the Koma-Koma Bridge, which is flooded when the sluice gates of the Katse Dam are opened. Refreshment stop and picnic at the shabeen (pub) at Taung village. Travel the windy road, along the sides, rocky mountains and hills, patches of maize fields where Basotho’s work on their land with loving care. Arrival at the self-catering lodge in the afternoon. Enjoy the sunset while relaxing on the swing-chair, facing west towards the setting sun. Dinner: self-catering in fully equipped kitchen. (Communal bathroom)
Overnight: Lodge
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner After a late breakfast we proceed on dirt road, which is only usable by 4x4 vehicles. It provides a majestic and exciting experience. At the Sehonghong River we have a refreshment stop and a gallery of Rock Art may be seen. The pass becomes very rugged, twisting parallel to the river. The Chief and his wife will welcome us at the village. Enjoy chatting and interacting with this friendly people, living in beautiful decorated huts. Picnic lunch on route. The very scenic but rough road leads us deeper into the Matebeng Valley.
Overnight: Lodge
Breakfast, Lunch After break fast we exit Lesotho via Ramatseliso Gate, to South Africa. Our journey takes us into the heart of East Griqualand. An area of wide open spaces, rolling plains, numerous mountains and crystal clear streams. A place of trout fishing, bike riding, 4x4 Adventures and a whole lot more. Drive through the rolling hills of maize- and potato fields, grassland with cattle, sheep and White Storks and Pine Forests. We follow the tar road to Underberg.
Overnight: Lodge
Breakfast, Lunch Transfer back to Durban
End of Tour