The Maloti-Drakensberg Tourism Association is a relatively small association of people that have a passion for boundless adventures, where the boundaries are set by the imagination of the tourists who visit the border region between South Africa and Lesotho, with special attention given to the northern regions of Lesotho.
Main focus and unique opportunities:
The Maloti-Drakensberg Transfrontier Conservation and Development Program is a joint tourism development program between South Africa and Lesotho. Dr Gideon Groenewald, who formed part of the Peace Parks Foundation team that facilitates community involvement in tourism development, was intimately involved in the preparation of tourism programs in Lesotho from 2001 to 2009. The following unique opportunities await you if you join us on some of the excursions offered, or if you use our advice on self-catering tours of the area.
- Dinosaur Hunting Expeditions:
Dr Gideon Groenewald is a well-known geologist who lives in the small town of Clarens, 6km from the border between South Africa and Lesotho. He completed his PhD studies on the geology and palaeontology of the upper part of the Karoo Supergroup in South Africa and runs excursions to look for the remains of Dinosaurs and mammal-like reptiles. Excursions are tailor made and can last from three hours to several days, covering as much ground as you have time for.
Fossil Hunting Expeditions can be arranged in most of the areas associated with the N3 Gateway and you are welcome to request for guided geological and palaeontological interpretive tours by Dr Groenewald in this region.
The N3 Gateway region is known for the fossil remains of several significant plant and animal remains, including examples of the Glossopteris trees, Gorgonopsian predators, Dicynodon Lacerticeps and Lystrosaurus plant eating mammal-like reptiles as well as the well-known dinosaur called Massospondylus. Confirmation that the eggs of this dinosaur, with embryos, were present in Golden Gate National Park, makes this a unique area for fossil hunting. Children are given the opportunity to discover their own dinosaur bones although they are not allowed to keep the bones they uncover.
- Driving and Hiking into Lesotho:
The Maloti-Drakensberg offers some of the most spectacular visual impacts in Southern Africa and is seen as one of the 200 most treasured areas in the World. Maloti-Drakensberg Tourism Association will arrange for and guide you on spectacular scenic routes and assist with arrangements to visit some of the remote regions of Lesotho and Qwa-qwa where you can become part of the rural community and experience the hospitality offered by the Basotho people.
- Looking Beyond the Boundaries:
Maloti-Drakensberg Tourism Association offers unique accommodation facilities built by the communities in the Khubelu River Valley close to the Letseng Diamond Mine where you can experience Basotho hospitality in up-market facilities close to one of the great rivers of Lesotho where introduced trout abounds and you can relax from the rush of life in the lowlands.
