Lesotho

Completely surrounded by South Africa, it is one of the few countries that is completely above 1000 meters. The central and north-eastern mountain ranges peak a little above 3000 meters; you have to like climbing when you come here to cycle, especially if you take the gradients into account.

There is plenty of accommodation, although not cheap, but life, on the other hand, is cheaper than in South Africa. The population is very friendly and hospitable.

The population is very friendly and hospitable. "Security" Lesotho has a reputation for being safe. The language is Sesotho, many people speak good English, here and there someone speaks some South African. 'Hospitality'

A few nationalities can enter Lesotho without a visa for a short stay of 14 days. Quite a lot of countries need to apply for the e-visa. For countries who are visa exempt, you can get a free entry stamp at the border.

Visa policy of Lesotho

Lesotho

Visa exempt for 90 days

Visa exempt for 14 days

eVisa

Source: Wikipedia.

In the smaller towns there is not much choice, sometimes only in your guesthouse.

Drinkable water

• Water from the tap is better to avoid.
• Klaas: "You can occasionally find cool water from streams along the way. Just make sure there are no livestock grazing above. This water was fine to drink, it left me with nothing."
• January 2016, drought and the government cut off mains water in eastern Lesotho. You can buy water in the shops.

See an do

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• Those who do not only like to conquer the heights by bicycle, can climb the Thabana-Ntlenyana, with its 3482m the highest mountain in southern Africa. The trip of about ten hours can be organized from the Sani Lodge, with or without a guide.
• Thaba Bosiu is the most important historical sight and is also fun to do: climb for an hour to the grave of Moshoeshoe I. The guide in the visitor center asks only 10M / pp (less than one euro). You can do the tour on your way from Maseru to TY or you can spend the night in nearby accommodation.
• Near Leribe and ... you will find dinosaur footprints.
• From Afriski to Butha buthe you pass the Liphofung cave. Rock paintings of the San people.
• It is fantastic to cycle over the Sani Pass. It can be cold and bleak. The road on the Lesotho side is paved by the Chinese and is already largely made of concrete. On the South African side, the very steep road full of hairpin bends is of abysmal quality. Be especially careful when going down this road. On the pass you will find the 'highest pub in Africa', a great place for a break. You can also spend the night there, lodge and camping area. I don't get much of cycling with my luggage, it took me at least four hours, pushing the bike that is.

Nice routes

• Ludwig: "My journey (lenth: one week): Maseru - Teya-Teyaneng (via Thaba Bosiu) - Leribe - Pitseng - Ha Lejone - Katse - Thaba-Tseka - Mantsonyane (lift back to Maseru).
• The north-western road leads to the Sani pass and Southern Africa's highest mountain, Thabana-Ntlenyana (3482 m).
• From south to north through Lesotho is a beautiful route. Underberg-Sani Pass. Mokhotlong- Afriski (a ski resort in May) - Butha buthe. You can then continue to Maseru or back again via Pitseng and towards Sani pass. I cycled through the Caledonspoort and Clarens to the Golden Gate Highland National Park.

Best time to cycle

Ludwig: "I cycled there for a week in August, with good weather, warm during the day (+ 20 °), cold in the evening. Also easy to do in January, around 25 degrees during the day and around 5 degrees Celsius at night.

Spare parts

Get to South Africa as soon as possible if you need spare parts. I was able to contact the MTB rental company of the Malealea Lodge. He had a new and appropriate derailleur pad for me.