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LESOTHO

Getting drunk with the Maasai tribe in the Drakensberg. After a night in Durban I arrived at the Amphitheatre Backpackers in the Drakensberg mountains which although is in South Africa, I will be spending most of my time in Lesotho.

LUMELA! REALEBOHA!

WHERE IS LESOTHO?

THE HOSTEL

First impressions, the hostel was incredible and is best described as a Texan ranch! It had everything from a swimming pool, indoor jacuzzi, an insane amount of space and bar to name but a few.

Getting drunk with the Maasai tribe in the Drakensberg

There wasn’t long to go before it was sunset so I took a walk to the lake and then further on to the viewpoint of the Amphitheatre, where we will be hiking in a few days! This place has certainly set the tone for what I hope will be an interesting few days!

Getting drunk with the Maasai tribe in the Drakensberg

VILLAGE TRIP

Today we are off to visit the Maasai Tribe in Lesotho, a tiny village tribe located near the South African border in the Drakensberg Mountains. The Maasai are a Nilotic ethnic group based in Africa and speak Swahili although you can expect some to speak English.

It was also the place were I would be reunited with my bag which turned out to be someone elses, the chances of seeing mine again were dwindling to say the least!

Blackboard with Swahili written on it in Lesotho, Africa. Getting drunk with the Maasai tribe in the Drakensberg
Swahili lessons at classroom in Lesotho, Africa. Getting drunk with the Maasai tribe in the Drakensberg

Getting drunk with the Maasai tribe in the Drakensberg

After going through the most bizarre border I’ve seen (a portacabin) we arrived at the village. We visited various homes, a witch doctor and the local brewery which proved to be very entertaining.

LESOTHO….

  • The world’s 137th biggest country – 11,720miles2
  • Lesotho is one of few completely landlocked countries with only one neighboring country, South Africa.

VIEW POINT

Before the brewery we were able to check out the surrounding are with a walk up to the viewpoint. It is just incredible how far from home this palce actually is. Mudhuts as homes, no infrastructure, no electric and nothing but smiles from the locals, we really do live in a bubble at home!

Viewpoint in Lesotho, Africa. Getting drunk with the Maasai tribe in the Drakensberg

Getting drunk with the Maasai tribe in the Drakensberg

BREWERY

The Brewery was a lot of fun, with the locals giving you no option but to allow them to throw their home brew down your throat. And this was no light Ale but rather incredibly strong and heavy! The jury is out on what else was in it. The size of the jars were incredible and when I noticed the barrel where they were refilling I knew there would be no end.

Fortunately the guide knew we were on a slippery slope and made our apologies so we could get ready to move on.

Viewpoint in Lesotho, Africa. Getting drunk with the Maasai tribe in the Drakensberg

VALUE

Our last trip was to a school where we learned a little Swahili before having a kick about with the local kids. I can guarantee you this that the kids of Africa have the biggest and warmest smiles you will ever see! It makes you think twice about how lucky we have it and why we are never happy!

FINAL THOUGHTS

As are a lot of my trips to rural areas, this was humbling and brought me back down to earth again. Something I enjoy and at times need.

NEXT UP

The Sunday Times’, Greatest hike on Earth Click to read

SAFE TRAVELS, DS x
119/229

This post is part of the Southern Africa Series, click to explore or for episode 1 click here.

To watch the video of my trip, head to my highlights on my Instagram.

Question Time

  • Did you ever visit Vietnam
  • What were your highlights
  • Any recommendations for me if I was to return?

Let me know in the comments below . . .

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PROBABLY THE BEST HIKE IN CAPE TOWN
THE GREATEST HIKE ON EARTH?

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