At Malealea Lodge, you won’t hear traffic here; you will hear singing.  You will hear birds who wake early and crickets who stay up late. On the trail, you will hear the clanging of bells fastened to the necks of grazing sheep, the steady trickle of valley creeks, the clip-clop of your pony’s hooves underfoot. You will see vast and endless rolling hills, aloe plants as tall as you are growing out of the dry ground, the russet glow that shines over the mountains as the sun slips behind them, and a people who have known laughter as well as they know struggle. You will taste the richness of authentic Basotho cuisine and smell the sweet, smoky bonfires that burn each night.

And soon, you will feel the magic.  Stay with us and discover all that we have to offer.  Our community is our priority, and we want you to discover it. Our activities will allow you to ethically explore all the natural beauty that surrounds us while exposing you to our way of life.

About us

Malealea Lodge is nestled in the Makhomalong Valley and surrounded by the beautiful Maloti Mountains. Malealea Lodge dates back to 1905 when it was established as a Trading Post by Mervyn Bosworth Smith. Educated at Oxford, this charismatic, colonial character fought in both the Anglo Boer and First World Wars.  He fell in love with Basutoland and lived there for over 40 years.

The small village at Malealea developed around the Trading Store, and since Mervyns’s death in 1950, the latter changed hands several times. Mick and Di Jones bought Malealea Lodge in 1986, back when it was a trading post with a mere few beds. Since then, it has grown into a solar-powered 90-bed complex famous for pony trekking & mountain biking. Di has retired to Clarens and runs a guesthouse Clarens Butterfly Beds.

Sadly Mick passed away in January 2020, followed by his granddaughter, our Precious Gem who left us in 2021 at the age of 13.

The next generation, Glenn Jones, Jackie and her husband, Helgard Muller are now involved with running the lodge, together with the Koali (Bob) Mohali – General Manager and Manthomeng Mahao – Head Chef.

Meals:

Breakfast

• R135.00 pp

Lunch

• R185.00 pp

Packed Lunch

• R115.00 pp

Dinner

• R245.00 pp

Admin Fee:

• R55.00 once off per booking

Types of accommodation

Have a look at our different accommodation types to suite every type of traveller from camping to comfy en-suite Rondavels.

Rondavels & rooms

The rondavels and rooms are our nicest offerings and can accommodate families comfortably. Here, you have the room to make a home away from home – spread out and unpack. Each is decorated with charming scene paintings for your enjoyment, and each has a spacious and newly re-tiled bathroom with a standing shower. The rondavels are round in shape and covered with beautiful, thatched roofs.  Each of our rondavels and rooms have unique interiors and we are flexible about arrangement. Let us know what your requirements are, and we are happy to do our best to accommodate you.

Rates:

A 1.5% Tourism Levy will be added on accommodation.

Rondavels & rooms

• R550.00 pp sharing.

Standard rooms

Our standard farmhouse rooms are cozy and rustically charming. These rooms are simple, but nonetheless have everything you could need for your stay: a roomy, private en-suite bathroom with standing shower, a table, and plugs for charging your devices. These rooms are ideal for one or two travelers looking for simple comfort.  Some of the rooms have two single beds and some have one double. Let us know your preferences and we will do our best to accommodate you.

Rates:

A 1.5% Tourism Levy will be added on accommodation.

Standard Rooms

• R450.00 pp sharing

Basotho & Forest huts

If you plan on being so busy exploring all the adventures Malealea has to offer that you won’t want for more than a comfortable place to sleep and a secure place to store your belongings, then our Basotho Huts will be perfect for you. These huts are a comfortable budget option for adventurous travelers who are not looking to camp. The rooms have comfortable beds with pillows and blankets, an overhead light, and admittedly little else. The communal bathrooms are conveniently located, very clean, and the shower water is always warm.

Rates:

A 1.5% Tourism Levy will be added on accommodation.

Basotho Huts

• R300.00 pp sharing

Forest Huts

• R250.00 pp sharing

Campground

Our campground boasts many convenient communal bathrooms with warm standing showers. Campers may choose to cook their own food using our braai facilities or sign up for delicious meals from our dining room. Campers, of course, have access to all our amenities: you can coordinate your day’s activities with our reception office; you can unwind at our coffee shop or have a drink at our bar; you can even share the travel pictures burning a hole in your phone with friends and family back home using our wifi.

You’ll find that it’s a special kind of adventurous traveller who camps in Malealea. One of the glories of camping is the permanently festive atmosphere that arises between kindred spirits. Enjoy a roaring evening bonfire and share your musings from the day’s treks. Compare notes, suggestions, and stories with your fellow campers. After a few days of witnessing the extraordinary sights in our mountains and valleys and the culture in our village, you will be buzzing to share.

Rates:

A 1.5% Tourism Levy will be added on accommodation.

Camping

• R165.00 pp sharing

Our amenities

• Dining room serves 3 canteen style meals every day. You can order lunches from our small daytime menu.  Try the “famous” Malealea Monster Burger with chips or salad.  Lunches are served between 12:00 and 15:00.
• Basic communal self-catering kitchen with braai facilities for those wishing to self-cater.
• Daily turndown service.
• Coffee shop which is operational during the busy season otherwise fresh coffee and cakes are available for order from the bar or kitchen.
• Bar with DSTV and a pool table.
• A large games room with table tennis table.
• Laundry service (hand washing – arrange at the bar).
• Clay Tennis court – rent equipment from the bar. Tennis lessons available on request from a qualified TSA coach.
• Nightly performances from a local band and choir.
• Games room with foosball and table tennis.
• Playground for kids.
• 2 large halls for conferences.
• Visit the Handicraft centre nearby to buy your Lesotho souvenirs.

Internet

There is WiFi available which makes use of the Vodacom Lesotho mobile tower which provides 3G. Provided the weather is good (strong winds, multiple cloudy days affect the signal) internet is stable. The first 50MB are for free and thereafter, WIFI vouchers are available at the Bar for R50 for 500MB.

If you prefer you could bring a 3G toggle/modem and purchase a Vodacom Lesotho sim at any Vodacom Lesotho store or at the border posts where you can also register the sim using your passport as an ID before you get to Malealea . Purchase some prepaid airtime and transfer to data. This is your best bet if you want to work whilst in Lesotho.

Activities

From exploring our mountains by Basotho pony or mountain bike, to experiencing our valley’s culture on guided village tours or at a meeting with a spiritual healer, to learning about conservation at Faneuel Musi’s amazing reclaimed donga, you will never have a bored moment here. In fact, you will probably have a list of reasons to come back.

Please visit our reception office to schedule any activity you are interested in. Our reception office folks are very knowledgeable and responsive. You can schedule your activities on the day of, or in advance. You can explore the activity pages in this section to find out more about each offering.

Hiking Route

Overnight pony trek & hiking information

Overnight treks are tailor-made to your requirements. They can last from one day to six days and even longer. On your trek you will experience “THE REAL AFRICA”. Trails traverse spectacular mountain passes and some of Lesotho’s highest waterfalls.

Hikers: Discover Slackpacking and “Take the Mickey out of hiking and hire a packhorse to carry your luggage”. (Request a quote). The hiking routes are the same as the rugged mountain passes that the pony treks go on.

Accommodation on treks is provided in huts hired from the Basotho people in remote areas. The huts are very basic and are equipped with a gas cooker, cooking, eating utensils and mattresses on the floor. The treks are self-catering – bring your own food and sleeping bags. Catering (which consists of basic camping/nonperishable foods) is available on request and sleeping bags are available for hire. A bucket of spring water is brought to your hut.

No riding experience is necessary. Basotho Guides and a packhorse accompany the treks.

Expect about 7 hours of riding/hiking time each day. The distances are approximately 21 – 26kms per day depending on the Makhaleng river levels. When the Makhaleng river is in flood, the distance is an extra 5kms on the first and last day.

Maximum body weight for pony trekkers = 90 – 100kg
Maximum luggage for each pack horses = 50kg

This is an adventure at your own risk.

PLEASE LEAVE YOUR MEDICAL NAME & NUMBER AT RECEPTION IN CASE OF ANY EMERGENCY. INDEMNITY FORMS TO BE SIGNED AND WEARING OF RIDING HELMETS IS COMPULSORY (HELMETS ARE SUPPLIED)

Basotho Guides accompany all pony treks, and a pack horse is included in the price for the overnight treks.  The Pony Treks & Hikes are Self-Catering. Bring your own food, clothes and sleeping bags. (Catering is available on request and sleeping bags are available for hire).

The weight limit per pannier bag is 25 kg (50 kg per pack horse, usually 4 persons to 1 packhorse). In the case of excess weight, an extra pack horse, will have to be hired by the group. The weight limit per rider is 90-100kgs. The carrying of heavy backpacks on your backs (about 10 kg) is NOT advisable and can lead to injuries. Should you run out of space in the panniers, please enquire about the possibilities of hiring an extra pack horse.

Overnight pony treks & hikes start at approximately 9am and end at about 2pm on the last day of the trek.

Please remember that these treks are rough and tough, no frills whatsoever, i.e.: no showers, you bathe in the plastic basins and swim in streams, no flush toilets, only Long Drop Toilets, no chairs, very few tables. etc etc. At night you sleep on a mattress on the floor of the huts.

Pony trek & hiking routes

2 Days: The Ribaneng Waterfall Trek

2 days and 1 night in a village

3 Days: The Ribaneng and Mountain Pass Trek

3 days and 2 nights in a village

Day 1: As above, except that you do the Ribaneng waterfall hike on the first day of the afternoon.,

Day 2: About 7 hours to SEKOTENG, a beautiful Village surrounded by a ring of Mountains, knows as “Sekoteng sa lifarike” which means “The trough which the pigs have dug!” Chieftainess Matelang is your host.

Day 3: Return to the lodge the next day. About 7 hours.

3 Days: The Ribaneng Waterfall View Trek

3 days and 2 nights in the same village

Day 1: As above, except that you do the Ribaneng waterfall hike on the second day in the afternoon,

Day 2: Ride to the top of the waterfall, up “Slide Your Ass Pass”, about 4 hours riding. Magnificent Views from the top. You can spend the afternoon hiking to and exploring the bottom of the Ribaneng waterfall. Overnight in the same hut that night.

Day 3: Return to the lodge the next day and insist on the circular route back to Malealea. i.e. a slightly different route alongside the Ribaneng river.

3 Days: The Malealea Lodge to Semonkong Lodge (one way)

3 days and 2 nights in villages. Book your own accommodation at Semonkong Lodge for the 3rd night of the trek. Extra costs on this trek are as follows: A transfer to fetch you from Semonkong Lodge and back to Malealea Lodge. Extra pony trek costs for 2 days for the horses and guides to return to Malealea. (Request a quote).

Day 1 as for Ribaneng. You have the option to hike to the waterfall that same afternoon – about 3 hours. There won’t be time to do this hike on day 2.

Day 2 is quite long, about 7 hours with stops. Insist on seeing the top of the waterfall on day two, although this will add another hour onto the duration of the trek. Arrive at the village of Ha Hlalele, (Chief Matias), put gear in the hit, hire a guide and hike to the Ketane Waterfall for about 2 hours.

Day 3 to Semonkong Lodge (5 hrs). Arrive by 1 and then spend the afternoon exploring the falls or ask your guide to take you via The Maletsunyane falls on the way to Semonkong Lodge.

4 Days: The Ribaneng and Ketane Waterfall Trek

4 days and 3 nights in villages

6 Days: The Phororong Trek (Ribeng, Ketane and Maletsunyane Waterfalls)

6 days, 4 nights in villages and 1 night at Semonkong Lodge. (Request a quote)

Visit 3 of Lesothos highest waterfalls – Ribaneng Falls, Ketane Falls and Maletunyane falls (192m).  On the 6-day trek, you will spend the night on Day 3 at Semonkong Lodge.

You need to make your own booking at Semonkong and check the rates directly.

Day 1 as for Ribaneng. You have the option to hike to the waterfall that same afternoon – about 3 hours. There won’t be time to do this hike on day 2.

Day 2 is quite long, about 7 hours with stops. Insist on seeing the top of the waterfall on day two, although this will add another hour onto the duration of the trek. Arrive at the village of Ha Hlalele, (Chief Matias), put gear in the hit, hire a guide and hike to the Ketane Waterfall for about 2 hours.

Day 3 to Semonkong Lodge (5 hrs). Arrive by 1 and then spend the afternoon exploring the falls or ask your guide to take you via The Maletsunyane falls on the way to Semonkong Lodge.

Day 4 is 5 hours with stops. Arrive at the village of Ha Hlalele, (Chief Matias), put gear in the hit, hire guide and hike to the Ketane Waterfall about 2 hours.

Day 5 About 7 hours to SEKOTENG, a beautiful Village surrounded by a ring of Mountains, knows as “Sekoteng sa lifarike” which means “The trough which the pigs have dug!” Chieftainess Matelang is your host.

Day 6 is a long ride of 7 hours back to the lodge.

PLEASE NOTE: When the Makhaleng River is in flood, we must use the bridge (see map on wall at the lodge). This lengthens the trek on Day 1 and Day 6 by about another 2 hours extra making the trek long.

What to take on trek

• A change of clothing
• Rain Jacket & Warm clothing
• Sunscreen & Hat
• Sleeping Bag
• Towel
• Toiletries
• Torch, Candles & Matches or Gas Light
• Water Bottle – Water Purifying Tablets (Optional)
• Food & Drinks
• First Aid Kit

Huts are equipped with gas cookers, pots & pans, cutlery, crockery, eating utensils & mattresses on the floor. A bucket of fresh water will be supplied for washing and for cooking. If you need to use cutlery and crockery during the day – away from the huts ie for example, for lunch, then you will need to bring your own utensils and crockery just for lunches, but most people tend to make sandwiches at the huts to take with them or have a finger lunch.

What to wear on trek:

• Long trousers, long sleeve shirt
• Riding or hiking boots but running shoes will be fine.
• The use of riding helmets which are provided are essential.
• There are side panniers on your horse where you can pack items that you will need during the day such as a rain jacket, camera, and snacks.

Suggested Food List:

Breakfast:Tea, Coffee, Sugar, Hot Chocolate, Muesli, Oatso Easy, Longlife Milk, Rusks, Apples, Oranges.

Lunch: Provita, Seed Loaf, Margarine/Butter, Processed Cheese, Carrots, Cucumber, Lettuce, Tuna Mayonnaise, Tinned Ham, Mussels, Chocolates.

Dinner: Cup-a-soup, Chinese Noodles, Smash, Pasta, Pasta Sauces (a-la can or packet) Rice o’mix, Indian Tomato Curry Cans, Chakalaka, Toppers, Tinned Veggies, Tinned Fruit, Ultramel Custard, Tinned Caramel & Biscuits

DRINKS: Bottled water, wines & beer are available for sale at the Lodge for “Happy Hour(s)!!!!”

PLEASE ENSURE YOU BRING BACK ALL RUBBISH FROM THE VILLAGE HUTS FOR IT TO BE DISPOSED OF PROPERLY AT MALEALEA, AS THE VILLAGE HUTS DO NOT HAVE RUBBISH DUMPS.

Suggested items of Clothing:

• Change of clothing
• Long sleeve trousers and long sleeve shirt.
• Short sleeve shirt and shorts
• Warm Fleece and Rain Jacket/Suit
• Wide-brim hat and Sunscreen
• Scarf around Neck.
• Riding or Hiking Boots. (Running Shoes will be fine)
• Extra pair of shoes
• Swimsuit

Other necessary items:

• White gold (Toilet Paper)
• Dish washing liquid, dish sponge/cloth and drying cloth
• Mosquito repellant and Insect spray (Doom)
• Black Bin Bags
• Bottle opener/can opener
• Swiss army knife
• Tupperware containers
• Should you have a small camping stove, bring it along just in case.

Notice for overnight pony trekkers & hikers who are slackpacking

Be ready to leave from the lodge at the front of the reception at about 9.00am. Meet with your bags at the front of the Tack Room. This is where the treks start, and the guides and horses will be waiting for you. It will take time for the bags to be loaded onto the packhorses.

Before leaving on trek, pack all your extra belongings in your car and drive it to the reception area, where they will be stored in a safe place. Any valuables can be handed in at reception for safe keeping. Any meat that requires freezing can also be left in the fridges.

We regret the fact that not all our Guides have a wonderful knowledge of English. We use the English-speaking guides whenever possible.

Please remember that these treks are rough and tough, no frills whatsoever.

There are no showers. You bathe in plastic basins and streams.

There are no flush toilets, only long drop toilets.

Furniture is very limited. There are no chairs and very few tables.

Take along a small camping stove if you have one in case the stove at the hut gives trouble.

Try to balance the weights of your pannier bags to a reasonable degree. Wrap sleeping bags and clothing in plastic bags. If you don’t have enough plastic bags, you can buy them at the bar for R10. If there isn’t enough room in the pannier bags for sleeping bags, they will be tied on top of the pack horse in separate bags.

The weight limit per pannier bag is 25kg (50kg per packhorse, usually 4 persons to 1 packhorse). In the case of extra weight, an extra packhorse & guide, will have to be hire at an extra cost. The weight limit per rider is 90 – 100kg.

Pony Trekkers: It is not advisable to carry heavy backpacks on the horses as it can lead to injuries. Should you run out of space in the panniers, inquire about hiring an extra packhorse.  Take CANDLES.

Wines and beer are sold at the lodge for “Happy Hours!”.  There is very little, if any, WOOD at the outstations. If you want to braai you have to take charcoal, firelighters, and a grill with you.

Each person should take at least 2 litres of water from the lodge for the first day. At the outstation you will be supplied with spring water. If you do top up along the way, be sure to collect only spring water from a spring higher than a village. DO NOT DRINK THE RIVER & STREAM WATER. If you have a sensitive stomach, use water purification tablets, although we do seldom have any problems when using correct spring water.  If you will be doing the Ribaneng hike, it is advisable to take an extra pair of shoes. Your shoes will get wet on the hike.

Please bring back all your rubbish from the village huts back to the lodge. Villages do not have rubbish dumps and we do not want to pollute the villages with our Western rubbish, cans, bottles and plastics. Do not throw your rubbish down the toilets at the outstations and do not give it to the local villagers to dispose of. The rubbish will be disposed of properly at the lodge.

DO NOT give sweets to the kids. If you must give them anything, rather give fruit. Let the kids earn the handouts by rewarding them for doing things like taking a photograph, singing or carrying something for you. Use the kids as guides on hikes. Get the kids to pick up rubbish and reward them. Make them aware of pollution.

DO ask permission before taking photograph of the Basotho people you meet along the route.

Your dishes will be washed at the outstations. Arrange this with your guide.

Should you have a problem with the gas cookers, there may be an obstruction in the jets and too little gas is coming through. Simply unscrew the cooker top from the cylinder and try to suck out whatever is causing the obstruction in the jet.

You are under no obligation to feed your guides. It is your choice. They know to take their own food and water.

You are welcome to tip your guides, but payments for the trek should be made at reception on the day you leave.  We suggest a tip for the guides of R40.00 per day out per group.

Safety

Treks & Hikes are taken at your own risk. Please sign an indemnity form before setting off on trek. Leave the name and number of your medical insurance at reception in case an emergency evacuation is required. Always wear a riding helmet on the pony trek. There are no back-up services with a vehicle to collect you should you falloff your horse or have a fall whilst hiking, you will have to return to the lodge by horseback.

General information & riding tips

THE USE OF RIDING HELMETS IS ESSENTIAL.

Please remember that the Basotho Pony generally dislikes a tight rein. Keep the reins loose whenever possible, especially when mounting.  Should you have problems with your pony on trek; if your horse is too lazy or naughty, speak to your guide about changing horses with his horse.

The horses do not eat sugar, apples, etc. Frasers store does keep fodder, so after the trek you can buy a treat for the horses if you wish. The horses eat peaches & peels on the ground and trees, so be careful in peach season. If you are holding the reins too tight, you could fall off when the horse aims for a peach!

Rates:

Overnight Pony Trek & Hiking Trails:

The rates are for the 2day, 3day and 4-day Pony Treks (Malealea return pony treks).

Request for rates for 3 day – One way to Semonkong and for the 6 Day Malealea/Semonkong return.

Pony Treks:

• R1305.00 pp.pd – 1 pax
• R860.00 pp.pd – 2 pax
• R785.00 pp.pd – 3 pax or more

Hiking Trails – Slackpacking:

Overnight hikes with pack horses
Ratio of 2 people to 1 packhorse

• R940.00 pp.pd – 1 pax
• R520.00 pp.pd – 2 pax
• R520.00 pp.pd – 3 pax or more
• R760.00 pd – Extra pack horse
• R350.00 pd – Ambulance horse on request for hikers per day

Hiking Trails – Backpacking:

• Ratio of 6 pax to 1 guide
• R300.00 per day for the guide
• R155.00 pp.pn

Admin Fee

• R55.00 – once off per reservation.