Thousands of winter sports enthusiasts are travelling to the small mountain kingdom of Lesotho every year, establishing it as one of southern Africa’s most unusual tourist destinations.
Owing to its high altitude and rugged terrain, Lesotho is the coldest country in Africa. During the winter months from June to August, temperatures in the highlands can plummet to minus 8 degrees Celsius.
The nation’s Afriski Mountain Resort, situated approximately 3,200 metres above sea level in the northern Maluti Mountains, stands as the only fully operational ski resort in sub-Saharan Africa. Spanning 17 hectares, the resort has hosted skiers and snowboarders for the past 25 years.
Tourism contributes roughly 7 per cent of Lesotho’s $2.6 billion economy, with Afriski playing a vital role by attracting international visitors and generating jobs. To maintain its slopes throughout the Southern Hemisphere’s winter, the resort utilises artificial snow machines.
Visitors primarily from South Africa
Despite a 2025 remark by U.S. President Donald Trump joking that Lesotho was a country “nobody has ever heard of,” the kingdom of 2.3 million people has seen a steady rise in tourist arrivals. In 2024, the nation celebrated the bicentenary of the founding of the Basotho nation and 58 years of independence from Britain.
While some visitors arrive via the airport in the capital, Maseru, the majority drive from neighbouring South Africa. Afriski CEO Theo Ferreira stated that nearly 70 per cent of visitors originate from South Africa, with the remainder coming mainly from Lesotho and other southern African countries.
The resort provides employment for 227 full time and seasonal workers, most of whom are Basotho nationals. Approximately 30 South Africans are also employed, primarily serving as ski instructors.
Afriski has the capacity to accommodate 420 overnight guests, while additional lodging is provided by nearby towns such as Butha Buthe and Mohlokong during the peak season. The resort recorded over 1,400 visitors on its busiest day this year, following a 2025 record that exceeded 1,600 visitors.
A different side of Africa
Because natural snowfall can be unpredictable, the resort relies on artificial snow to ensure suitable skiing conditions throughout the winter.
Southern Africa is traditionally associated with wildlife safaris and scenic coastlines rather than skiing, but Afriski has introduced winter sports to many first-time visitors. Janko Smits, a student from Cape Town, noted that the resort was an excellent venue for learning to ski, despite experiencing a few hard falls initially.
Another first-time visitor, Thato Ramaphoko from Pretoria, remarked that it was surprising to experience snow in Africa, where expectations are often limited to sunshine and deserts.
In addition to skiing, tourists can sample local cuisine, Maluti Lager beer, and the colourful Basotho blanket, which remains one of Lesotho’s most prominent cultural products.
