Directions to Malealea Lodge
Malealea Lodge is situated in a remote part of Western Lesotho, perfect for a 2 to 3 night stay en-route from Johannesburg to Cape Town or the Drakensberg to the Wild Coast or the Garden Route.
- Johannesburg (500kms) 6 - 7 hours
- Durban (700kms) 10 hours
- Cape Town (1100kms) 15 hours
- George (900kms) 10 hours
- Bloemfontein (200kms) 3 hours
Please note that the final 7km to the lodge is a gravel road. While a 4 x 4 is not required, we recommend a high-clearance vehicle for a smoother journey - and a "spirit of adventure". However local residents regularly navigate the road with standard vehicles. The 7km drive takes approximately 35-45 minutes.
We suggest you don't rely on Google Maps as you will lose internet connectivity as soon as you cross the border into Lesotho. Rather follow the directions below.
Cell phones & Internet
A new Econet Tower has been installed in the Malealea Valley with 4G connectivity. To stay connected we recommend you buy an Econet Starter Pack as you enter the country. You need to register this with your passport. Insert the sim card into your phone and buy airtime which you can transfer to data. We recommend that you insert this sim card into a Wifi dongle (if you have one) and use this as your Wifi connection.
Directions from Maseru Border (90 Km; 2hrs)
Please see Google Maps for direction to Malealea Lodge
From the Maseru Border drive 1.1 km and turn right at the first traffic light. Drive for almost 2 km and take the 3rd exit at the roundabout. From the roundabout drive for exactly 7.4km and take the 3rd Exit at the roundabout. Follow this section for 18.5 km until you get to a T-junction with the main road (A2). Turn right here and drive for another 26.9 km to Motsekuoa where you will turn left onto a tar road.(Look out for the junction where there is a very busy taxi rank - about 10km past Morija), (B40 or B25 on some old maps).
From Motsekua (coming from the North and South)
At Motsekuoa (A busy taxi corner - 26kms north of Mafeteng or 10kms south of Morija), turn onto a tar road - B40. (It used to be the B25)
You are now 33kms from Malealea. Drive for 10.8 kms (shortly after the bridge) take the right split (Look out for the sign "Malealea Lodge 22kms") drive for 15kms to the end of the tar road,(Look out for the sign Malealea Lodge, 7kms) turn left her, drive for 1.8 km to the top of the Gates of Paradise Pass. Drive for another 2.6km and take the right split. (Look for the 3km sign). The last section is 3.1km to the entrance of Malealea Lodge.
Drive through the entrance of the Trading Station & Horse Post (you wonder where you are!) and you will find the Lodge & gardens!
Please note: If you are coming from the South of Lesotho, DO NOT ATTEMPT the back road via Mohaleshoek to Malealea Lodge, a bridge has washed away near Mpharane.
Directions from Wepener/Van Rooyen's Gate Border Post (75 Km; 2hrs)
From the Wepener Van Rooyen's Hek Border head towards Mafeteing. Drive 16.3 km and take the first exit at the traffic circle. Drive for about 500 metres and make sure you take the left split. You must pass the Engen Garage on your left hand side on the main road in Mafeteng. From the Engen Garage drive for about 25km until you get to the Motsekuoa Junction, where you will turn right onto a tar road. (B40 or B25 on some old maps).
From Motsekua (coming from the North and South)
At Motsekuoa (A busy taxi corner - 26kms north of Mafeteng or 10kms south of Morija), turn onto a tar road - B40. (It used to be the B25)
You are now 33kms from Malealea. Drive for 10.8 kms and take the right split (Look out for the sign "Malealea Lodge 22kms") drive for 15kms to the end of the tar road,(Look out for the sign Malealea Lodge, 7kms) turn left her, drive for 1.8 km to the top of the Gates of Paradise Pass. Drive for another 2.6km and take the right split. The last section is 3.1km to the entrance of Malealea Lodge.
Drive through the entrance of the Trading Station & Horse Post (you wonder where you are!) and you will find the Lodge & gardens!
Please note: If you are coming from the South of Lesotho, DO NOT ATTEMPT the back road via Mohaleshoek to Malealea Lodge, a bridge has washed away near Mpharane.
Crossing the Border
Please note that foreign passport holders (including South Africans) crossing into Lesotho will be required to pay an Attraction and Tourism Levy of R100 per adult (over 13) payable to the border authorities. The toll gate fee is R90 per vehicle. Payments can only be made in cash.
If you are driving a South African Registered Vehicle, you may need to show your vehicle registration certificate. Keep a certified copy in your car and a copy of the original on your phone.
Please ensure your passport is stamped at both borders - the South African and the Lesotho side otherwise you will have problems on your way out of the country. Keep grocery receipts for food that you are bringing into Lesotho in case you asked to show the receipts. It is illegal to bring alcohol into Lesotho.
Children U/18 need full unabridged birth certificates when travelling with their parents. If the children are travelling with one parent or with friends, the necessary documents and affidavits are also required. Please click on this link for more information: http://www.dha.gov.za/files/Brochures/Immigrationleaflet.pdf
Police Road Blocks
PLEASE STOP AT THE STOP SIGN AND WAIT FOR THE TRAFFIC OFFICIAL TO SIGNAL TO YOU TO DRIVE FORWARD TO WHERE HE IS STANDING OR WAVE YOU THROUGH! THE TRAFFIC OFFICIALS ARE VERY FRIENDLY, IF YOU FOLLOW THESE INSTRUCTIONS - THERE IS NO PROBLEM AT ALL
KEEP 2 RED TRIANGLES IN VEHICLE FOR LESOTHO
When Driving in Lesotho
Distance is measured more by time than by kilometers. You can expect to cover roughly 240kms in a full day of driving with will take anywhere from 6 - 8 hours.
On gravel roads, travel times increase significantly - if a section is marked 60kms, you should plan for it to take about 3 hrs to complete
Accommodation in Bloemfontein
Should you need to overnight in Bloemfontein, we highly recommend Aloe Guest Rooms
Tel/whatsapp: +27 76 830 9679
Email: aloehellobloem@gmail.com
Share This Page