Lesotho has a way of testing an overlander’s mettle long before the ignition keys are even turned. The official briefing notes for the 2026 Maloti-Drakensberg Transfrontier Conservation Area (TFCA) Adventure Trophy did not mince words: “There are
exceptionally steep ascents and descents awaiting us in Lesotho, so please ensure that your vehicle is in tip-top condition, that your brakes are really working, and
that your cooling system has been sorted out.” For the 24 crews who
assembled at the Ramabanta Trading Store on Sunday, 29 March,
those warnings proved entirely justified. What followed was a proper
overlanding adventure where nature ignored the carefully planned
route and forced the convoy to earn every kilometre the hard way.
Here is how the journey unfolded across the Kingdom in the Sky.
The convoy gathers – from Ramabanta to
Malealea
Registration day at Ramabanta saw an impressive mix of machinery arrive from all corners of South Africa. Enthusiasts travelled from Cape Town, KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo, the Free State, and Gauteng, bringing with them a wonderfully varied fleet of overlanding vehicles.
Old-school Land Rover Defender 110s stood proudly alongside two new-generation Defenders, while an Ineos Grenadier, Toyota Land Cruiser, and even a nimble Suzuki Jimny added to the diversity of the convoy.
On Monday morning, after a warm send-off from local tourism officials, the convoy rolled out at 07:30. The route soon left the tar behind and followed sections of the historic trails once carved out by the legendary Roof of Africa motorcycle enduro. Recent heavy rains had transformed the gravel tracks into a far more technical challenge than anticipated. What might normally have been a scenic drive quickly became a day of concentration, low-range work, and careful wheel placement.
After a long but spectacular day – broken only by a brief half-hour lunch stop – the convoy eventually reached Malealea Lodge at around 17:00, where stories of the day’s adventures were exchanged over a hearty dinner.
Redefining the route – detours, mud, and momentum
If Monday had been demanding, Tuesday became a true test of adaptability.
Heavy summer rains had dramatically altered the landscape since the original route recce, forcing organisers to reroute the convoy back through rural Lesotho via Paradise Pass.
Just 2km short of the main tar road near Mohale’s Hoek, the convoy encountered its first major obstacle. The bridge over the Ohoqhoane River had been completely washed away the previous week.
While scouting for an alternative route using Tracks4Africa, the lead 1986 V8 Land Rover Defender 110 broke through the crust of a waterlogged mealie field and promptly found itself firmly belly-hung in the mud.
Fortunately, teamwork quickly came to the rescue. With the help of recovery straps and a winch, the Defender was extracted without too much drama – although the missing bridge forced the convoy into an enormous 85km detour via Mafeteng before eventually reaching Mohale’s Hoek.
The delay was compounded by a frantic scramble to secure diesel and petrol ahead of a midnight fuel price increase, costing the convoy another three precious hours.
To recover lost time, the convoy pushed along the A2 highway, tracing the historic Senqu (Orange) River past landmarks such as Fort Hartley and Mount Moorosi.
As dusk settled over the valleys, organisers activated a contingency plan and established an unexpected wild camp deep within the Kuiting River valley. What initially seemed like another logistical headache quickly turned into one of those unforgettable overlanding moments that cannot be planned.
Low-range work and mountain magic
Wednesday morning demanded complete concentration behind the wheel. Leaving the Kuiting River camp, the convoy headed through Hatsepane toward the infamous Nyamotse Pass. Recent weather had left the route heavily eroded, rocky, and badly washed out in places. It was exactly the sort of terrain that reminds drivers why low-range gearing exists.
The challenge did not end there. Immediately afterwards came Lekhalong La Lesehla Pass, which proved even rougher and more demanding. Climbing to over 2 500m above sea level, the route pushed vehicles, brakes, cooling systems, and drivers alike to their limits before eventually descending back toward the A4 near Tsitsong.
The reward for the day’s effort was a spectacular wild camp on the banks of the Senqu River. Beneath clear skies, the convoy settled in under a brilliant rising moon and a canopy of stars that reminded everyone exactly why people endure the hardships of overlanding in the first place.
From Horseshoe Bend to community camps
Thursday delivered some slightly easier driving, although Lesotho still had a few surprises left in store. The convoy stopped at the famous Horseshoe Viewpoint, where the Senqu River curves dramatically through the canyon far below in a near-perfect semi-circle.
From there, the route continued through Qacha’s Nek, allowing crews an opportunity to refuel and stock up on supplies before pushing onward toward Sehlabathebe National Park.
Unfortunately, further rain damage meant that the planned gravel route over the Tsuliki River suspension bridge was no longer passable. Instead, the convoy diverted onto the smooth new Chinese-built tar road before eventually reaching the Thamatha River community campsite.
While the campsite lacked many of the commercial comforts travellers may be used to, it more than compensated with raw scenery, tranquillity, and authentic mountain atmosphere. The community-run initiative delivered a fitting final night beneath Lesotho’s vast skies.
The home stretch – Sehlabathebe to Matatiele
Good Friday started with a chilly morning river crossing as the convoy departed the Thamatha River campsite. The route then entered the spectacular Sehlabathebe National Park,
where a circular drive climbed to around 2 600m above sea level through alpine wetlands, sandstone formations, and some of the country’s most dramatic high-altitude scenery. From there, the convoy descended along newly tarred mountain roads toward the remote Ramatseliso Border Post. Quiet, isolated, and almost completely devoid of traffic, the crossing back into South Africa proved refreshingly painless.
A final gravel section eventually delivered all 24 vehicles safely into Matatiele by 14:00. The afternoon was spent relaxing at the Rest Haven Guesthouse before participants gathered one final time for a festive prize- giving dinner to celebrate a highly successful – if occasionally unpredictable – 2026 Adventure Trophy.
2026 Adventure Trophy quick facts
- Fleet size: 24 vehicles
- Host country: Kingdom of Lesotho
- Key passes tackled: Paradise Pass, Nyamotse Pass, Lekhalong La Lesehla Pass
- Wild camps: Kuiting River, Senqu River, Thamatha River
Route challenges along the way
- ·Ohoqhoane River – Bridge washed away, forcing an 85km detour via Mafeteng.
- Mohale’s Hoek – Fuel shortages and queues due to the impending fuel price hike.
- Kuiting River – Unexpected delays resulted in an unplanned wild camp that ultimately became one of the highlights of the trip.
