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Fully surrounded by South Africa, Lesotho is one of just a handful of monarchies in Africa. The only independent state that lies entirely above 1,000 metres, it’s sometimes called the ‘kingdom in the sky’. Although Lesotho is primarily known for its cultural attractions, linked to the Basotho majority, the country also has its fair share of potential wildlife encounters. You’ll find them in the top national parks in Lesotho.
Sehlabathebe National Park
This national park is both the largest and oldest protected area in Lesotho. It was created to preserve a landscape that shifts between rolling high-altitude grasslands, rock pools, waterfalls and naturally-formed caves and rock arches.
Its most famous attraction is perhaps a range of mountains known as the Devil’s Knuckles. But it forms part of the much larger UNESCO World Heritage Site of Maloti-Drakensberg. As its name suggests, it stretches across the border with South Africa.
The park is best explored either under your own steam or with the aid of a horse. That way you can see some of the 65 different rock art sites with ease.
When it comes to wildlife, keep an eye out for grey rhebok antelope, black-backed jackals and baboons. Hundreds of bird species have also been recorded in the park.
Ts’ehlanyane National Park
Still high in the mountains, Ts’ehlanyane National Park sits among the peaks of the Maluti. However, it’s an easy journey northeast of the national capital, Maseru.
The city has plenty to offer visitors, in addition to the nation’s main international airport. Flights mainly arrive from South Africa, and can be booked online with CheapOAir. Many instead opt for the dramatic entry into the country via the Sani Pass, a road I can contest is not one for those without personal off-road experience.
Ts’ehlanyane is named after the indigenous bamboo that holds sway here. But the park is also an important area of montane forest. It remains largely green throughout the year thanks to the presence of the Ouhout tree.
Ts’ehlanyane is one of the best (and only) places in the country where sighting regal eland is still a possibility. Birders certainly won’t feel short changed either, with species as diverse as malachite sunbirds and bush blackcaps.
Bokong Nature Reserve
While Lesotho may only be able to offer two national parks across its 11,000 square mile (30,000 km2) area, the country does also host some noteworthy additional protected areas. These include Bokong Nature Reserve.
Spectacular at any time of year, spring sees its alpine meadows filled with new blooms. Just remember that Lesotho’s spring takes place at the same time as the European and north American autumn.
But if anything, Bokong Nature Reserve is at its most dramatic during the snows of winter (June to September). Then the animal tracks are all the easier to spot and waterfalls regularly freeze solid in spectacular fashion.
Letseng-la-Letsie Nature Reserve
When it comes to the wet stuff, Letseng-la-Letsie Nature Reserve is another worthwhile contender for the top national parks in Lesotho even if it isn’t one on a technicality.
Situated within an attractive valley, the reserve is home to the country’s largest freshwater lake, which despite being the only Ramsar wetland in Lesotho, is still rarely visited.
Birds of prey are almost ten-a-penny, including endangered Cape and bearded vultures. Other residents include the blue crane (the national bird of neighbouring South Africa), ibis, and European storks avoiding the chill winds of the northern winter.
Liphofung Nature Reserve
Meaning ‘place of the eland’, Liphofung is perhaps the smallest nature reserve I’ve come across in Africa.
It’s better to think of it as an attraction rather than a nature reserve per se, and was created to protect rock art paintings on a sheltered cliffside dating back 5,000 years.
Thought to have been drawn by the San people, the works show hunting scenes, stick fighting, and a rainmaking ceremony, as detailed at the onsite visitor centre.
The top national parks in Lesotho
Lesotho may not have the draw of the Big Five like South Africa. However, there is plenty to make the journey to any one of its national parks or nature reserves advisable, as hopefully you’ve discovered with my guide to the top national parks in Lesotho.
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