Mathebeng Pass
S29 52.576 E28 58.083
alt 28250m
When Lesotho is good its awesome, when its not, its awful (and can be dangerous).
Mathebeng is the name of a pass on the A4 (yes, roads in Lesotho do have names) between Sehlabathebe and Mathebeng Village.
To get there, go to Matatiele in RSA (tar road) then take the Quacha's Nek road north towards Maloti "Village" (area) (gravel after about 8kms). Go into Lesotho via Ramatseliso's Gate S30 02.968 E28 55.981 or (if you miss the signpost at the petrol station at the top of the hill in Maloti !) via Quacha's Nek S30 07.732 E28 41.271. From either border post you follow the A4 towards Sehlabathebe and turn left just before you get there at Ha Edward S29 53.901 E29 02.990. The road is easy to follow and there are signposts, but ask for directions at the border post or shops along the way and take a map AND gps - you don't want to get lost, especially in winter !
If you do ask directions, be aware that Basothu (citizens of Lesotho - an individual is a Mosotho, not a Lesothian) speak Sesothu, and most understand isiZulu. Most school children speak some English, but often learn by rote and may not understand very much (even if they greet you perfectly and ask who you are & where you are going). Many rural shops are owned by Chinese, who often speak Sesothu and their dialect, but not much English. Do not expect accurate directions if you simply point in a particular direction and say the name of the place you think is in that direction - the answer is often yes, no matter what you say or where you point.
The Rama's gate road is steep, has lots of loose rocks and is probably only a little easier than Sani. The Quacha's road is good, but all roads in the area are steep, slippery when wet & must be treated with respect.
The A4 in Lesotho is generally a good gravel road (the main roads in Lesotho are surprisingly good, except when they're being worked on) but Mathebeng Pass itself must not be underestimated. A cold front or thunderstorm can cause road conditions to deteriorate from beginner level to advanced-impossible in a matter of minutes.
Matat to the top of Mathebeng pass & back via Rama's in one day is do-able, but check border post closing times (they differ, Rama's is usually 3,00pm and Quachas's 4,00pm) and turn back if you see you are running short of time.
You will have to overnight in Lesotho if you go much further than the top of the pass - find out about camping rules and "lodge" accomodation from Lesotho tourism (the horror stories that got circulated a few years ago about bikes being burnt etc are very much the exception, although minor stone throwing incidents are common - Basotho throw stones to attract attention, direct livestock and for all sorts of reasons other than just agression. My experience is that they are generally very friendly and respond to the way they are treated. Do not hand out sweets, that just promotes begging).
If you do go further than the top of the pass, Matat to Katsi via Sehonghong in one day is possible, but is a long day and the road from the Linakeng river to Sehohong is often little more than a track (albeit stark & beautiful), with very challenging sections out of the Linakeng/Senqu Valley and from Sehonghong River to the village. The rivers are often impassable in summer, and everything is often impassable in winter. (There is a lodge at Sehonghong, I have never stayed there.)
Petrol is almost always available at Quachas Nek and Katsi, usually at Tsaba Tseke, possibly at Sehonghong but almost never (or never often enough to take a chance) at Rama's gate, Mathebeng, Mashai etc.
Lesotho has far better municipal, police and tourist structures than many South Africans realise. Some areas are very remote (unspoilt), however, and conditions literally change as quickly as the weather.
Plan your trip carefully, conduct yourself like a responsible visitor to a foreign country and Lesotho is awesome.
BTW -
Khotso means "hello" (also "peace"),
Upeelejowa means "how are you" and
Kee a batla indlela ea Mathibeng means "I am looking for the road to Mathibeng".
S29 52.576 E28 58.083
alt 28250m
When Lesotho is good its awesome, when its not, its awful (and can be dangerous).
Mathebeng is the name of a pass on the A4 (yes, roads in Lesotho do have names) between Sehlabathebe and Mathebeng Village.
To get there, go to Matatiele in RSA (tar road) then take the Quacha's Nek road north towards Maloti "Village" (area) (gravel after about 8kms). Go into Lesotho via Ramatseliso's Gate S30 02.968 E28 55.981 or (if you miss the signpost at the petrol station at the top of the hill in Maloti !) via Quacha's Nek S30 07.732 E28 41.271. From either border post you follow the A4 towards Sehlabathebe and turn left just before you get there at Ha Edward S29 53.901 E29 02.990. The road is easy to follow and there are signposts, but ask for directions at the border post or shops along the way and take a map AND gps - you don't want to get lost, especially in winter !
If you do ask directions, be aware that Basothu (citizens of Lesotho - an individual is a Mosotho, not a Lesothian) speak Sesothu, and most understand isiZulu. Most school children speak some English, but often learn by rote and may not understand very much (even if they greet you perfectly and ask who you are & where you are going). Many rural shops are owned by Chinese, who often speak Sesothu and their dialect, but not much English. Do not expect accurate directions if you simply point in a particular direction and say the name of the place you think is in that direction - the answer is often yes, no matter what you say or where you point.
The Rama's gate road is steep, has lots of loose rocks and is probably only a little easier than Sani. The Quacha's road is good, but all roads in the area are steep, slippery when wet & must be treated with respect.
The A4 in Lesotho is generally a good gravel road (the main roads in Lesotho are surprisingly good, except when they're being worked on) but Mathebeng Pass itself must not be underestimated. A cold front or thunderstorm can cause road conditions to deteriorate from beginner level to advanced-impossible in a matter of minutes.
Matat to the top of Mathebeng pass & back via Rama's in one day is do-able, but check border post closing times (they differ, Rama's is usually 3,00pm and Quachas's 4,00pm) and turn back if you see you are running short of time.
You will have to overnight in Lesotho if you go much further than the top of the pass - find out about camping rules and "lodge" accomodation from Lesotho tourism (the horror stories that got circulated a few years ago about bikes being burnt etc are very much the exception, although minor stone throwing incidents are common - Basotho throw stones to attract attention, direct livestock and for all sorts of reasons other than just agression. My experience is that they are generally very friendly and respond to the way they are treated. Do not hand out sweets, that just promotes begging).
If you do go further than the top of the pass, Matat to Katsi via Sehonghong in one day is possible, but is a long day and the road from the Linakeng river to Sehohong is often little more than a track (albeit stark & beautiful), with very challenging sections out of the Linakeng/Senqu Valley and from Sehonghong River to the village. The rivers are often impassable in summer, and everything is often impassable in winter. (There is a lodge at Sehonghong, I have never stayed there.)
Petrol is almost always available at Quachas Nek and Katsi, usually at Tsaba Tseke, possibly at Sehonghong but almost never (or never often enough to take a chance) at Rama's gate, Mathebeng, Mashai etc.
Lesotho has far better municipal, police and tourist structures than many South Africans realise. Some areas are very remote (unspoilt), however, and conditions literally change as quickly as the weather.
Plan your trip carefully, conduct yourself like a responsible visitor to a foreign country and Lesotho is awesome.
BTW -
Khotso means "hello" (also "peace"),
Upeelejowa means "how are you" and
Kee a batla indlela ea Mathibeng means "I am looking for the road to Mathibeng".
