Malealea & MDT Partnership

Malealea Lodge is a proudly eco-conscious lodge nestled in the southern district of Mafeteng, deep in the heart of the Mountain Kingdom of Lesotho. Owned and operated by the Jones family—who grew up in Lesotho and share a deep connection with its land and people—the lodge is dedicated to sharing the breathtaking beauty of the region with both local and international travellers.

What began as a humble trading post has grown into a beloved adventure destination, known for its warm hospitality and unforgettable mountain experiences. Today, guests from around the globe journey to Malealea to discover the landscapes, culture, and spirit of Lesotho.

What truly sets Malealea Lodge apart from other travel destinations in Lesotho is its strong and ongoing relationship with the surrounding communities. One of the lodge’s most enduring legacies is its support of local development initiatives. At Malealea, we believe that tourism should uplift and benefit the communities who so generously welcome visitors into their valley.

The roots of community development at Malealea Lodge go back to 1998, when the lodge began supporting small-scale projects such as a hydroponic hothouse, a communal vegetable garden, and the construction of village school classrooms—built brick by brick with local hands and hearts.

As tourism grew, so did the interest of visitors in contributing meaningfully to local development. Many guests expressed a desire to support projects in the valley, leading the Lodge to collaborate more closely with both community members and Johannesburg-based academic Gillian Attwood. Together, they began formalising efforts that could be sustained and scaled through external support and funding.

This approach gave rise to a strong, interdependent relationship between the Lodge and the community—one that continues to this day through a wide range of impactful initiatives. For more on these projects, we invite you to visit the Malealea Development Trust website: www.malealeadevelopmenttrust.org

In 2001, the Malealea Development Trust (MDT) was formally established, with the full support and participation of the Lodge. The responsibility for managing community development efforts and donations from guests was officially transferred to the MDT, a registered non-profit organisation with its own financial oversight and reporting systems.

The MDT focuses its efforts on four core areas of need:

Education and training
Health and well-being
Support for orphans and vulnerable children
General community development

The MDT gratefully accepts donations of all sizes, and many guests choose to contribute—whether big or small—directly at the MDT office during their stay. Malealea Lodge also supports the MDT through community-based tourism initiatives that are closely tied to its operations. These include the Malealea Pony Trekking Association and guided hiking trails, with a portion of proceeds going directly to MDT-supported community projects. In this way, guests play an active role in local development simply by enjoying the activities offered at the Lodge.

To this day, a strong and mutually beneficial partnership exists between Malealea Lodge and the MDT. Many visitors are introduced to the Trust’s work during their stay and continue to support it long after they leave—becoming donors, fundraisers, and ambassadors who help bring further resources and expertise to the valley.