Best things to do in Maseru
Find out more about those top places in Maseru
Lesotho a landlocked nation encircled by South Africa is one of the most underrated tourist destinations in Africa, its capital and economic powerhouse is Maseru.
It is a city of great history and culture shown through its phenomenal architecture, wonderful landscapes and hospitable locals.
Your first impression of the city might not convince you that you made the right choice, but with a bit of patience you discover the reasons why it is a cherished destination among seasoned travelers.
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Lesotho National Museum
For a crash course on the history and culture of Lesotho, stop by at the Lesotho National Museum. The exterior of its building is the first thing you will take note of, its design is a mix of Lesotho ingenious style with more modern systems. There is not much to look at but it features artifacts from Lesotho Precolonial era to modern times, including sculptures, paintings and archaeological findings.
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Afri Ski Resort
It might come as a surprise to many but snow does indeed fall in Lesotho and Maseru has one of the best Ski Resorts in the country – the Afri Ski Resort. Situated at the Calendonspoort Border Post in Eastern Free State, it offers a wide range of activities from winter sports (snowboarding, skiing) to several winter related festivals. During the summer when the snow is gone, it is still a great place for hiking and mountain biking.
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Maletsunyane Falls
Witness the rushing of water at Maletsunyane Falls - the picturesque waterfall located near the town of Semonkong, stands at 630 feet (192.02 m), it is one of Maseru’s most visited destinations. The falls which get their source from the Maletsunyane River passes through the ledge of a Triassic-Jurassic basalt before forming a natural pool at the bottom. It is also where the current world record for the highest basketball shot was made.
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Katse Dam
Opened in 1996, the Katse Dam is Africa’s second largest double-curvature arch Dam only outdone by the Tekezé Dam of Ethiopia. Sited just below the Bokong River Confluence, the dam supplies both Lesotho and South Africa with water – a typical visit to the Katse Dam involves cruising around a boat looking at the dam features, sometimes visitors might be lucky enough to experience an extreme sports event. Just around the corner is the Katse gardens established in 1996 as a result of the plant rescue missions to subdue the effects of the Katse Dam.
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Thaba Basiu National Monument
Named Thaba Basiu (meaning mountain at night) by Moshoeshoe I, the founder of the Basotho nation – it remains one of the most significant sites of the nation and played a major role in shaping the Lesotho of today. Covering an area of about 3 km, it was where Moshoeshoe negotiated and signed treaties with the British, establishing Lesotho’s current boundaries and also where the Basotho warriors fought the Boers. Some of its key attractions include the graveyard of Moshoeshoe and his family members, ancient buildings and rock paintings.
