Lesotho, Horse Riding in Drakensberg

By: Virginia Imberti Posted: 26/06/2020

In this article, let’s visit Lesotho, a small African country surrounded on all sides by another nation, South Africa, and whose high peaks are ideal for horseback riding.

Lesotho has the highest lowest point of any country in the world, 1,400 meters above sea level. Most people are distributed among the mountains, surrounded by cliffs, waterfalls and snow-capped peaks.

The Basotho pony, the native horse breed, is still today used for transport.

The entire highlands of Lesotho are crisscrossed with horse and donkey trails used to transport people and goods throughout the country. There are no fences at all.

When riding in this country, it is common to see many local riders going about their daily business on horseback.

Enjoy horseback riding in Lesotho, its challenging mountain trails and stunning scenery! It will be a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Equestrian tourism in Lesotho

Its rugged mountain terrain is perfect for riders looking for challenging trails and stunning landscapes on their horseback riding vacations.

Vast expanses of natural areas contain countless treasures, including San rock art, dinosaur bones and fossil tracks.

Horseback adventure vacations in Lesotho will take you from one end of the country to the other, a 350 km journey in 7 days of riding with very steep ascents and descents. This crossing of Lesotho on horseback is the ultimate challenge for experienced trail riders.

At Khotso Lesotho Expedition, they organize this tour and sell their horse riding holidays directly.

Khotso Lodge & Horse Trails

Located near Drakensberg, the highest mountains in South Africa, in the Thabana Ntlenyanaregion, with an altitude of 3,482 metres above sea level. It’s no wonder the Southern Drakensberg is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

A peaceful and tranquil paradise surrounded by beautiful landscapes.

Attracts countless visitors wanting to see the jagged mountains and magnificent rock art sites from South Africa, its changing colours, breathtaking sunsets, clean air and crystal clear night skies.

At Khotso, all of this is on your doorstep. With immediate access to over 1,300 hectares of rolling foothills on the farm, the world-famous Sani Pass is a short drive away and the entrance to the National Park itself is only 30 minutes door to door.

Accommodation with Khotso Lesotho Expedition

Khotso is your basecamp in the mountains whether you want to hike till you drop, ride out on horseback, or relax by the fire with a cold beer under the stars next to the braai (barbecue).

Looking out over the jagged peaks of the Southern Drakensberg and onto the Underberg valley below, you will be all surrounded by the most breathtaking landscape.

Rondawels

Circular cabins will be completely your own, and each has its own facilities for your sole use. With a newly refurbished kitchen and seating area, each rondawel offers one double bedroom, 3 single beds on a mezzanine floor, a decked balcony overlooking the gorge, an internal heating stove and a separate braai area for cooking under the stars.

Backpackers Lodge

En Suite: Nestled in each wing of the Backpackers Lodge, your own shower room and views over the garden.

Twin: With 2 single beds and a desk, the twin room shares a bathroom in the Backpackers Lodge and has easy access to the kitchen and the relaxed seating and dining area.

Double: The comfortable double rooms all share shower and toilet facilities in the Backpackers Lodge.

Dorm Room: shared dorms.

Mobile or Star Horse Rides

Khotso is a working horse and sheep farm. There are animals here and their daily activity is to take care of them.

Khotso has been offering horse riding in the Southern Drakensberg for well over a decade and making this most incredible activity, Equestrian Tourism, accessible to all intrepid travellers visiting this beautiful mountain range.

They are horse trail specialists with the most experienced horses in the area, and they have the perfect basecamp to explore the surroundings during the day and to unwind at the end of the riding day, with the Star or Mobile Modality.

Horseback Expeditions

Founded and run by wild adventurer Steve Black, they are the only operator running regular and bespoke multi-day cross-border horseback expeditions into the untouched wilds of Lesotho.

Open all year round, their horse trails all start from the Khotso Backpackers Lodge and criss-cross over 1,300 hectares of rolling Khotso land.

Now, talking about equestrian tourism, their so-called Lesotho Expedition is a must. Pristine nature and mountain riding trails.

The itinerary will take you riding from Khotso in South Africa, near the eastern border of Lesotho, trails climbing up to 3,000 metres above sea level through the Bushman’s Nek mountain pass - right through the heart of Maloti-Drakensberg, World Heritage Site.

You will literally climb this mountain pass on horseback. The horse trails will take you right through the heart of the Sehlabathebe National Park. You will explore parts of two countries most tourists never get the chance to see, unless they do it on horseback.

When the night comes, riders go to sleep in rustic but picturesque mountain refuges, some are quite basic and simple, others are really comfortable, but all of them with excellent views.

This is the time to share with the people who live and work in this extraordinary mountain realm. At dinner, you can listen to their local stories.

The accompanying support vehicle takes your personal luggage so you just need to carry what you need for the day with you on the horse.

Conditions of this horseback expedition

• It’s a challenging 7-day horseback trek and each day you’ll ride for at least 6 hours. You must be physically fit and the weight limit is 95 Kg. An intermediate level of riding experience is required.

• The terrain is mountainous with some steep and rocky sections, where you’ll need to dismount and lead your horse.

• The riding is a mixed pace, mainly walk with some trots and canters.

• These rides are not suitable for those who suffer from vertigo. This is a physically exerting trail across challenging terrain.

Their horses and saddles

The horses are local Boerperd and Basotho ponies with an Arab blood line running through the herd. These horses aren’t very tall, but they are strong and foot sure, something that is crucial on this rocky area.

The saddles are South African trail saddles. All horses are ridden in snaffle bridles on a loose rein. The riding style is English. Hard hats are mandatory.

There is more information about this incredible equestrian tourism option in Lesotho, on their web site: https://www.khotso.co.za

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/ Photos from: https://www.khotso.co.za. /

Are you also passionate about the idea of travelling the world on horseback?

Argentina is a country with a long-standing tradition of horses. Exploring the country on horseback is something unique – a highly recommended experience. In our eBook "Discover Argentina, the Land of the Gaucho, on Horseback" you will find our options to enjoy Argentina on horseback.

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