Together with the neighbouring uKhahlamba-Drakensberg in South Africa, the highlands of Lesotho form a hub of ancient floral biodiversity known to botanists as the Drakensberg Alpine Centre. More than 2,000 plant species are indigenous to this region and of these roughly 30 percent are endemic (in other words, they occur nowhere else) and more than 100 are listed as globally threatened.
Lesotho is known for its prolific wildflowers, most of which bloom during the rainy summer months of November to April. But the floral landscape has much to offer at other times of year. Autumn is when the stunning red-hot pokers of the genus Kniphofia come into bloom, only to give way to aloes in winter. Both aloes and red-hot pokers have prominent red, yellow and orange flowers that form a magnet to nectarivorous insects and birds. One of the most spectacular and vulnerable of Drakensberg Alpine Centre endemics, the spiral aloe Aloe polyphylla is the national flower of Lesotho and easily recognised by its base of fleshy leaves arranged in a neat almost symmetrical spiral.
Lesotho lacks the prolific big game associated with some other larger African countries, but its national parks and nature reserves do support small herds of eland, oribi, grey rhebok and other antelope, along with baboons and smaller carnivores such as black-backed jackal, serval and caracal. The most conspicuous small mammal is the rock hyrax, which looks a bit like a guinea pig (though it is in fact more closely related to elephants than rodents) and is often seen sunning itself on boulders or cliffs. The endearing Sloggett’s ice rat, a Drakensberg Alpine Centre endemic associated with moorland above the 2,500m contour, is particularly common and conspicuous in the vicinity of Sani Top, and an important source of nutrition to highland raptors.
Despite its small size,
Lesotho boasts a checklist of 350 bird species. This includes roughly half of those bird species whose natural range is restricted to South Africa, Lesotho and/or Swaziland. Among these, the Drakensberg rockjumper and Drakensberg siskin are endemic to the Drakensberg Alpine Centre, and this area also forms the core range of the southern bald ibis, Gurney’s sugarbird, yellow-breasted pipit, mountain pipit, buff-streaked chat, bush blackcap and Drakensberg prinia.
Other Southern African endemics likely to be encountered in parts of Lesotho include grey-winged francolin, ground woodpecker, forest buzzard, large-billed lark, African rock pipit, yellow-breasted pipit, chorister robin-chat, buff-streaked chat, sentinel rock thrush, pied starling, southern double-collared sunbird, greater double-collared sunbird, Cape weaver and forest canary.
The Drakensberg Alpine Centre is an important breeding stronghold for the cliff-nesting near-endemic jackal buzzard and Cape vulture, and it hosts southern Africa’s last viable breeding population of the bearded vulture or lammergeyer. Other noteworthy birds include the near-endemic blue crane, the handsome wattled crane, the large Alpine swift, and the nectarivorous malachite sunbird.
Number of results: 30
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4x4 Adventures
Maseru
Hidden deep in the mountains of the King of Lesotho, with spectacular views across the valley, Ramabanta Trading Post Lodge is the ideal location for the adventurer seeking…
Spa
Butha Buthe
Maliba Lodge is the first and only 5-star luxury accommodation in Leostho. It is located in a pristine national park in the heart of this Mountain Kingdom. The park offers…
Horse Riding & Pony Treking
Sani Top
A wide range of day and multi-day activities are available, including pony trekking, pony-supported trekking (walking with a pony), hiking, trout fishing, guided hiking and…
Cave
Quthing
Located at Masitise in Quthing district is the Cave House built in 1866-7 by Rev. David Ellenberger a missionary of the Parish Evangelical Missionary Society, who was invited…
Services
Maseru
Maseru Mall is Lesotho's largest lifestyle shopping mall.
Craft
Berea
LMC provides support & training to craft workers in Lesotho regarding design, practical skills, IT, sales and marketing. It is an Action Lesotho initiative. The twelve groups…
Cycling & Mountain Biking
Maseru
Sky Adventures is a company based in the Kingdom of Lesotho, Who specialize in events and adventure tourism with a passion for cycling.
They are experts in activity based…
Culture & Heritage
Morija
We invite you to enjoy the rich history, arts & culture of the peoples of Lesotho. Whether you are from Lesotho, or Southern African or from another part of the global…
Land-based Sport
Old Europa, Maseru
Kick4Life F.C. is the world’s first football club exclusively dedicated to social change. As a charity and a social enterprise our mission is to transform the lives of…
Cycling & Mountain Biking
Maseru
Roma Trading Post Lodge is located a stone throw away from Lesotho’s capital Maseru and the airport, in the foothills of the mighty Maloti Mountains in Roma. The name stems…
4x4 Adventures
Mokhotlong
Molumong Eco Lodge offers the weary traveller a friendly Sesotho welcome and the warmth of a home within the rugged terrain of the Mountain Kingdom.
4x4 Adventures
Mokhotlong
The Lodge is situated on the border between South Africa and Lesotho, sitting 2874m above sea level. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is by far one of the best kept secrets in…
Site of Interest
The gardens were created as a result of plant rescue missions to mitigate the impact of the Katse Dam, particularly spiral aloes. The collection has a focus on traditional…
Craft
Maseru
Basotho Hat offers a wide range of handicrafts produced in Lesotho. A worthwhile stop in Lesotho to stock up on souvenirs and gifts.
Craft
Berea
A group of Basotho women working together making hand-spun mohair rugs with geometric patterns, wall hangings, beautiful and fashionable scarves and handbags. Elelloang…
Dinosaurs
Hlotse
The dinosaur footprints at Subeng are embedded in a sandstone slab in a small stream and rank among the most important sites of its type in the country. Discovered in 1955,…
4x4 Adventures
Maseru
Experience one of the most beautiful and remote countries in Africa with Semonkong Lodge. Explore this area on the iconic Basotho pony, mountain bikes or dare to take on the…
Cave
Berea
The Ha Kome Cave Village is situated at Pulane area in Berea district. The caves were a hideout for the Basia and one Bataung clans during the Lifaqane Wars and cannibalism.…
Culture & Heritage
Morija
Maeder House is one of the oldest buildings in Lesotho, dating back to 1843. It was the home of missionary artisan and artist Francois Maeder.
The gallery provides Basotho…
Horse Riding & Pony Treking
Maseru
Horseriding is our primary business! We also offer guidance hiking to the top of Qeme plateau, bushmen paintings and Ha Ramorakane historical village.
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