- Address: 20 km from Maseru, Lesotho;
- Height: 1804 meters above sea level.
The sandy mountain plateau of Taba Bosiu, located between the two rivers Orange and Mohokar , rises 1804 meters above sea level. The plateau itself occupies an area of no more than two square kilometers and is a flat top of the eponymous Taba-Bosiou mountain, whose name in translation from the local language means "night mountain". Also on the plateau is a city with the same name - Taba Bosiou.
These places are sacred to the local population and attract tourists with their historical significance.
Historical reference
In 1784, the legendary leader of the Basotho Moshveshve I people, in search of refuge for his people, came to Taba Bosiu mountain. At this time, the indigenous people of Lesotho fought against the Zulu invaders. Nature has built the Taba-Bosiu plateau in such a way that the plateau itself rises to 120 m relative to the rest, and Taba-Bosiou Mountain could be reached only along the single narrow path, which gave certain advantages to the people of the basuto in conducting military operations.
At the same time, the ideal location between the two rivers provided opportunities for survival in the long siege of this place. King Moshoeshve I took care of the construction here of a fortified citadel for conducting military operations. This citadel for 40 subsequent years was a reliable protection of the territory of a small state first from the Zulu tribes, and then from the English colonizers. Only in 1824 the British were able to occupy the citadel.
Today, the ruins of the famous citadel of King Moshoeshoe I attract a lot of tourists, and local people consider these places sacred and worship the saving mountain on the Taba-Bossiu plateau.
Taba Bosiu
The settlement of Taba Bosiou was founded on a plateau much later around the sacred citadel of the Basotho people. Currently, Taba-Bossiu is the main historical center of the whole kingdom of Lesotho. Tourists come here to inspect the ruins of the legendary citadel and the burial place of King Moshveshoe I, as well as to admire the landscapes opening up from the plateau worthy of the Swiss Alps.
In addition, for tourists, theater performances are often organized here, revealing the main points of the history of the state of Lesotho, as well as the traditions of the local people. One of such legends reveals the essence of the name of Taba-Bosiu plateau. In the translation from the local dialect of the Basu, Taba-Bosiou means "the night mountain," according to ancient legends, the mountain expands at night, and shrinks in the morning, thus dumping the enemies of the basuto people from its cliffs.
Another attraction of this area is the tower of Kvilone, located in the heart of the settlement and made in the form of a national headdress of basuto.
Where to stay?
The Taba-Bossiu Plateau is 20 km from the capital of the kingdom when moving to the north-west. You can get here on a rented car or with an excursion from Maseru in just two hours. Therefore, you can stay for living in the capital. The most popular hotels here are:
- Avani Maseru Hotel. The price for a standard room starts from $ 100. The hotel offers free parking, a swimming pool and a restaurant.
- Avani Lesotho Hotel & Casino. The price for a double accommodation starts from $ 128. The hotel has a swimming pool, parking, gym and restaurant.
- Mpilo Boutique Hotel. The price for the room starts at $ 110. Free parking, a restaurant and free Wi-Fi are available on site.
- Molengoane Lodge. Double rooms cost from $ 60. The rooms are equipped with a small kitchen area, and there is free parking.
- Scenery Guest House. Rooms cost from $ 50.
- Villadge Court Guest House. Located 7 km from the city center, rooms start at $ 40.
| | | |
| | | |
