Malealea Lodge,

SA Contact - no telephones at Malealea - Tel: +27 (0) 82 552-4215 ; Fax: +27 (0) 866 481-815
malealea@mweb.co.za | - www.malealea.com

Malealea is situated in a remote part of Western Lesotho, breathtaking in its beauty and a chance to experience traditional Basotho life.

"Wayfarer, Pause and Look Upon
A Gateway of Paradise"

Inscription in the rock by Mervyn Bosworth-Smith, founder of Malealea, Trading Station in the early 1900's - now Malealea Lodge.


Lesotho is a world without fences. Breathtaking scenery abounds and every season has unique attractions. Malealea Lodge is run by the owners, Mick & Di Jones, both born in Lesotho and credited with more local knowledge than anyone. Various Basotho Children's choirs and a Local Basotho Band, using their local home-made instruments, entertain the guests in the evenings around a campfire.

A Memorable Holiday at Malealea

Outings range from 1 hour to 6 days or longer tailor-made to your requirements.
The treks are usually about 7 hours each day. No riding experience is necessary.
The huts and horses are hired from the Basotho people in remote areas.
The huts are very basic and are equipped with a gas cooker, cooking & eating utensils, mattresses on the floor. On trek you experience "THE REAL AFRICA".
The trails traverse spectacular mountain passes and some of Lesotho's highest waterfalls exploring Bushman paintings and experiencing "Basotho culture".
Basotho Guides and a packhorse accompany the treks.
Treks & trails are tailor made to suit your requirements.
All is flexible and can be arranged at a moments notice.
Specialised Outings at Malealea

Local Museum & School Visit.
Village Walks and Garden Project.
Sangoma - Traditional Healer appointment.
Local Childrens Choir & Band
Day Hikes & Pony Treks

Botsoela Waterfall Hike, Pony Trek or Scenic Drive
The Pitseng Canyon & Rockpool Hike
The Bushman Paintings & Echo Cave Hike or Pony Trek
The "Gates of Paradise Pass" hike along the ridge of the Matelile Ridge
Hikers: Take the "donkey work" out of backpacking by hiring horses to carry your luggage

Overnight Pony Trek & Hiking Trails Routes:

The Ribaneng Waterfall Trek - 2 days and 1 night in a village
The Ribaneng & Mountain Pass Trek 3 days & 2 nights in villages.
The Ribaneng & Ketane Waterfall Trek - 4 days & 3 nights in villages.
The Ribaneng, Ketane & Maletsunyane Trek - 5 days & 4 nights in villages
Ribaneng, Ketane & Maletsunyane Trek - 6 days & 5 nights in villages
Lesotho adventures start at Malealea, exploring the day outings before travelling across the country. Companions can be arranged at Malealea to accompany your trip, introducing you to local chiefs, helping in locating night camping sites, and ensuring your safety.

MALEALEA OFFERS "LESOTHO IN A NUTSHELL"
MALEALEA IS PERFECT FOR A 2 or 3 DAY STAY EN-ROUTE FROM JOHANNESBURG TO THE CAPE.
Malealea is situated in Lesotho, near the town of Wepener & Bloemfontein side of the Free State.
PLUS 2 Moorosi Chalets & a 2 bedroom Unit for the adventurous traveller to add a couple of days in
Southern Lesotho – Quthing area.

No of Rooms
TYPE OF ACCOMMODATION
2007 & 2008


22
Terrace Rondavels, shower en-suiteTowels Supplied
R200.00pp


18
Farmhouse rooms, shower en-suiteTowels Supplied
R150.00 pp


5
Basotho Huts & Rooms,
5 x Communal Bathrooms.
R100.00 pp


9
Forest Huts, 4 Communal Bathrooms Bring Own Towels & Sleeping Bag
R 80.00 pp



Camping
R 50.00 pp



CATERING
2007 & 2008



Breakfast
R 45.00 pp



Lunch
R 50.00 pp



Dinner
R 75.00 pp








DAY PONY TREKS – pp per day
2007 & 2008


3 + Pax
Day Pony Treks
160.00 pp


2 Pax

200.00 pp



Shorter Treks from
120.00 pp








OVERNIGHT HORSE TREKS
2007 & 2008


3 + Pax
Per Person Per Day
R230.00pp


2 Pax
Per Person Per Day
R 260.00 pp


PLUS
Village Accom pp per night
R50.00 pp








TRANSFERS
2007 & 2008


2 –3 Pax
ex Maseru & Return
R800.00 pp


4 + Pax
ex Maseru & Return
R600.00 pp







PONY TREKS; WHAT TO BRING;
Food, Sleeping Bags, RainSuit & Warm Clothing, Sunscreen & Hat, Torch, Candles or Gas Light.

Water Bottle – Optional Water Purifying Tablets.


SUGGESTED FOOD LIST FOR HORSE TREKS & TRAILS.

BREAKFAST
Muesli, Rusks, Longlife Milk, Apples, Oranges

LUNCH
Provita, Seed Loaf, Processed Cheese, Carrots, Cucumber, Lettuce, Tuna Mayonnaise, Tinned Ham & Beef, Mussels, Chocolates.

DINNER
Cup a Soup, Chinese Noodles, Smash, Pasta Sauces, (a-la can) Rice O Mix, Indian Tomato Curry Cans, Toppers, Tinned Vegetables, Tinned Fruit, Ultramel Custard, Caramel & Biscuits.


·Basotho Guides accompany all pony treks and a pack horse
is included in the price for the overnight treks.
·A pack-horse carries 50 kg: about 12.5 kg per person or 4 - 5 people per pack horse.
· Extra pack horses together with extra guides are hired at R300.00 per group per day.
90 Kg max weight per person. or hire extra horse
SUGGESTED ITINERARIES IN LESOTHO TO COMPLEMENT A SOUTHERN AFRICA TOUR.
TOUR 1: A 2 DAY PONY TREK: 2 NIGHTS AT MALEALEA LODGE & 1 NIGHT IN A BASOTHO VILLAGE:

Day 1
Arrive & overnight at Malealea Lodge

Day 2
A 6 - 7 hour Pony Trek to a Basotho village, where you will overnight in very basic Basotho huts or tents, experiencing "THE REAL AFRICA"

Day 3
An early morning hike, before returning on a circular route to Malealea Lodge

Day 4
Depart from Malealea.


PLEASE E-MAIL FOR QUOTE AS ROOMS & NUMBER OF DAYS TREKKING REQUIRED.

TOUR 2: A DAY PONY TREK & HIKES FROM MALEALEA LODGE - 3 NIGHTS AT MALEALEA LODGE.

Day 1
Arrive at Malealea Lodge, hot showers, rustic but comfortable accommodation overlooking the Maluti mountains.

Day 2
A day pony trek or hike to the Botsoela Waterfall & Bushman Paintings.

Day 3
A hike through the magnificent Pitseng Gorge & Rockpools

Day 4
Depart from Malealea Lodge.


TOUR 3 - MALEALEA HORSE TREKKING & HIKING HOLIDAY.
Suggested Pony Trek & Tour of Lesotho, but can be tailor made for any number of days.
Basotho Guides accompany the treks.

Day 1
Your destination is the Malealea Lodge at around 6,5O0 ft in the aptly named Valley of Paradise. A local Children's Basotho choir, a local band using home made instruments or Traditional dancing can be arranged for your entertainment on request. (Clients to tip children.) Accommodation at Malealea Lodge

Day 2
A hike to a nearby gorge that boasts Bushman Paintings done by the San nearly 500 years ago, and to the nearby Botsoela waterfall. (Or Pony Trek - extra) Accom -Malealea Lodge.

Day 3
3 A 6 - 7 hour horse trek to the small village of Ribaneng. An hours climb up to the beautiful waterfall behind the village. Accommodation in basic Basotho Village huts.

Day 4
4 A 6 - 7 hour horse trek over remote mountain passes to the village of Ha Hlalele. A short hike to view the Ketane waterfall & gorge, 122 m drop. Accommodation in basic Basotho Village huts.

Day 5
A 6 -7 hour trek to stay in a small Basotho village surrounded by a ring of mountains. Village Huts

Day 6
You descend into the Valley of Paradise, where you are welcomed with hot showers and the comforts of Malealea Lodge.

Day 7
A hike through The Pitseng Canyon where a cascade of three rock pools has been carved out over the centuries. Malealea Lodge.

Day 8
Depart from Malealea


LOCAL ATTRACTIONS AT MALEALEA VILLAGE

1
RECLAMATION OF A WASHOUT OR DONGA - SOIL EROSION. This is an outstanding example or hard work, determination and love of the country. About 10 years ago, this area was a 3 metre deep washout or (donga) caused by soil erosion.. Mr Musi has single handedly, using a leather apron to cart rocks, reclaimed the donga by building dams, planting trees, reeds and made numerous vegetable gardens. There is now a new eco system established with birds, reeds and new springs of water bursting out of the ground. Below you can witness a dried out donga of how his land used to look.

2
CHILDREN'S CHOIR. This choir is a group of children, who got together on their own to form a choir and enter local competitions in nearby towns. They now sing at the lodge on visitors request.

3
BASOTHO CHILDREN'S BAND, using homemade instruments. School visits

4
HORSES ARE HIRED FROM BASOTHO HORSE OWNERS and Overnight Villages are hired from Basotho Families.


DAY HIKES & PONY TREKS FROM MALEALEA LODGE.

1. THE BOTSOELA WATERFALL HIKE, PONY TREK OR DRIVE:
This hike takes you through steep gorges and valleys to a unique twin waterfall. A scenic drive traversing a spectacular mountain pass to join the hikers at the waterfall: HIKE: 2 - 4 hours: PONY TREK: 4 hour round trek. DRIVE: 2hours leisurely.

2. THE PITSENG GORGE & ROCKPOOL HIKE:
This hike takes you through magnificent overhanging rocks and three rockpools in a cascade, where you can spend the day swimming. HIKE: 2 hours return or 6 hours circular.

3. THE BUSHMAN PAINTINGS & ECHO CAVE HIKE OR PONY TREK.
HIKE: 1 hour from vehicle point. 3 hours from lodge return. PONY TREK: 2 Hours.

4. THE GATES OF PARADISE HIKE:
An all day hike along the ridge of the Matelile Range with 360 degree panorama views.



OVERNIGHT PONY TREKS & HIKING TRAILS FROM MALEALEA LODGE.
These treks are usually about 7 hours each day. No riding experience is necessary.
The huts are very basic and are equipped with mattresses, crockery, pots & pans.

1. Spring water is supplied in a bucket at each hut. On trek you stay in remote Basotho Villages
experiencing "THE REAL AFRICA". The trails traverse spectacular mountain passes and three of
Lesotho's highest waterfalls.

HIKERS take the "donkey work" out of backpacking, by hiring horses to carry your load.
RPT 2
THE RIBANENG WATERFALL TREK - 2 days & 1 night.
This trek is half way up the Maluti mountains and an hours walk to the Ribaneng Waterfall 100m in a remote & beautiful area.

RPT 3
THE RIBANENG WATERFALL TREK - 3 days & 2 nights. Spend the second day exploring the Ribaneng Falls & valley.

RPT 3b
THE RIBANENG WATERFALL TREK. - 3 days & 2 nights. Overnight in two different villages. A circular route back
to Malealea.

RPT 4
THE RIBANENG & KETANE WATERFALL TREK - 4 days & 3 nights. This trek takes you past really remote villages and to the Ketane Falls - 122m

RPT 4b
THE MATEKANE GORGE TREK: This trek takes you past even more remote villages exploring magnificent gorges & scenery. Smaller waterfalls en-route staying in various Basotho villages.

RPT 6
THE RIBANENG, KETANE & MALETSUNYANE WATERFALL TREK - 6 days & 5 nights.
This trek includes the spectaular Maletsunyane waterfall - 192 m - the highest single drop in Southern Africa.

SPECIAL
A GO ANYWHERE TREK: Bring your own cooking equipment and explore Lesotho, led by a Basotho guide, discovering new routes and remote villages for any number of days.



* MALEALEA LODGE - LESOTHO PONY TREKS & HIKING TRAILS
* WONDERFUL PHOTOGRAPHIC OPPORTUNITIES
* 4 x 4 EXCURSIONS experiencing BASOTHO CULTURE from Malealea
* START YOUR LESOTHO ADVENTURE AT MALEALEA before travelling across the country to other lodges.

A Basotho Companion can be arranged at Malealea to accompany your trip, introducing you to the local chiefs, where you might like
to camp for the night, ensuring your safety or general curiosity from inquisitive children.

1.
RIBANENG DRIVE, exploring tracks up various mountain passes. En-route, drives through Basotho villages to the top of the Pitseng Canyon. Try the river crossing, instead of the bridge!

2
BOTSOELA WATERFALL DRIVE hugging a mountain pass similar to a smaller version of "Sani Pass".

3
. MAKHALENG RIVER GORGE - SUNDOWNER 4 x 4 TRACK.



FULL DAY OUTINGS & DRIVES FROM MALEALEA LODGE.

1
SCENIC DAY DRIVE TO THABA BOSIU, MASERU, MORIJA MUSEUM & ARCHIVES.

2
A FULL DAYS DRIVE TO MALETSUNYANE WATERFALL -The highest single drop in SA

3
A FULL DAYS SCENIC DRIVE PAST MPHARANE, MOHALESHOEK, QUTHING (Dinasour Footprints) and up the magnificent passes to Mphaki.



FOR THE MORE ADVENTUROUS TRAVELLER, PLEASE ENQUIRE ABOUT OUR ADD-ON ITINERARY TO MOOROSI CHALETS,
"Lesotho's Best Kept Trout Fishing Secret" at Ha Liphapang Village, where Chief Jobo will host you in his Basotho Village or camping on the Sebapala River. Moorosi Chalets is 3hrs of tar road from Malealea, with the last 4 kms of gravel. Ha Liphapang is a 4x4 route.
Ha Tlhaku, 4x4 route, where Chief Mpiti will host you, is a great village to stay off the main route from Qachas Nek to Moorosi to Malealea
Driving in Lesotho:.
Please bring 2 red triangles in your car. At police stops, stop at the STOP sigh and wait there
until beckoned by police. Check Licence disc is not expired.

DIRECTIONS TO MALEALEA

JOHANNESBURG - MALEALEA - 500 KM.
Johannesburg, Kroonstad, Ventersburg, Senekal, Marquard, Clocolan, Ladybrand, Maseru, Motsekuoa, Malealea.

CAPE TOWN - MALEALEA - 1100KM
Cape Town, Colesburg, Smithfield, Rouxville, Zastron, Wepener, Mafeteng, Motsekuoa, Malealea.

DURBAN - MALEALEA - 700 KM
Durban, Harrismith, Golden Gate, Clarens, Ficksburg, Ladybrand, Maseru, Motsekuoa, Malealea.

BLOEMFONTEIN - MALEALEA - 200 KM
Bloemfontein, Dewetsdorp, Wepener, Mafeteng, Motsekuoa, Malealea.

MASERU TO MOTSEKUOA, DRIVE SOUTH FOR 52 KMS:
MAFETIENG TO MOTSEKUOA, DRIVE NOTH FOR 26 KMS.

NB. MASERU BORDER POST - BYPASS
1 km after the border post in Maseru, turn Right onto the Mafeteng bypass. This road comes out near the airport.
Turn RIGHT. DO NOT TAKE THE ROMA OR MORIJA TURNOFFS, BUT continue straight on the Southern Road,
until you get to Motsekuoa.
NB. At MOTSEKUOA, a taxi rank, TURN ONTO THE TAR ROAD.
Drive for 10kms, Fork Right, Drive for 15 kms, Turn Left, drive over "The Gates of Paradise Pass"
7 kms to Malealea Lodge

SMME AWARD - 2004 - Tourism Section
IMVELO AWARD - 2003 - OVERALL WINNER for responsible tourism,
2002 - FINALIST for Best Social Involvement.
FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING MAGAZINE ARTICLES.

1994, November
Woman's Value
Holiday on Horseback at Malealea

1995, November
Getaway
Pony Trekking in Lesotho – Patrick Wagner

1998, Apr & May
Getaway
4 x 4 Adventure in Lesotho – David Rogers

1999, April
Getaway
Top 10 Affordables

1999, June
Getaway
Northern Lesotho – Justin Fox

2000, Sept & Oct
Getaway
Source of the Orange River to the Mouth – Don Pinnock

2004, April
Getaway
Top 15 Family Destinations

1998, May
SA Country Life
Pony Trekking in Lesotho – Richard van Ryneveld

2001, July
SA Country Life
Where the Sky's the Limit – Jon von Ahlefeldt

2004, March
SA Country Life
In Cloud Country – Chris Marais & Julienne du Toit

2001, August
Choice UK
Lesotho – The Kingdom in the Sky

2001, Mar/Apr
Wanderlust UK
African Kingdoms – www.wanderlust.co.uk

2001 Jan
Newsweek
Around the world with the MacPhersons.
Week 26 – Pony trekking at malealea. . http://www.msnbc.com/modules/
Newsweek/macphersons/013001_thisweek.htm

2001, August
De Telegraaf
Amsterdam


Trekkers World
Germany

2002, Mar
The Sunday Tasmanian


2003, Apr
The Age Newspaper
Australia

2003, Nov
The Guardian
Imvelo Awards

2003, Dec
Afrika-Post –
Germany - Lesotho & Malealea Pony Trekking

2003, March
Ski Magazine
The Netherlands – Pony Trekking at Malealea.

2003, May
Ceval Loisirs,
France – Pony Trekking at Malealea

2005, November
SAWABONA
Lesotho – Land of Clouds














GUIDE BOOKS for SOUTHERN AFRICA.
§ Lonely Planet Travel Guides - Quote: " This is one of the Gems of Lesotho and is appropriately
advertised as 'Lesotho in a Nutshell . Malealea is the best place in Lesotho to go Pony Trekking."
§ Secret Southern Africa - Readers Digest.
§ Rough Guides
§ Footprints
§ Let's Go Southern Africa.

TELEVISION:

1995
SABC
Nature on Track

1995
Veronica Television – Holland
Host – Daphne Dekker Pony Trekking at Malealea

1996
Getaway Explorer
Pony Trekking at Malealea

1998
Getaway Explorer & Into Africa DSTV
4x4 Around Lesotho

1998
Out There Television
Pony Trekking & Community Tourism at Malealea

1999
Trailblazers – Discovery Television
Pony Trekking

1999
Japan Television
Well Known Japanese TV Host & Grand-daughter

2000
ARD TV – Germany
Lesotho & Malealea Pony Trekking

2000
African Journeys – SABC 2
Community Tourism at Malealea

2001
Sesame Street
Malelea Local Band & Life of a Shepherd

2002
Curious Pictures
Sharing our Voices

2003
Ampersand TV – France
The Horsemen, The Basotho (filmed life story of a Pony Trek Guide )

2005
Pasella TV
Pony Trekking with ex Miss South Africa – Cindy Nel



FIVE of the Best Ethical Holidays.Sunday Tmes UK. January 28,2001 – Fair Share – Pony Trekking.
One of the FIVE Best Ethical Holidays http://www.sunday-times.co.uk/travel
1. Southern Africa – Pony Trekking at Malealea & Game Watching at Madikwe
2. Nepal – trekking to the DUDH KUND
3. Egypt – Riding and Walking with Camels
4. America – Hiking & Riding with the Navajo in the canyon country of Arizona
5. Eucador – Trekking along trails laid down by the Yungas in the Maquipucuma cloud forest.





SA Contact - no telephones at Malealea - Tel: +27 (082) 552-4215 all day - Fax: +27 (0) 866 481-815
malealea@mweb.co.za | PO Box 27974, Danhof, Bloemfontein, 9310, RSA - [Site design by SATGo]
















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