What our guests say

The Lodge had seen better days. It seems to be a bit neglected and some repairs here and there should be done. The swimming pool is not in use and is in a entirely rotten condition, it should be removed or covered. The water in the rooms is not potable from the tap, there is only a sign that drinking water can be bought at the bar. It is not acceptable to stay in a lodge where there is not a least a pot of drinking water in the room. We have stayed in different lodges in Lesotho and even the cheapest one had a jug with drinking water in each room. The kitchen staff is not very flexible. They always seems to be in a hurry to end service as fast as possible. They even came to get us at the reception, where we were busy checking out, because we were not at our table at 07.00 pm for dinner. For breakfast it is the same. It starts at 08.00 am. If you wish an earlier time, you can talk to the kitchen staff (that's what it says on a sign in the room), however, the reality is, that you really need to convince them to come earlier.
The whole staff of the Lodge is friendly however, and they try to accomodate you and your wishes for hicking, horse riding etc.. The reception was very helpful.

REPLY FROM MALEALEA LODGE

Thank you very much for taking the time to write such a detailed and thoughtful review. We truly appreciate your feedback and are grateful that you brought these points to our attention.

Malealea Lodge is a remote, rural lodge, and while we work hard to maintain the property, we do acknowledge that certain areas require ongoing attention and improvement. Regarding the swimming pool, unfortunately it is no longer in use as a pool and is currently required as part of our water storage system. We understand that its appearance was not ideal, and we are pleased to share that we have since installed a swimming pool cover, which has significantly improved how the area looks.

We have also started plastering and painting the exterior of the rooms where traditional ditema designs were previously used. Although these designs are made using local materials such as cow dung, horse dung, and sand, the mixture does not last well over time, particularly in heavy rain, and can begin to peel. We have therefore decided to move toward a more durable plaster-and-paint finish. This is being done gradually, room by room, and is already creating a cleaner, more consistent overall appearance and we are also re-painting the insides of the rooms one by one.

You are absolutely right about the drinking water, and we appreciate you highlighting this. Since your stay, we have introduced water jugs in all rooms, beautifully presented with fresh fabric seshoeshoe covers and two glasses, so guests always have drinking water readily available in their rooms.

We are also sorry for your experience with meal times. While set dining times are in place due to staffing and logistical constraints in such a remote area, flexibility and hospitality should always come first. We are currently working closely with the kitchen team and have planned additional service training during the course of this year to improve communication, flexibility, and overall guest experience.

We are pleased to hear that you found our staff friendly and helpful, particularly in reception and with activities such as hiking and pony trekking. Your kind words in this regard are greatly appreciated and will be shared with the team.

Thank you once again for your honest feedback. Reviews like yours help us to improve and to better serve our guests, and we hope that you will consider visiting us again in the future to see these improvements firsthand.

Warm regards,
Jackie - Malealea Lodge

• Standard En-Suite Rooms

(Translated by Google) I recently visited Malealea Lodge in Lesotho and was blown away by the beauty of the place. Set in a breathtaking natural environment, the lodge offers an authentic experience immersed in the local culture.

The pony trekking and mountain biking activities are simply amazing. The hikes through the spectacular landscapes are an incredible way to explore the region and experience nature up close. Led by experts, we felt safe as we discovered scenic trails and quaint villages.

The lodge itself is cozy and offers comfortable rooms, perfect for relaxing after a day of adventure. The staff are friendly and helpful, always ready to provide information and useful tips.

Overall, Malealea Lodge is a great place to stay for those looking for an adventurous and authentic experience in Lesotho. I highly recommend visiting to enjoy the natural beauty and warm local hospitality!

• Rondavels and Larger rooms
• Lesotho Pony Trekking and Hikes
• Community Excursions

(Translated by Google) The heart of the village and the valley. A lot of magic happens here. Social and cooperative projects. It's obviously a lodge and is perfectly prepared for tourism, with a restaurant, pony tours, local music, cabins, and excellent views. It's very peaceful and worth a visit for a few days of relaxation and a closer look at the local culture. There are also many treks, which you can do on your own as it's an extremely safe area. The Top Things to Do in Lesotho

• Camping
• Community Excursions

Great facilities, check, 
Good bar and food offering, check, 
Nice activities, check... 

But lets be real any hotel can have the above. What makes truly special this place is the people.
The only reason why I came here is because I sent about 15 emails to lodges around the country and Malealea went above and beyond to help me. Shout out to Debbie.

Once here I have the exceptional experience of meeting the manager BOB, Incredible hospitality and great professional.

Lastly I want to mention David. He helped me to plan my adventure, sat down with me and gave me invaluable knowledge and advice.

First night I stay in a double bed cabin, second night in one of the adobe huts. Wonderful experience.

I am coming back

• Rondavels and Larger rooms
• Community Excursions
• Overnight Pony Treks and Hikes

We stayed 3 nights with our teenagers and loved the experience. We did the Waterfall and rock painting walk (beautiful), the 2-hour village tour (really informative), some horse riding around the lodge in beautiful landscape plus ping-pong and table soccer... Kids can roam around as the property is spacious. While the food and the rooms are simple, the staff is very friendly and efficient. Activities can be organized within minutes! Great conversations around the fire too. The relationship with the surrounding communities is remarkable as the Loge initiated the Malealea Development Trust.

• Lesotho Pony Trekking and Hikes
• Community Excursions

We stayed 3 nights with our teenagers and loved the experience. We did the Waterfall and rock painting walk (beautiful), the 2-hour village tour (really informative), some horse riding around the lodge in beautiful landscape plus ping-pong and table soccer... Kids can roam around as the property is spacious. While the food and the rooms are simple, the staff is very friendly and efficient. Activities can be organized within minutes! Great conversations around the fire too. The relationship with the surrounding communities is remarkable as the Loge initiated the Malealea Development Trust.

• Lesotho Pony Trekking and Hikes
• Community Excursions

Went to Malealea Lodge for a short break away. What a pleasant surprise! Nestled between the mountains, just a week too late to experience the snow fall.
Rooms were clean and comfortable.
Staff was very friendly and the dinner and breakfast were like mom's food.
Just note it is in a rural area, the last few kilometres were a poor dirt road, damaged after heavy rains.
I still managed to get there in my Ford Figo. I just took it very slow!

Highly recommended. We stayed 1 night in a round "hut" and everything was great - the hut, bathroom, food, grounds and entertainment. The grounds are immaculate and the room very clean and organized. Everything was fairly wheelchair accessible. The staff helped get my wheelchair over a small step into the hut and restaurant etc. The choir and band provide an interesting glimpse of local culture.

• Rondavels and Larger rooms

Huge and beautiful place, with welcoming staff and you just feel so good there.
I stayed longer than expected.
Road is a bit hard because it’s a gravel one but I did it with a normal car.

Just come feel the vibe here !
Thank you to everyone there ❤️

We had a very pleasant stay at Malealea lodge. Beautiful beyond words, well kept and a nice taste of the Basotho culture. Our hiking guide, Rasta was so nice and a great story teller. 100% recommend taking an adventure to explore the paradise that is Malealea!

• Community Excursions