Sehlabathebe National Park
Encyclopedia
The Sehlabathebe National Park is located in the Maloti Mountains
in Qacha's Nek District
, Lesotho
, and is part of the larger Maloti-Drakensberg Transfrontier Conservation Area
. Home to both striking biological diversity as well as important cultural heritage, the park was first established on May 8, 1969. The landscape is dominated by grassland of various types. The larger ecosystem as a whole performs invaluable functions including providing freshwater to Lesotho
, South Africa
and Namibia
.
The best access to the park is the to travel the way locals do - on horseback or on foot. Access from the Bushman's Nek
pass, near Underberg KwaZulu-Natal
. Khotso Horse Trails are currently the only tour operator providing this service on horseback, though the pass is accessible to all on foot.
Accommodation is available in, or near, the park at a number of locations, and in the nearby settlements of Sehlabathebe, and Mavuka
.
World Heritage Tentative List on October 8th, 2008 in the Mixed (Cultural + Natural) category. This park will be included into the Maloti-Drakensberg Transfrontier Conservation Area
, Peace Park.
Maloti Mountains
The Maloti Mountains , are a mountain range found in the highlands of Lesotho and named the Drakensberg in South Africa. They form a high alpine basalt plateau up to 3400m in height. The highest point is Thabana Ntlenyana 3482m in the north-east...
in Qacha's Nek District
Qacha's Nek District
Qacha's Nek is a district of Lesotho. It has an area of 2,349 km² and a population in 2006 of approximately 71,876. Qacha's Nek is the capital or camptown, and only town in the district.-Geography:...
, Lesotho
Lesotho
Lesotho , officially the Kingdom of Lesotho, is a landlocked country and enclave, surrounded by the Republic of South Africa. It is just over in size with a population of approximately 2,067,000. Its capital and largest city is Maseru. Lesotho is a member of the Commonwealth of Nations. The name...
, and is part of the larger Maloti-Drakensberg Transfrontier Conservation Area
Maloti-Drakensberg Transfrontier Conservation Area
Maloti-Drakensberg Transfrontier Conservation Area was established on 11 June 2001 by linking the Sehlabathebe National Park in the Kingdom of Lesotho and the uKhahlamba Drakensberg Park in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. The total park will be: 16.226 Km² large. This 300 km long Peace park covers...
. Home to both striking biological diversity as well as important cultural heritage, the park was first established on May 8, 1969. The landscape is dominated by grassland of various types. The larger ecosystem as a whole performs invaluable functions including providing freshwater to Lesotho
Lesotho
Lesotho , officially the Kingdom of Lesotho, is a landlocked country and enclave, surrounded by the Republic of South Africa. It is just over in size with a population of approximately 2,067,000. Its capital and largest city is Maseru. Lesotho is a member of the Commonwealth of Nations. The name...
, South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
and Namibia
Namibia
Namibia, officially the Republic of Namibia , is a country in southern Africa whose western border is the Atlantic Ocean. It shares land borders with Angola and Zambia to the north, Botswana to the east and South Africa to the south and east. It gained independence from South Africa on 21 March...
.
History
Lesotho’s first national park, and second largest, is remote, rugged and beautiful, and getting there is always a worthwhile adventure, especially if you’re into wilderness, seclusion and fishing. Sehlabathebe means the “Shield of the Plateau”, mirroring the rolling grasslands, wild flowers and silence provide a sense of complete isolation.Location
Situated in the south-east corner of Lesotho, At an average elevation of some 2,400 metres above sea level. It is almost inaccessible since it is rather remote. S29°52’12.05″, E29°4’3.18″The best access to the park is the to travel the way locals do - on horseback or on foot. Access from the Bushman's Nek
Bushman's Nek Pass
Bushman's Nek Pass, Is situated in the KwaZulu-Natal province of South Africa on a road in the Sehlabathebe National Park....
pass, near Underberg KwaZulu-Natal
Underberg, KwaZulu-Natal
Underberg is an administrative town in a dairy and cattle farming community in the Mzimkulu River valley of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. It is situated at the foot of the 1,904 m Hlogoma Peak in the foothills of the southern Drakensberg, KwaZulu-Natal. Underberg began in 1917 when the railway from...
. Khotso Horse Trails are currently the only tour operator providing this service on horseback, though the pass is accessible to all on foot.
Accommodation is available in, or near, the park at a number of locations, and in the nearby settlements of Sehlabathebe, and Mavuka
Mavuka
Mavuka is a town in eastern Lesotho, close to the border with South Africa. It lies close to the Drakensberg, and is connected to both South Africa and the Lesotho towns of Matebeng and Paolosi by twisting mountain roads.-References:...
.
World Heritage status
This site was added to the UNESCOUNESCO
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations...
World Heritage Tentative List on October 8th, 2008 in the Mixed (Cultural + Natural) category. This park will be included into the Maloti-Drakensberg Transfrontier Conservation Area
Maloti-Drakensberg Transfrontier Conservation Area
Maloti-Drakensberg Transfrontier Conservation Area was established on 11 June 2001 by linking the Sehlabathebe National Park in the Kingdom of Lesotho and the uKhahlamba Drakensberg Park in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. The total park will be: 16.226 Km² large. This 300 km long Peace park covers...
, Peace Park.