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The Kingdom in the Sky is an apt name for Lesotho. This tiny country of only 11,840 square miles is completely surrounded by South Africa. By virtue of its topographical isolation, Lesotho has managed largely to avoid many of the recent wars, racist policies and political instability that has plagued most of the African continent this century. Click here to see a Map of Lesotho. |
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Landlocked by South Africa, but geographically distanced from it by huge mountain ranges, Lesotho is an often-surprising combination of rapidly developing modernity, and ancient culture.
Most travelers come to Lesotho as a side-trip following time spent in South Africa, and find it the simple approach to life a real
joy. Although, like most of Africa, Lesotho is a struggling Third World nation, it has built for itself a reputation for dependable tourism. Public transport and organized tours and treks are quite reliable, and the 2 million local Sotho inhabitants are always willing to help.
Although shunted to and from British and Boer control for almost 200 years, Lesotho's path to self-rule was, in comparative terms, quite smooth. Although there are still internal political maneuverings, the instability looks unlikely to have any adverse or violent effects in the future. Lesotho is situated almost entirely in the Drakensberg mountains and in many parts the only way to get around is on horseback on the sturdy mountain ponies. |
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