Getting To Maliba Lodge
Getting to Maliba Lodge is easy and enjoyable, and we highly recommend that our guests drive themselves to fully appreciate the scenic beauty along the way. The drive is safe, straightforward, and allows you to immerse yourself in the stunning landscapes en route to Maliba Lodge. Rest assured, a 4×4 vehicle is not required to access Tsehlanyane National Park.
Below are directions on how to get to Maliba Lodge:
Directions - By Car
- From Maseru take the road to Teyateyaneng (TY) north east passing through Hlotse (Leribe) on the way and travel for approx 130 km until you are 5 km short of Butha Buthe you will then reach a junction and road off to your right.
- (There is a sign board here just before the junction)
- Take a right turn here onto a new tar road and travel 32km until you reach Tsehlanyane National Park. This is where the main road stops.
- Once inside the park follow the signs for either Maliba Lodge OR River Lodge.
- Approx time from Maseru to park is ±1.5 – 2 hours
- From Clarens take the route no R711 towards Fouriesburg. At the faded sign at the top of the hill at the Fouriesburg junction take the road to Caledonspoort Border post. After completing SA formalities you cross the bridge and you are now in Lesotho.
- Complete the entrance formalities and pay R30.00 at the booth for road tax then travel for about 9km towards Butha Buthe (a large town) until you get to a T-junction. Be careful on outskirts of town [both sides] as police operate with radar guns and enforce 50km driving speed but are usually not there after hours or on weekends!
- There is quite a lot of street activity prior to the junction in Butha Buthe. Turn right here at the junction and travel away from town (past an Excel service station on your right) in the direction of Maseru for approx 5.5 km. You will then reach a junction and a new tar road off to your left. (There is a Maliba sign board here). Take a left turn here and travel 32km until you reach Tsehlanyane National Park.
- Once inside the park follow the signs either for either Maliba Lodge OR River Lodge.
- Approx time from Border post to Maliba is 45 minutes.
Take the N8 from Bloemfontein towards Ladybrand, then take the R26 to Clocolan and Ficksburg and continue onto Fouriesburg. On the outskirts of Fouriesburg at the bottom of a hill there is a signpost to Clarens. Take this road to the right and after a few hundred metres take the RH junction to Caledonspoort Border post which is marked with a faded signboard. After completing SA formalities you cross the bridge and you are now in Lesotho.
Complete the entrance formalities and pay R30.00 at the booth for road tax then travel for about 9km towards Butha Buthe (a large town) until you get to a T-junction. Be careful on outskirts of town [both sides] as police operate with radar guns and enforce 50km driving speed but are usually not there after hours or on weekends!
There is quite a lot of street activity prior to the junction in Butha Buthe. Turn right here at the junction and travel away from town (past an Excel service station on your right) in the direction of Maseru for approx 5.5 km. You will then reach a junction and a new tar road off to your left. (There is a Maliba sign board here). Take a left turn here and travel 32km until you reach Tsehlanyane National Park.
Once inside the park follow the signs for either Maliba Lodge OR River Lodge.
Approx time from Border post to Maliba is 45 minutes.
- Head out of Jhb on N3 and turn off at Warden south west along the R714 which takes you to Bethlehem and Fouriesburg. In Bethlehem (after Nandos and Wimpy) turn right at the Engen garage (4 way stop) into Church street (Kerk Street).Travel on and then turn left into Commissioner Road at the KFC which takes you to Fouriesburg.
- On the outskirts of Fouriesburg at the bottom of a hill there is a signpost to Clarens. Take this road to the left and after a few hundred meters take the RH junction to Caledonspoort Border post with is marked with a faded signboard. After completing SA formalities you cross the bridge and you are now in Lesotho.
- Complete the entrance formalities and pay R30.00 at the booth for road tax then travel for about 9km towards Butha Buthe (a large town) until you get to a T-junction. Be careful on outskirts of town [both sides] as police can operate with radar guns and enforce 50km driving speed but are usually not there after hours or on weekends!
- There is quite a lot of street activity prior to the junction in Butha Buthe. Turn right here at the junction and travel away from town (past an Excel service station on your right) in the direction of Maseru for approx 5.5 km. You will then reach a junction and a new tar road off to your left. (There is a Maliba sign board here). Take a left turn here and travel 32km until you reach Tsehlanyane National Park.
- Once inside the park follow the signs for either Maliba Lodge OR River Lodge.
- Approx time from Border post to Maliba is 45 minutes.
- Head towards PMB and Escourt and you will eventually come to the Shell Ultra City service station. This should take about 2 hours from Durban. Just after the Shell take the Calenso / Winterton R74 exit to the left.
- Carry on straight through Winterton and Bergville and head into the hills and past Sterkfontein dam (on your left).
- You will reach a T-Junction the R712 and here you turn left and head in the direction of Qwa Qwa (Golden gate). Continue straight and you will eventually get to the Golden gate park entrance where you will have to fill in and entry and exit formality for the park.
- Continue on to Clarens.
- On reaching the outskirts of Clarens you must take the LH junction (R711) to Fouriesburg. At the cross road just outside town take the signboard marked Caledonspoort to the left. After completing SA formalities you cross the bridge and you are now in Lesotho.
- Complete the entrance formalities and pay R30.00 at the booth for road tax then travel for about 9km towards Butha Buthe (a large town) until you get to a T-junction. Be careful on outskirts of town [both sides] as police operate with radar guns and enforce 50km driving speed but are usually not there after hours or on weekends!
- There is quite a lot of street activity prior to the junction in Butha Buthe. Turn right here at the junction and travel away from town (past Puma service station on your right) in the direction of Maseru for approx 5.5 km. You will then reach a junction and a new tar road off to your left. (There is a Maliba sign board here). Take a left turn here and travel 32km until you reach Tsehlanyane National Park.
- Once inside the park follow the signs for either River Lodge OR Maliba Lodge.
- Approx time from Border post to Maliba is 45 minutes.
Border Formalities
Border Open Hours
Crossing the border from South Africa to Lesotho is a quick and painless process. The following hours of operation are for the Lesotho posts.
*Caledonspoort is the most convenient border crossing from Johannesburg
| Border Gate | Opening / Closing Times (hh:mm) |
| Boesmansnek | 08h00-16h00 |
| Caledonspoort* | 06h00-22h00 |
| Ficksburg Bridge | 24 Hours |
| Makhaleng Bridge | 08h00-18h00 |
| Maseru Bridge | 24 Hours |
| Monantsa’s Pass | 08h00-16h00 |
| Ongeluksnek | 08h00-16h00 |
| Peka Bridge | 08h00-16h00 |
| Quacha’s Nek | 07h00-20h00 |
| Ramatsilitso | 08h00-16h00 |
| Sanipass | 08h00-16h00 |
| Sepapus Gate | 08h00-16h00 |
| Tele Bridge | 06h00-22h00 |
| Van Rooyens Gate | 06h00-22h00 |
Border Costs
Crossing the border from South Africa to Lesotho is a quick and painless process. As of 1 June 2024, an attraction and tourism levy of R100 is payable for all persons who are 13 years or older.
The following cost for crossing for the Lesotho posts are below.
| Boesmansnek | R 90 |
| Caledonspoort * | R 90 |
| Ficksburg Bridge | R 90 |
| Makhaleng Bridge | R 90 |
| Maseru Bridge | R 90 |
| Monantsa’s Pass | R 90 |
| Ongeluksnek | R 90 |
| Peka Bridge | R 90 |
| Quacha’s Nek | R 90 |
| Ramatsilitso | R 90 |
| Sanipass | R 90 |
| Sepapus Gate | R 90 |
| Tele Bridge | R 90 |
| Van Rooyens Gate | R 90 |
What to Pack
To ensure your stay at Maliba Lodge is as comfortable and enjoyable as possible, we recommend packing with the changing weather conditions of alpine regions in mind:
- Passport (with at least 6 month validity)
- Sunglasses
- Good hiking boots
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Camera
- Binoculars
- Torch
- Warm Clothes (In Winter)
Southern Africa experiences four distinct seasons, though they may not always align with what you might expect.
- Summer (November to February): Expect warmer and wetter conditions, with temperatures ranging from 15°C to 30°C. Be prepared for occasional rain showers by packing light, breathable clothing, a rain jacket, and comfortable footwear suitable for wet conditions.
- Winter (May to August): Anticipate drier and colder weather, with temperatures ranging from -2°C to 18°C. To stay warm, bring layers, including thermal wear, a heavy jacket, gloves, a hat, and sturdy footwear.
- Spring (September to October) & Autumn (March to April): These seasons can have unpredictable weather, so pack a mix of warm and cool clothing, and be prepared for both sunny and chilly days.
- Essential Items: Sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat, and a reusable water bottle for sunny days, and a warm blanket or shawl for cooler evenings.
By packing thoughtfully for the varying weather conditions, you’ll be well-prepared to fully enjoy the beauty and tranquility of Maliba Lodge, no matter the season.
