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Capital & Gateway
Maseru District: History & Culture
Maseru District takes its name from Lesotho’s capital and largest city, founded in 1869 as a small British police camp after the Free State–Basotho Wars pushed Moshoeshoe I to cede land and accept a protectorate. The district holds two of the nation’s founding sites: Thaba Bosiu, the sandstone mountain where Moshoeshoe I gathered the Basotho nation in 1824, and Morija, Lesotho’s oldest mission station, founded in 1833. Maseru itself grew from a cluster of colonial buildings into a city of over 330,000 people, while its eastern reaches climb toward the Maluti foothills and the trading village of Semonkong.
Photo by BagelBelt, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.
Heritage & Landmarks
Moshoeshoe I's mountain stronghold, a national monument since 1967
Lesotho's oldest mission station, founded 1833, with dinosaur footprints and a museum
192m single-drop waterfall near Semonkong, among Southern Africa's highest
Home to the National University of Lesotho, founded as a mission in 1862
Explore Maseru District
A 192m single-drop waterfall, and the site of the world's longest commercial abseil.
The mission town where Lesotho's history was written down — and where dinosaurs once walked.
The sandstone stronghold where King Moshoeshoe I founded the Basotho nation.
Where to Stay
Tribute Guest House Matala, Maseru Very good 8.2/10 guest house in Matala, Maseru, Maseru District. 12 rooms. Property Details Type: Guest House Guest Rating: 8.2/10 (Trip.com, 114 reviews) Check-in: 13:00 Check-out: 10:00 Rooms: 12 Amenities Free WiFi, Free private parking, Air conditioning, Restaurant and bar, Conference room (fee applies), Laundry service (fee applies), Luggage storage,...
Ramabanta Trading Post, Maseru District Excellent 4.6/5 mountain lodge at Ramabanta, on the road from Maseru to Semonkong, about 70km from the capital. Property Details Type: Mountain lodge Guest Rating: 4.6/5 (Google, 53 reviews) Rooms: Five accommodation types — Khotso Pula Nala rondavels, Phasemane House, Lithabeng Cottages, The Stables, Mountain View Units Amenities Lounge and...
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