HORSE RACES The community arranges amazing horse races once a month and we would like to advertise these dates. It is weather depending but the atmosphere out there is incredible. There is a horse committee and the horse owners challenge each other to a race. Great betting goes on and it’s an exciting day. There is a lot of chanting and cheering around the horses. All the races are near the Lodge at Ha Mateketa. Race dates are as follows: Saturday 30th May Saturday 27th June Saturday 18th July (King’s Birthday Weekend) Saturday 25th July Saturday 29th August Saturday 26th September Saturday 3rd October - Independence Day Saturday 28th November Saturday 26th December

Our ever-popular
pony treks & hiking trails

(Click here for overnight trails)

Discovering Lesotho on the back of a pony or on foot are the two greatest attractions for travelers. You wonder through the magnificent scenery of Lesotho, with plenty of stops to enjoy the views and relax with a picnic by a cooling waterfall. The sure-footed Basotho pony has been bred as the ideal form of transport in the rugged mountains and is the most effective means of reaching inaccessible mountain villages. Gentle and sure-footed, they are ideal for people who have not sat on a horse for many years or not at all. They are also used as packhorses for carrying luggage.

Semonkong Lodge works together with the local community, hiring horses, guides & huts. The overnight rides are quite strenuous, involving 6-7 hours riding a day. It is, however, a great way for the complete novices to learn how to ride. The accommodation is in Basotho villages. The huts have cooking equipment & eating utensils. Luggage is carried on packhorses – one packhorse being adequate for 4 people. Hikers who do not want to carry their heavy packs can also use the horses. Day rides & hikes include riding or hiking to the Maletsunyane Falls & the unique aloe Polyphylla.

Maletsunyane Falls ... +-3 hours return (Easy - Beginner)
Ride to the viewpoint of the mighty Maletsunyane Falls, one of the highest single dropping waterfalls in Africa. The waterfall creates a haze of smoke as the water plummets 186 metres into a spectacular gorge. It is from this smoke that Semonkong – The Place of Smoke – gets its name.

This ride can be extended to a 5 hour ride, including:
Mount Qoang, the highest mountain in the area and where you will see the Spiral Aloe (Aloe Polyphylla).
... or ...
The Whistle Blower, visit the traditional healer’s village and chemist.

Polateng Gallop: +-3 hours return (Experienced Riders)
Gallop through Polateng; get a chance to run ponies in a safe area.

Village Ride (Easy - Beginner)
Take the ponies on a trip through the town of Semonkong, visiting places of interest, from shearing of the sheep to the milling of the maize.

What to bring?
Please wear long trousers and a good jacket, always carry something to keep you warm and dry; the weather in the mountains can be very unpredictable.
Remember sun block and a hat. Bring your own lunch, something to drink and your own water bottle. The restaurant will do packed lunches on request. These will be packed into saddlebags, no daypacks needed. Do not forget your camera!