LESOTHO TOUR – RIDING ON THE ROOF OF AFRICA

USFULES

Documentation

You will need a passport and appropriate travel insurance. Currently UK citizens (and those from many countries) will be granted a tourist visa upon arrival in South Africa and Lesotho. It is, however, your responsibility to check that you can legally enter the country. Most ‘western’ driving licences are also valid (with photo and written in English), but please also check your status before travelling.

Currency

You should get by on around £400 spending money if you don’t do a lot of shopping. Cash and travellers’ cheques can be changed at the airport and in the larger towns. Cash points are widespread and most vendors accept credit/debit cards. Cash is best for fuel stations as it speeds up what can otherwise be a lengthy process. Depending on what bike you choose and how you ride it, expect to part with about £100 for fuel.

Lesotho currency called loti. Today for [currency amount=”1″ from=”GBP” to=”ZAR” append=”” round_append=”” iso=false between=’ you will get about ‘] lotis.

Climate

At the time of year we will be visiting, South Africa should be nice and sunny, but not too hot, even at the coast. Obviously, though, we can’t guarantee this and you should be prepared for the possibility of a couple of wet days. Lesotho, due to the altitude, can be cold in the early mornings and evenings, though generally the days are warm and sunny. The maximum temperature is likely to be around 30ºC on the coast/in the desert; the minimum 0ºC (at night in the mountains, if it has been overcast during the day).

Bike Kit

We advise riders to consider their kit in terms of layers, so you can adjust to be comfortable during the course of a varied day. Clothing as you would wear on a tour of Europe is perfectly suitable, whether leathers, or textiles. Some kind of waterproofing is a very good idea. Bring something warm for the evenings. Good gear can also prevent a minor spill causing a trip-ruining injury, so we require that you ride with no exposed skin (except your face).

Luggage

While your main luggage will be carried in a support vehicle, your bike will be equipped with a top-box for carrying spare kit, cameras, water, etc. Your main bag must be ‘soft’ and not a suitcase.

Fitness

You need not be any more fit on this tour than if you were riding in Europe. However, if you have any existing medical condition that may affect you during the tour, please consult your doctor and Blazing Trails before booking. With maximum altitudes of around 3000m, some altitude-related discomfort is a possibility, however altitude sickness at this level is unlikely.

Riding Skills

While we insist those joining us have a full motorcycle licence, and recommend a minimum of a year’s riding experience, time in the saddle and miles ridden are of more relevance to a tour like this. There are a couple of longer days in the saddle, up to a maximum of around 550km (350 miles) in a day. We do, though, try to design the tours so you get an easier day, or down day, after a long ride.

Health & Hygiene

South Africa and Lesotho are very clean and hygienic countries (in SA we’d say more so than the UK), with clean ablutions and usually safe tap-water, so the chances of getting even a ‘holiday tummy’ are low. The areas through which this tour passes has no malaria risk.

Eating & Drinking

South African restaurant food will be familiar to those coming from the West. Food is of a high standard and is very good value (especially meat and seafood dishes), being less than half the equivalent cost of the UK. One of the world’s great wine producers, South Africa is a great place to sample the grape, which is also great value for money. Decent beers (mainly lagers) are available everywhere.

On our tours, food other than breakfasts will only be inclusive where there is little or no choice, or where we have arranged something special (barbeques etc). For the number of meals included in the trip, see ‘What The Tour Price Includes’ (above). We have arranged the tour like this so participants can choose the what, wheres and explore for themselves. Not everybody wants to eat in a group every night, eat the same thing, or at the same time. We will, however, be happy to advise on eateries…

Excursions

As with eating, we do not want to prescribe what non-riding activities you choose to participate in. In many places there are several options, so we will be happy to advise, put you in touch with the right people and let you decide. If you want to add days to your tour, in order to do some wildlife viewing or any other activity let us know and we will arrange it for you.

Personal Safety

While South Africa has had some pretty bad press in recent years for violent crime, very little of this nature happens in the tourist areas through which we will be travelling. And, as ever, the media tends to sensationalize the bad and ignore the good. Being guided through the ‘right’ areas in a group greatly mitigates the chances of encountering unpleasantness. Petty crime – pick-pocketing and theft – happens, as it does in virtually all tourist destinations with a wide gulf between rich and poor. A few simple precautions, like keeping your wallet/docs in an inside pocket and leaving nothing unattended on the bike, should mean a trouble-free tour. The mountainous areas of Lesotho have incredibly low incidences of crime.

Medical facilities

Southern Africa has developed enough emergency services and an efficient private health-care system. Lesotho is less developed and so should a serious incident occur, any casualty would be evacuated to South Africa for treatment. Travel insurance, including medical cover, is compulsory on this trip.

How do I book?

The tours can be booked online, by email, or over the phone on: +44 (0) 7494 050404. To secure a place you will be asked to put down a deposit of £500 and payment can be made by card, cheque, or bank transfer.

CAN I BOOK FROM OUTSIDE THE UK?

Yes. We enjoy hosting riders from all countries.

are Flights included?

Flights are not included in the price of your tour, but we can provide details of where to book an appropriate flight.

Where do I get a visa?

For many nationalities, a tourist visa is issued free of charge at your port of entry. It is, however, your responsibility to check current regulatuons.

What other paperwork do I need?

You will need a valid certificate of travel insurance.

WHERE DO the bikes come from?

We own and manage our own fleet of bikes.

WHat happens if i damage the bike?

If you damage the bike, you will be charged for the damage up to the amount of your excess. On all our bikes, the excess is £1000, so in the event of a mishap you will not be charged more than this amount. If the damage is less than this amount, then you will only be charged for that damage.

If you have damaged the bike near to this total, we may ask you to place a further deposit before continuing.

DO I NEED INSURANCE?

Yes, you need travel insurance to cover you for the period of the tour. This insurance must cover you to ride the bike you have booked.

Where should I change money?

We would advise that you change some money on arrival at the airport. ATMs are widespread and an efficient way to get hold of cash. Credit and debit cards are accepted nearly everywhere.

why did the mexican push his wife off the cliff?

Tequila.

How much spending money will I need?

About 300-£400 should cover food, drink, petrol and sundries.

Will I have to share a room?

Yes, unless you pay a supplement. Even then, single rooms may not be available at some stops as the hotels we use are popular, or in some cases small, and we have to book our accommodation some time in advance.

What standard is the accommodation?

It varies widely (and tour-to-tour), but is always clean and the best we can find in the area for a reasonable price in a suitable setting. We are always in clean, comfortable hotels and guesthouses.

Will we have electricity?

Yes, but you may need a travel plug adaptor.

How much riding experience do I need?

We would recommend only booking a tour with us if you have a licence to ride your tour bike (compulsory) and have at least a year’s recent riding experience. The main criterion, however, is confidence.

Is riding in south africa dangerous?

Riding anywhere carries with it a degree of risk, as does riding in South Africa. However, with light traffic and good roads, we would suggest that riding in South Africa is no more dangerous than a tour in Europe. For more information on the riding side of things see ‘Riding’ in the ‘About South Africa’ section of this site. If any rider joining us rides in a manner we suspect will endanger themselves, or others, or indeed displays antisocial behaviour, they will receive one warning. If they continue to display a threat to the safety or enjoyment of others on the tour, they will be excluded from the remainder (with no refund given, see terms and conditions).

How fast will we be riding?

We will be riding ‘progressively’, at or around the speed limit and according to conditions. Most South African roads outside built-up areas have a 75mph speed limit – fast enough on the twisties. There are fixed cameras and mobile speed traps in towns…

Can I use the bike in the evenings?

No, you can’t ride independently of the tour group, sorry.

How fit do I need to be?

No fitter than you would have to be to tour Europe.

Can I take a pillion?

Yes.

How much luggage can I bring?

You are limited by most airlines, so check with the carrier. However, we suggest you pack as lightly and in as compact a form as possible. Bring only soft luggage to be carried on a support truck.

How much luggage should I bring?

Keep it minimal. One set of riding kit for the tour and a few sets of clothes for the evening. There are usually laundry facilities at two-night stops – check your chosen itinerary. Leave some space for shopping you do in SA.

Isn’t south africa A Dangerous crime hell?

While South Africa has had some pretty bad press in recent years for violent crime, very little of this nature happens in the tourist areas through which we will be travelling. And, as ever, the media tends to sensationalise the bad and ignore the good. Being guided through the ‘right’ areas in a group greatly mitigates the chances of encountering unpleasantness. Petty crime – pick-pocketing and theft – happens, as it does in virtually all tourist destinations with a wide gulf between rich and poor. A few simple precautions, like keeping your wallet/docs in an inside pocket and leaving nothing unattended on the bike, should mean a trouble-free tour. You will be briefed on sensible measures prior to setting off.

Do I need a towel?

If you’re wet, yes. They are provided throughout the tour.

Is food included in the price?

Only some meals (check your tour for details). We prefer that where there are choices you make your own on what and where we eat. You will find South African food of a very high standard and good value.

Is it safe to enter a cage full of cheetahs?

It seems not, as we can no longer offer this experience…

Are laundry facilities available on-tour?

They are, but not every night. Check the itinerary of your tour – you will be able to get clothes cleaned at two-night stops, so consider this when packing.

Do I need waterproofs?

Yes. If your riding kit isn’t waterproof, then bring some light waterproofs.

I want to see a lion, will I, will I, go on, please?

Maybe, maybe not, but if you take part in a safari at Kruger, St Lucia, or Addo Elephant Reserve you will certainly see some interesting wildlife and landscapes.

Will there be a mozzie problem?

Not really. There may be a few around, but you won’t be plagued. Bring some repellent. South Africa is pretty much malaria-free, but for advice on anti-malarials, please consult your doctor (take the itinerary with you).

what’s the difference between a gnu and a wildebeest?

You can’t paddle a wildebeest.

Do I need to bring a sleeping bag?

No.

IS IT SAFE TO swim in the sea?

Depends on whether there are any great whites around. We would advise you to ask locally – and then go and get a beer instead.

What medication should I bring & what inoculations are required?

Consult your GP/travel clinic for immunisation and malaria advice. Bring enough of any prescribed medication you take regularly. A basic first aid kit is useful (plasters, antiseptic cream, bite/sting relief, plus insect repellent).

Should I bring a seat pad?

Gel or air pads add comfort on long days in the saddle, but are not necessary.

I HEAR THAT ELEPHANTS ARE THE MOST DANGEROUS ANIMAL IN NEPAL – IS THIS TRUE?

Yes, but you’re going to South Africa.

Riding in Lesotho

If ever the were an ‘ultimate’ bike riding destination then this is it, whether on tarred roads or dirt.

Thanks to an influx of Chinese investment, new roads have been built, old ones upgraded and sealed. These roads, nearly all smooth and grippy, spiral up and over vast mountain ranges and pass along pristine river valleys with barely a straight for hundreds of kilometres at a stretch. And using these fine roads is almost nothing motorised! Away from the main centres of population you will come across horses, donkeys and goats, but it is possible to ride for hours without seeing another vehicle.

Although many roads have been upgraded, there are still many thousands of kilometres of dirt roads and tracks, varying in condition and severity.

Aside from the main towns around Maseru, traffic is so scarce as to be barely worth commenting upon. When a local car/taxi is encountered in the hills, flashed lights and horn are often given in greeting and vehicles will usually pull aside to let a bike pass.

Speed limits are often silly-low, with 50kph areas very common. Worth adhering to when in towns and villages, as with such light traffic the locals aren’t expecting anything coming. On open stretches speed limits are usually 80kph, but with nobody out there they are mainly ignored.

So, take the best roads you can imagine, remove the traffic, whirl them around a stunning mountain setting and what have you got? Riding heaven….

Money

The Lesotho Loti is the local currency and it is pegged at a one-to-one ratio against the South African Rand. Credit and debit cards are widely accepted in lodges and ATMs are commonplace in the bigger settlements. Daily essentials, such as food, drink and fuel are very cheap if you are earning in a major currency.

There are currently 21 Lesotho Loti to the UK Pound.

Geography

The Kingdom of Lesotho is, on average, the highest coutry in the world. Of its 30,355 square kilometres the lowest point is 1400m above sea level, with 80 per cent of the country at 1800m or above. Lesotho, an independent sovereign state, is completely surrounded by South Africa.

Cities & demographics

Although there are a number of regional centres that are given the status of a ‘city’, most you would not recognise as such. Maseru, the capital is by far the largest settlement, with 10 per cent of the entire country’s population at around 250,000 souls. Around 75 per cent of Lesotho’s population live on the lower, warmer northern side of the country, three-quarters of those living a rural existence. The mountainous highlands are sparsely inhabited.

Climate

Being set at such a height, the Lesotho climate is cool compared to surrounding South Africa. In the lower reaches around Maseru, temperatures can top 30ºC in summer, down to -5ºC in the depths of winter. In the highlands temperatures can vary between around 26ºC in summer and can get down to -15ºC in wintertime. Snow is possible year-round on the highest peaks and mornings and evenings are usually cool.

Lesotho has a temperate climate with well-marked seasons. Summer is the rainy season; 85 per cent of rainfall occurs from October to April, especially in the mountains. Snow occurs in the highlands from May to September. The hottest period is from January to February. Lesotho is usually a land of clear blue skies and more than 300 days of sunshine per year.

Economy

Lesotho is classed as a very poor and underdeveloped country; according to UN figures 57 per cent of the population live below the poverty line, earning less than $1.50 per day. The country has the third-highest incidence of AIDS, which goes a long way to explain a life expectancy of under 50 years. On the plus side, Lesotho has an extremely high literacy rate – 81 per cent among men and 97 per cent for women.

Due to only 10 per cent of the land being suitable for agriculture, Lesotho relies on imports from South Africa for much of its food.

Income is derived from diamond mining and the manufacturing of clothing. Tourism makes a very small contribution, as it is extremely low-key.

Health Information

Private medical facilities are few and far; government facitlities poor and overburdened. The closest decent hospitals are in South Africa and it to there that any serious casualty should be evacuated. This can be done by road or air, through a South African private emergency service. We will be taking a support vehicle on our Blazng Trails tours to Lesotho so that we can move people as necessary.

You must have appropriate travel insurance to undertake any tour.

The areas covered by this tour are free from malaria, but there are some incidences in the Kruger National Park area. Please consult your physician about medical risks.

Tap water is safe to drink in most places and food hygiene is good.

Politics & History

The Basotho nation emerged in 1818 when King Moshoeshoe (1786-1870) formed an alliance with an amalgam of clans and chiefdoms of Southern Sotho people who occupied the area which is presently the Northern and Eastern Free State and Western Lesotho from about 1400AD. In 1824 attacks by the Tlokoa clan revealed weaknesses in the Butha-Buthe fortress that the Basotho were occupying, which led to a move to the plateau known today as historic site Thaba-Bosiu. The arrival of Missionaries in 1833 – which was also the arrival of potatoes, wheat, fruit trees, domestic animals, new schools and printed books in the Sesotho languages – was a pivotal moment in the history of the Basotho.

Lesotho went through many political developments during the period of 1833-1868, during which Moshoeshoe’s statesmanship and diplomacy saved the Basotho nation from extinction in wars with the Kora, the Amangwane, the Ndebele and the Batlokoa, among others. Mainly for protection in other lands wars, Lesotho became an official British protectorate in 1868. Not long after this, in 1870, King Moshoeshoe 1 died.

Following the rule of different Basotho chiefs, in around 1960 a new nationalist movement led by a commoner, Ntsu Mokhehle, emerged. Mokhehle was an educated and articulate leader of the Basotho Congress Party (BCP), which set the political agenda for the 1950s. The chiefs then formed their own party in fear of the BCP democratising chieftainship. Thus, under the leadership of Chief Leabua Jonathan, the Basotho National Party (BNP) was formed.

In 1963 the Constitutional Review Commission approved a Westminster-style government, which saw King Moshoeshoe II enjoying few powers. This meant 60 seats to be elected by adult suffrage in the Lower House, and the Senate would consist of 22 Principal and Ward chiefs and 11 monarch-nominated members. The Constitution, meanwhile, received support from Britain and elections for the first government were held in 1965 with independence following in 1966.

The post-independence period saw alternation of power between BNP and BCP. Following a military-led overthrow of the BNP government in 1986, the country was under military rule until 1993, when the King was given executive powers and political parties were banned. Long-awaited general elections were held in March 1993 after revision of the Constitution – the result was a landslide victory for the BCP. The BCP ruled until a split led to the formation of Lesotho Congress for Democracy (LCD) ahead of the controversial 1998 elections. LCD won the 2002 and 2007 elections, finally splitting ahead of the 2012 elections and forming the breakaway Democratic Congress, led by the outgoing Prime Minister.

In May 2012 the results of the general elections led to formation of the first-ever coalition government by three parties: All Basotho Convention (ABC), Basotho National Party (BNP) and Lesotho Congress for Democracy (LCD). This tripartite coalition currently rules Lesotho.

The King is the Head of State and Principal Chiefs are responsible for different districts in the country.

To the present, the political situation in Lesotho remains in tension between the influences of royalty, the two main political parties, the police and the military. Although this leads to drama, minor coups and intrigue, the political situation has never made Lesotho dangerous to outsiders.

Crime & Annoyances

The crime rate in Lesotho’s urban areas is fairly high, due to large scale unemployment and poverty. In the outlying areas there is far less – in many places close to zero – and tourists have little to fear. We will be avoiding the main cities and there is security in travelling as a group.

Begging can be annoying, but is to be expected due to low incomes and does not happen on a daily basis. This usually takes the form of children begging at the roadside and occasionally non-threatening approaches by adults. There are reports of children throwing stones when cars fail to stop and hand out sweets – we have not experienced this on the bikes in Lesotho.