En route to visiting Zulu libraries in KwaZulu-Natal, I booked a tour to Lesotho — an independent mountain kingdom completely encircled by South Africa. The promise of awe-inspiring altitudes and stark skylines had long inclined me to make the trip, all the more tempting when I imagined traversing the peaks on pony back.
Check out this slideshow for photos of Sani Pass, traditional homes, and my pony trek!
the trail to Sani Pass, navigable only by 4×4 
looking back along our road to Lesotho! 
at the highest pub in Africa (2874m!) 
homes made with thatch roofs and no mortar 
the home of a traditional healer: straw, not stone 
She wore the skin of the black-backed jackal for a headdress 
grinding sourghum for beer 
our accommodations for the night! 
the spiral aloe, unique to this area! 
St James, one of the many Catholic missions in Lesotho 
my mount for the pony trek 
my guide, alongside a field freshly ploughed (by a team of oxen!) 
greeting sheep along the way – shepherding is the most honored profession in Lesotho 
I learned more riding in an hour than I have in years from this gentleman 
our homecooked meal: baked bread, corn pap, fried cabbage, and savory lamb stew 
our hostess for the meal! 
Local hats mimic the shape of their sanctuary mountain; men and women wrap blankets with a different side facing out for each 
shepherds in traditional dress 
farewell, Lesotho! 
