Maletsunyane Falls – The Highest Single Drop Waterfall in Africa and The Windiest Hike I’ve Ever Been On

Things have been quite quiet since we’ve been back in the land of the normal. It was inevitable I guess, because we went from living our best free lives to being back in the working world and being a slave to the man. The first few months were really horrible (like really freaking horrible) but we’re back in the swing of things and now it’s not quite so bad. Most of the time.

Also, I know that it’s a bit weird writing about our trip now as this happened almost a year ago. I get it, I hate writing about “old content” as much as you probably don’t enjoy reading it (speaking to the 5 of you who still check in here – shot for being amazing!). Well, usually that’s how I feel. But this is different. For me anyway. Actually seeing what we did from a distance is really just so nostalgic, wild and comforting all in one go. So here’s to the the memories as they pour out (slowly) onto this little online space.

A Little Drive From Roma to Semonkong

Did you know that Lesotho is home to the Maletsunyane Falls in the town of Semonkong? Neither did I. Did you know that the Maletsunyane Falls is the highest single drop waterfall in the whole of Africa? Neither did I. But when you find out something so great about a spot that’s so close by, you clear your schedule and make a plan to get out there.

We took our little Ford Figo (the champion above all other champions in becoming a 4×4 when it was absolutely, 100% not made to be that) to Semonkong from our spot out in Roma Lesotho. It was about a 2 hour drive. At first it was great – we were blasting through the tarred roads, listening to audio books (I still remember it was one called Bad Dad – David Walliams). Then we got to Semonkong and we should have know the moment that we hit the dirt road that this was probably not a good idea.

I don’t think I have ever experienced a road like this in my life. Ever. And we’ve been on some pretty flipping awful roads on this trip. But on we ventured, knowing that the waterfall would be worth it. By the absolute grace of God we made it all the way to the road that looked like it was going in the right direction and got out the car to go see the falls. We were almost immediately blown off the mountain. OK, not quite, but it was touch and go with Knox a few times.

Actually that picture just above here gives you a good idea of the road – other people continued on it and then ended up as the white dot just on the left of Seth’s left arm there. Look at them all fancy in their 4x4s. Not us. We left the Figo on the hill hoping it wouldn’t disappear in a gust of wind or get eaten by wild horses. The kids were pretty miserable but perked up a bit once we got closer to the wild horses.

It’s still incredible to me how the people of Lesotho leave their animals to roam wild. Their is no need for fences as the animals just go home in the evenings. It really blows my mind.

The view of the falls is quite incredible from this vantage point. You can also do an abseil down the side of the falls – that Seth would have done but as we were grossly unprepared and just rocked up there, it wasn’t possible. Surprise. Nevertheless, we enjoyed the view.

I can imagine that on a less windy day it might actually be an awesome place to picnic. Not this time. It was freezing! So we stayed a sum total of 10 minutes haha – took our pictures, soaked it in and then headed for the closest restaurant that we could find.

The closest restaurant turned out to not be that close. It was at a lodge that we had looked at staying with Optimus. All I’m saying is that I thank God that we didn’t book it. There is no freaking way that he would have made it down there. Or maybe he would have, in a crumpled heap at the bottom, but there’s not a chance in heck he would have made it up again. I didn’t think it was possible but Lesotho proved me wrong again, it was even worse that the road to the waterfall! In fact I am pretty sure that the Figo’s oval tires (yes really – went to the garage to ask why the car sounded so funny and it’s because the tires are OVAL) are because of this trip.

The restaurant was lovely, we enjoyed the local bread and fillings before calling it a day and heading back to Roma.

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Day 64 – Semonkong (Lesotho) ?? 1. This first picture is everything for me. Our trip is not about getting that perfect shot posed thoughtfully in the trendiest gear in front of a landmark. It's about capturing life on the road. Sometimes those pictures are typical Instagram worthy pics but as you've probably seen, they are mostly like this. It was so windy we feared flying off the mountain and the fact that you can't even see Ri's face is just perfect ??? 2. After yesterdays series of disappointments, it was nice to do something awesome. The waterfall in Semonkong (a 2 hour drive and part of it on some serious gravel roads that we wobbled through in my Figo) was worth it. The highest single drop waterfall in Southern Hemisphere. 3. We drove as far as we could and then did the 15 minute walk down to view the falls. It was incredible but the wind was incredible too. It was just a bit too insane. We stayed for 10 minutes and left ? 4. From there we went to the lodge in the area that we'd thought about staying with Optimus. Oh my gosh. I'm so glad that we didn't. The roads are shocking and the last hill getting in to the lodge was just so intense we didn't even brave it with the figo. 5. The restaurant there was great. Delish food and really full portions, value for the higher prices. The craft shop was also well stocked, we got stickers for the van which is great. I was also SO tempted to buy a hand woven tapestry. I really loved it. But @moderndaddiy just said it was going to be one of those things we pass down to our children that they don't want. He may be right but I'm already regretting not getting it. Damn it. 6. The power at our accommodation keeps going on and off, which we don't really mind, as we have battery power. Howevs, using the bathroom in the dark is NOT fun. The spiders and other creepy crawlies give me the heebie jeebies. I can't deal. We leave tomorrow not because of that, but because we need to move on, or in this case up. The mountain passes are insane, but the most beautiful spaces I have ever seen. 7. We saw snow on the Baboons Pass about 3500m above sea level. Or rather ice left over from their last snow. Better than nothing ??️?

A post shared by Cindy Alfino (@cindyalfino) on Sep 2, 2018 at 12:40pm PDT