Lesotho  
Author(s): David Fleminger
Published by 30 Degrees South Publishers
Publication Date:  Available in all formats
ISBN: 9781928211105
Pages: 0

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ISBN: 9781928211105 Price: INR 564.99
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From the mists of Basotho legend—from the time of King Moshoeshoe. The tiny country of Lesotho is entirely surrounded by South Africa, yet it remains one of the most remote and unexplored areas in the region. The reason for this isolation is the mountains—row upon row of serrated peaks make this the country with the highest ‘low point’ in the world. But the mountains that give Lesotho its dramatic landscapes have also played a crucial role in creating a country with a unique history. It’s a stirring story of courage and cunning, featuring remarkable individuals such as King Moshoeshoe—founder of the Basotho nation—who first gathered people together on the flat-topped hill Thaba Bosiu, the mountain of night. Today, Lesotho is an irresistible lure to adventurous travellers who want to head off the beaten path and tackle the mighty mountains. But Lesotho isn’t as inaccessible as it seems. The country is bisected by a number of tarred and gravel roads and these lead the motorist on jaw-dropping drives through some of the highest mountains this side of Kilimanjaro. Small rural villages nestle on the slopes, much as they have done for over 200 years, and delightful lodges are tucked away in secluded valleys. All in all, it’s a land of secret vistas and pristine scenery. This book is the first travel guide dedicated solely to Lesotho. It will give the traveller an insight into the remarkable history of the country. Suggested itineraries are included, along with accommodation options, leisure activities and other useful information for trip-planning.
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From the mists of Basotho legend—from the time of King Moshoeshoe. The tiny country of Lesotho is entirely surrounded by South Africa, yet it remains one of the most remote and unexplored areas in the region. The reason for this isolation is the mountains—row upon row of serrated peaks make this the country with the highest ‘low point’ in the world. But the mountains that give Lesotho its dramatic landscapes have also played a crucial role in creating a country with a unique history. It’s a stirring story of courage and cunning, featuring remarkable individuals such as King Moshoeshoe—founder of the Basotho nation—who first gathered people together on the flat-topped hill Thaba Bosiu, the mountain of night. Today, Lesotho is an irresistible lure to adventurous travellers who want to head off the beaten path and tackle the mighty mountains. But Lesotho isn’t as inaccessible as it seems. The country is bisected by a number of tarred and gravel roads and these lead the motorist on jaw-dropping drives through some of the highest mountains this side of Kilimanjaro. Small rural villages nestle on the slopes, much as they have done for over 200 years, and delightful lodges are tucked away in secluded valleys. All in all, it’s a land of secret vistas and pristine scenery. This book is the first travel guide dedicated solely to Lesotho. It will give the traveller an insight into the remarkable history of the country. Suggested itineraries are included, along with accommodation options, leisure activities and other useful information for trip-planning.
Table of contents
  • Praise for Swaziland—A Southbound Travel Guide
  • Title Page
  • Also by David Fleminger:
  • Copyright Page
  • Dedication
  • Table of Contents
  • Part 1—About Lesotho
    • The basics
      • Size and location
      • Population
      • Climate
      • Language
      • Religion
      • Education
      • Economy
      • Government
      • HIV and AIDS
      • Environment
      • Flora and fauna
      • Cultural life
    • History
      • Geology
      • Dinosaurs
      • Early humans
      • The Bushmen and their rock art
      • The arrival of the Bantu
      • King Moshoeshoe I (born c1786, ruled 1820-1870)
      • The first missionaries (1833)
      • The Voortrekkers (1836)
      • The Anglo-Basotho War (1851-1853)
      • The First Basotho-Boer War / Senekal’s War (1858)
      • The Catholic Church (1862)
      • The Second Basotho-Boer War / Seqiti War (1865-1868)
      • The British takeover (1868)
      • The death of Moshoeshoe (1870)
      • King Letsie I (born 1811, ruled 1870-1891)
      • Cape rule (1871-1883)
      • The Gun War (1880-1881)
      • The British return (1884)
      • The story of Frasers
      • King Lerotholi (born 1840, ruled 1891-1905)
      • The Anglo-Boer War (1899-1902)
      • King Letsie II (born 1870, ruled 1905-1913)
      • King Griffith Lerotholi (born 1871, ruled 1913-1939)
      • Into the 20th century
      • King Seeiso Griffith (born 1904, ruled 1939-1940)
      • Chieftainess ‘Mantsebo (born 1902, ruled 1941-1960)
      • King Moshoeshoe II (born 1938, ruled 1960-1990, 1995-1996)
      • Independence (1966)
      • The Leabua Jonathan years (1966-1986)
      • The military government (1986-1993)
      • King Letsie III (born 1963, ruled 1990 to present)
    • Modern politics (1993 to the present)
  • Part 2—Exploring Lesotho
    • Know before you go
    • Getting there
      • From Joburg to Caledonspoort border post (325km)
      • From Joburg to Monantsa’a Pass border post (338km)
      • From Joburg / Bloemfontein to Maseru
      • From Durban
    • Getting around Lesotho
      • Driving in Lesotho
      • Car rental
      • Flights and airports
      • Buses and taxis
      • Backpacking
    • Border information
      • Customs regulations
      • The idiot’s guide to crossing the border
    • Telephones and mobile phones
    • Those little beggars
    • Activities
      • Hiking
      • Walking
      • Pony trekking
      • Mountain-biking
      • Fishing
      • Water sports
      • Motorbikes, quads and the Roof of Africa
      • 4x4 trails
      • Running
      • Skiing
      • Climbing and abseiling
      • Paragliding and hang-gliding
      • Bird- and plant-spotting
      • Cultural homestays
    • Maseru
      • A trip through central Maseru
    • Day trips from Maseru
      • Thaba Bosiu
      • Lancers’ Gap
      • Kome Cave Village
      • Morija
    • The North
      • Teyateyaneng
      • Hlotse (Leribe)
      • Ts’ehlanyane National Park
      • Butha-Buthe
      • ‘Muela Power Station
      • Liphofung Cave
      • Moteng Pass
      • Oxbow Lodge and Afri Ski
      • Letseng Diamond Mine
      • Mokhotlong
    • The road to Katse
      • Pitseng
    • Mafika Lisiu Pass
      • Bokong Nature Reserve
      • Katse Village
      • Katse Dam and the Lesotho Highlands Water Project
    • The Centre
      • Roma to Semonkong
      • Roma
      • The Raboshabane Road
    • Ramabanta
      • Semonkong and the Maletsunyane Falls
      • The Mountain Road
      • Ha Baroana rock paintings
      • The passes begin
      • Basotho Pony Trekking Centre
      • Mohale Dam
      • Marakabei Lodge
    • Thaba Tseka
      • Molumong
      • Sani Top
      • Sani Pass
    • The South
      • Malealea Lodge
      • Mafeteng
      • Mohale’s Hoek
      • Quthing / Moyeni
      • Ellenberger’s Cave House
      • Villa Maria
    • Dinosaur Footprints
      • Mount Moorosi
      • Qacha’s Nek
      • Sehlabathebe
      • Mathibeng Pass and the road to Sehonghong
    • Suggested routes
      • If you have 2 – 4 days
      • If you have 5 – 7 days
      • If you have 7 – 14 days
      • Planning your own route
    • Tour operators
  • Part 3—General information
    • Public Holidays 2010
    • Annual Events
    • Border Posts
    • Banking and currency
    • Postal services
    • Telecommunications
    • Crime and safety
    • Embassies and agencies
    • Hospitals and medical services
    • Photography
    • Tourism development
    • Sesotho phrases, pronunciation and proverbs
    • National Anthem
    • Websites and contacts
      • Tourism
      • Environmental
      • Newspapers and media
      • Government and agencies
      • Sports
      • Social, cultural, health and religious
  • References / further reading
  • Author’s notes
  • Index
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