Malealea Lodge

Lesotho may be a small kingdom, but it’s big on eye-catching landscapes – get a load of some of its prettiest from the eco-friendly Malealea Lodge, a spot with blooming gardens and a swimming pool looking out over the stunning Matelile and Thaba Putsoa mountains.

The park is in the wildlife-rich Makhomalong valley, surrounded by snaking creeks, green hills and tall aloe plants, as well as the local Basotho people and their indigenous heritage. It’s an hour and a quarter’s drive west of Mafeteng city, which is close to the border with South Africa.

If you’re an adventure aficionado who likes their home comforts, this friendly site is for you. It’s got swish amenities to make the most of – from a coffee shop and a bar to wifi and braai facilities – and organises tours including pony treks, hiking and mountain biking.

Into all things environmentally friendly? This park is also a prime pick. It operates fully on clean solar energy, which it also uses to pump water from the borehole. Springwater is available to all guests from containers in the communal kitchens (refreshed every day for drinking and brushing teeth).

Speaking of cooking, dinner at the park is a top time to chat with other guests about your next destination in Lesotho over specials like Coca-Cola chicken made in-house. Once you’ve wolfed down your meal, step out into the grounds to watch nightly performances by a local choir or band as the sun goes down.

And the entertainment doesn’t stop there: a games room, outdoor playground and tennis court are also here for you to use.