Community Excursions

On this tour, we will show you how we live. You will see our homes. You will see the communal tap from which we collect our water. You will see how local women brew beer and sell it out of their huts. You will see us working our fields, perhaps with a tractor, but most likely with our cows. You will see our horses, many of whom are sturdy and robust, while others appear more drawn. Fragile. You will see our schools. Our preschool children may dance for you. It is not because they have to, but because it is fun. It is not to endear your sympathy or to coax open your pockets. It is simply because they are children. 

Along the way, you will see poverty, but we hope that doesn’t stop you from seeing everything else. From seeing hope and resiliency and laughter. From seeing a people, like you, who work hard every day.

We offer different versions of this tour based on how long you would like to walk and what you would like to see. The tours range from 1 to 3 hours. Of the portion of the fee, 65% goes to the guides and 35% goes to the Malealea Development Trust to fund various projects that support our community immensely. An MDT staff member will introduce and close the tour, so you can ask as many questions about their work as you like. You may also read more here.  Malealea Development Trust

Included in the 2 hours village tour is a visit to a traditional beer brewer and having a talk with the local chief.  The 3 hours village tour will take further to Basotho cultural museum

You should not give any money directly to anyone along the tour because they have been paid in your fee.  If you feel moved to give money, we ask that you save all donations for the MDT at the end of the tour, and then specify what you would like the money to go towards. The staff of the MDT has dedicated their lives to figuring out systemic causes and fundamental solutions to Malealea’s problems. They know the people here and are always thinking about the big picture. They are the most appropriate channel for your money, should you want to help, and they can always use support. Again, we invite you to read more about their work on their website.

The reception office also gladly collects school supplies, clothing, and books for the community library on behalf of the MDT.

You can book this tour at any time at our reception office  and they will coordinate with the MDT and the guides for you.

For those wishing to experience real Basotho village life,  Ntate David Mokala and his wife Me Manthabiseng Mokala offer a traditional overnight village homestay 

This experience was inspired by David’s travels abroad where he was training for the Olympics in Germany, where he discovered that the most meaningful way to understand a country is by staying in people’s homes — especially in rural communities.

Guests walk approximately 20 minutes from the Lodge to the village, where they are welcomed into a family home. You will spend the night in the village, sharing a meal and time together, discussing culture, daily life, history, and community.

Important to know:

This is an overnight stay in the village
Guests must bring their own sleeping bags
Accommodation is in a traditional village home
Suitable for solo travellers or small groups (up to 6 people)

When David and his wife are unavailable or demand is high, the Malealea Development Trust can arrange homestays with other experienced host families

Please speak to reception or contact us to request a quote and ask if you want meals to be prepared for you or discuss bringing food to share.

If your travels have left you with questions you cannot answer, if you’re wondering whether you are on the right path, or if you’re seeking meaning in a dream or relief from an unexplained discomfort, our Sangoma may be able to provide the clarity you need.

Who is the Sangoma?

Sangomas are highly venerated in our culture for their ability to divine answers through spiritual guidance. At Malealea, you can arrange an appointment with the Sangoma through our reception office to consult the spirits for insight and direction.

Step into the Sangoma’s hut and leave the outside world behind for a time. It is a cocoon of enlightenment, where answers await those who seek them.

It was January 20, 1986, and torrential rain poured across Malealea. Determined to check on the state of his newly planted crops, Ntate Faneuel Musi trudged through the mud and wind, driven by a growing sense of fear. As he neared his fields, his worst fears were confirmed: the water rushing downhill was carrying away unthinkable amounts of fertile soil.

When he reached the path to his land, his progress was stopped short. In place of fertile fields, a roaring river now flowed. It was a donga—a massive ditch caused by erosion—more than 10 meters deep. And it was one of many scarring the landscape.

The Birth of a Revolutionary Idea

Musi was a retired mechanic with a background in engineering, not a farmer by profession. But as he surveyed the devastation, he realized this grave problem demanded a solution. Over the next decade, Musi embarked on a project that would transform his life—and his land—forever.

With nothing more than a sack tied around his waist, Musi began collecting rocks and building over 3000 walls to reclaim the land. These walls were constructed loosely to allow water to pass through while trapping the fertile soil behind them. Once enough soil accumulated, he planted grass and trees to stabilize the ground.

Collaboration and Transformation

Musi’s incredible work caught the attention of Mick Jones, who introduced him to GTZ (now GIZ), a German NGO. They helped him install an irrigation system, making Musi’s home the only one in Malealea with running water.

What was once barren, eroded land is now unrecognizable—fertile plots and grassy knolls flourish where scars once ran deep.

Carrying the Legacy Forward

Since Musi’s passing in 1996, his son Ntate Albert Musi has managed the farm alongside his mother, M’e Maseretse. Together, they continue to honor Faneuel’s legacy, welcoming visitors to learn about his remarkable achievements.

Albert and Maseretse passionately believe in the importance of protecting and preserving Malealea’s land, and they are eager to share their story with those who visit.

As the sun sets behind the majestic Maloti Mountains, painting the sky in hues of pink and gold, Malealea comes alive with the sound of music. Each night, the tranquil atmosphere of our lodge is enriched by the performances of The Malealea Band and Sotho Sound, who alternate to share their unique, heartfelt melodies.

These talented local musicians play “family-style” music on iconic, homemade Basotho instruments. Their violinists, who are herd boys by day, carry their instruments into the fields where they care for their animals. Surrounded by the open landscapes, inspiration strikes, and new songs are born—later perfected and shared with the band to perform for you.

Music is not just an art here; it’s the heartbeat of the Basotho people. Join us for an evening that transcends entertainment, offering a genuine connection to the spirit and culture of Malealea.

📚 A Village Library with a Big Impact

Nestled in the village of Ts’eanku, just a short walk from the lodge, this special library is a vital resource for local children. Twice a week, they visit to borrow and return books, socialize, and enjoy a safe, supervised space to play. Storytime sessions—where children both listen to and read aloud—help nurture a love of books and encourage a culture of reading within their families and the community.

One of the library’s key roles is serving as an incubator for bilingual picture storybooks. Every year, new books are developed here and shared through village and school-based Story Festivals.

📖 Visitors are welcome!

Join us on Wednesday and Thursday afternoons and take part in the joy of reading. A small donation—just the price of a book—helps us keep this initiative going. 

Who We Are

Paleng is a Lesotho-based NGO working in the Malealea Valley to foster a love of reading and storytelling among Basotho children. We are all about books.  We support Basotho children learning to read and promote a culture of reading

📚 What do we do?

• We give children from the villages in Malealea access to books in our village-based library
• We create our own home-grown bilingual picture storybooks
• We give out these books free as ‘mine-to-take-home’ books for children to read and share at home
• We run Story Festivals in Primary schools and villages where we distribute our books
• So far we have created 17 picture storybooks …..and we always need to make more.  Please help us make more books by making a donation, we will happily give you a book in return 😊

Our books:

• Are bilingual in Sesotho and English
• Speak to children’s daily lives
• Introduce them to new ideas and the wider world
• Give them a chance to practice reading at home

Read more about Paleng - Place of Stories