Thaba Bosiu
A flat-topped mountain where the Basotho Kingdom was born. Moshoeshoe I defended it against powerful enemies here, and the summit holds royal tombs and historic ruins.
Thaba Bosiu, meaning "Mountain of the Night," lies about 25 km east of Maseru. It is a sandstone plateau ringed by steep cliffs. Starting in 1824, Moshoeshoe I made it his stronghold, repelling repeated attacks by the Zulu, the Boers, and the British. This laid the foundation for the Basotho Kingdom, and the mountain is regarded as a sacred national site of Lesotho. A guide leads visitors to the summit in about 30 to 45 minutes, where you can see Moshoeshoe I's tomb, the ruins of the old royal palace, and the distant "Hat Mountain" of Qiloane. At the foot of the mountain, the Thaba Bosiu Cultural Village has an exhibition hall, a statue of Moshoeshoe I, traditional round huts, and a restaurant. The climb requires a fee and a local guide.
Opening hours
About 08:00–17:00
Nearby sights
- Roma Mission
- Ha Baroana Rock Art
- Our Lady of Victories Cathedral
- Basotho Hat Craft Centre
- Teyateyaneng Weaving Workshops
- Ha Kome Cave Village
- Molimo Nthuse & Bushman's Pass (Basotho Pony Trekking)
- Morija Museum & Archives