Lesotho

At a Glance

Lesotho is a small mountain kingdom entirely surrounded by South Africa, known as the Kingdom in the Sky for its high altitude landscape of basalt plateaus, dramatic river gorges, and pony trekking routes through Basotho villages. The culture is centred on the Basotho people, known for their distinctive blankets and horseback traditions. It suits travellers who want a memorable mountain experience combined with cultural engagement, and it pairs well with a broader southern Africa itinerary.

• Entirely surrounded by South Africa — one of only three countries in the world encircled by another.
• Has the highest lowest point of any country — even its valleys are above 1,400 metres.
• Exports water to South Africa — a rare case of a poor country selling a resource to a rich neighbour.