Day 57: Semonkong – Sehlabathebe NP (Old Lodge)

It is really cold at night, around 3-5 degrees. As soon as the sun comes out, it warms up quickly and today we even reach well over 20 degrees despite the altitude (up to 2,600 m).

It feels like winter or spring in places, but rose bushes and other flowers are already blooming, trees are fragrant and, amazingly, fruit trees in the valley are already bearing small buds of fruit. The small fields are being ploughed (with oxen) and sown.

The landscape is indescribably beautiful. The roads are amazingly good. And so today we get to Sehlabathebe NP, in the extreme southeast, without any problems.

There is a fairly new visitors center where we pay 120 Rand (= Maloti = 6.30 euros) to visit the park. But they don't have any information for us. There is a new lodge right at the park entrance. But we read on iOverlander that it is also possible to camp at the old, abandoned lodge. Good decision: It is one of the most magical places we have ever been.

Given the early sunsets and the subsequent cold, we cook and eat at around 5 p.m. and pay homage to the surroundings with a glass of red wine.

In between, two men trot past with a couple of horses, wave friendly and go on their way. Wow!