Lesotho Accommodation, Fuel Locations and Routes Info : See Index in 1st Post

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Losper

Race Dog
Joined
Jun 20, 2009
Messages
3,257
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Location
Bloemfontein
Bike
Honda CRF-1000L Africa Twin
                                                                                    INDEX

1. General information for adventure biking in Lesotho. - See Below

2.  Lesotho Accommodation - Reply #1    page 1
3.  Fuel Locations - Reply # 2  page 1
4.  Himeville to Katse 5 options  - Reply # 3  page 1
5.  Ficksburg 2 day trip - Reply # 4  page 1
6.  Lesotho 3 day Highlights trip (Sanipass,  Katse,  Matebengpass,  Waterfall, Ongeluksnek pass) - Reply # 5  page 1
7.  Lesotho-Eastern Cape trip 4 day trip (Landene's nek,  War trail,  Tiffendell,  Ramatselitso pass,  Matebeng pass, Ongeluks nek pass) - Reply        #9  page 1
8.  Ladybrand to Semonkong waterfall 1 day trip (Great gravel and tar to visit the Maletsunyane waterfall)- Reply #10  page 1
9.  Lesotho and Eastern Cape 8 day trip.  Reply #29  page 2
10. Lesotho 6 day trip.  Reply #30  page 2
11. Lesotho 7 day trip that start and finish at Mountain Shadows hotel.  Reply #31 page 2
12. Lesotho technical 3 day trip starting at Peka bridge and ending at Maseru.  Reply #34 page 2
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                                                        General info regarding Lesotho

1. Respect the Basotho, it is their country and we are only visitors. Extremely IMPORTANT: never, ever ride in a ploughed or planted field. The crops are their food.

2. Lately they started asking for your vehicle, trailer and adventure bike's registration papers at all border posts. Also remember your passport, driver’s license, and license disc and number plate. (Unregistered plastic bikes are usually not checked if on a trailer)

3. There are seldom roadblocks but they are usually found on these roads:
A4 tar road between Mount Moorosi and Mafeteng.
A2 between Mafeteng and Maseru.
A1 between Maseru and Butha Buthe.
A3 between Maseru and Roma.
There are almost always a road block in Sefikeng, a village about 20km east of Thaba Bosio. It is easy to avoid it by taking the gravel road that bypass that section in the village.

There is usually a temporary "Stop" sign, make sure you stop dead at this "Stop" sign and while stopped look at the police man and wait for him to indicate to you to came closer to him before you set off from the "Stop" sign. Be polite, they usually check your driver’s license and ask you where you are headed. If for some reason you need to pay a fine it is payable right there at the police man. It is not a good idea to keep all your money in one wallet/pocket. Only take out the amount you are fined for. The amount is usually negotiable.

4. A lot of the gravel roads runs thru villages and there are many many small children that get extremely excited when they hear a motorbike. The usually runs towards the road without understanding the dangers. Be extremely careful and slow considerably down when you enter any village.
Be careful of taxis, they stop for no reason in the middle of the street right in front of you or take blind corners on the wrong side of the road.
Be constantly on the lookout for horses, donkeys, sheep etc., they are frightened by your bike's noise and run over the road right in front of you. Some animals (usually horses and donkey’s) are tied with a rope around their necks to a pole in the ground. Slow down considerably when driving past them and try not to scare them. It often happens that a herd of cattle or a flock of sheep are crossing the street followed by their herd’s boy. The have right of way, stop and weight for them to cross and don’t ride thru them.

5. You can use South African Rand in Lesotho but getting the correct change when you buy something can be difficult. I always take R200 or R300 worth of R10 and R20 notes with me, it makes life much much easier. The hotels and shops do not have credit card facilities, take enough cash with you.
6. Don't give sweets and / or money to the begging children, rather greet them in a friendly manner.

7. The throwing of pebbles and small rocks by children towards us bikers is unfortunately a reality but there has been an initiative by the government to educate them not to do it anymore and it seems to be successful.  I have learned an easy and successful solution to stop them doing it, whenever I see a child kneel down to pick up a pebble I point my finger at him and keep it pointed while driving past him. The other "trick" is just to be friendly and wave in general to them.

8. It takes much longer to cover a certain distance in Lesotho compared to the same distance in South Africa because of the thousands of twists and turns. I have learned that the earlier in the morning one can start your day the easier it is. We usually try to be on the road at sunrise or alternatively immediately after an early breakfast.

9. Lesotho is on average high up in the mountains. It can get extremely cold in the evenings so make sure to take warm clothes.

10. The rainy season is from middle October to end March.  Make sure to check the weather forecast and don't go if widespread rain or a cold front is foretasted.  Most gravel roads are almost impossible to ride when muddy.  The best time of the year to go is middle March to middle June and end August to middle November. Taking a rain jacket and pants is a must in the summer.
11. Think about your safety and the safety of the others in your group constantly. Most places in Lesotho are remote, if you get hurt you are potentially in big trouble.  Don’t take any chances, rather ride slower than usual and enjoy the scenery.

 
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