Morija Guest HousesLesotho accommodation in MorijaDescriptionThe Morija Guest House can be seen from a distance before you arrive - if you know where to look. It's built from sandstone, cut directly into the rock, and with its thatched grass roof it blends into the surrounding environment perfectly. The house is built of local materials and the proceeds from the sale of the trees go to the Village Development Council, providing much needed resources. The self-catering Morija is fully furnished. The Main House has 8 bedrooms which comfortably accommodates 14 people and below the main house are a number of cattages, all built in the traditional style of the Basotho with thatched roofs and decorated walls, accommodating a further 12 people. The large dining room and lounge of the Main House can welcome up to 25 people, making it ideal for families, tour groups, retreats, meetings, corporate getways or small workshops.
Morija Guest Houses are an ideal base from which to explore the historical Morija with it's Museum and Archives, craft centre, development projects and local institutions, it is also an ideal base to explore Lesotho.
Please note that Morija Guest Houses does not operate as part of the Morija Museum, it is an independent accommodation establishment operating on it's own There is also a massive kitchen and living room, and extra space in the roof means that young people can use the house as a base while exploring the vicinity. For five years David, his wife Brigitte and their family lived in the house on the rock. In 1996 they left for Maseru, where they now live, work and attend school. But such a perfect setting could not go to waste, so the Halls transformed their home into a guest house. While living on the rock, one of David's aims was to inject funds into the local community. So in 1996 he joined forces with horse-owning Morija families to form the Morija Pony Trekking Association. 'The best way to view the mountains and the surrounding villages is from horse back, says Brigitte. 'You can reach places where cars never go and you always get a warm welcome from villagers. We ride as a family as often as we can. Somebody once said that "to ride a horse is to borrow freedom'; I couldn't agree more, and there can't be a nicer way to get away from it all.' The Trekking Association has grown steadily and can now accommodate up to a dozen riders for short or long treks. In 40 minutes the top of the rock can be reached on foot -- with a magnificent view of the Maluti mountains as a reward. The dinosaur footprints and sandstone caves on the mountain are also within walking distance. Skilled rock climbers open up new routes in the cliff face and test their skills on the 'world class' boulders below. The caretaker, Molifiayane Sekhesa, has been associated with the Guest House from day one. As a carpenter and builder he played a key role in putting all the pieces together, and he now makes sure that everything is ready for visitors. As secretary to the Pony Trekking Association he also arranges rides. Molifinyane is a fluent English speaker, and is always happy to introduce guests to the peculiarities of Sesotho language and culture. From Ha Matela you can see 45km north to the Berea plateau above Maseru. To the south, Makhoarane mountain, with its tree-covered slopes and giant sandstone boulders, towers above the houses. Small wonder, then, that the rock was a favoured haunt of San hunters who lived in the area until the late 1700s. While sitting on top of the rock they would fashion their stone tools, throwing the rejects over the edge. Remnants of these broken tools can still be found on the path below. In the 1860s and 1870s the rock was used to provide building sandstone for the Basutoland Teachers' Training College (now Thabeng High School). And for many years the rock was the preferred look-out of local shepherds; they could keep an eye on their flocks while enjoying a game of marabaraba, using a set carved deeply into the sandstone. In the l920s, it featured in Love at the Mission, a novel by South African writer Etheldra Lewis. Accommodation Main House: 8 bedrooms: one with a double bed; four with twin beds; two single rooms and one family room (with four single beds) 3 bathrooms (shared) Sleeping capacity: 16 people Large kitchen/dining room which can seat up to 24 people (fully equipped for self-catering as well). Large lounge which can also be used for small workshops Coal stove in kitchen, open fireplace in lounge Lovely terraces to relax and enjoy views or to watch performances by traditional dancers and musicians, or choirs. Other Houses: * 1 fully equipped cottage for 4 people * 3 bedrooms sharing a bathroom (Good parking and security throughout)
AttractionsWalks or hikes: - to the dams, a pleasant stroll from the guest houses, particularly recommended for bird watchers;
- to an impressive rock bearing dinosaur footprints;
- to the top of Makhoarane Plateau;
- to the royal village of Matsieng or other neighbouring villages.
Horse riding: on sure-footed Basotho ponies, from short rides in the vicinity to overnight treks. Tours of historic Morija : - visit of the Morija Museum and Archives (only museum in Lesotho);
- visit of historic buildings, in particular the oldest church and the oldest house in the country;
- visit of different institutions in the town (printing works, schools, hospital, etc), and of the local crafts shop;
- tour of places mentioned in Tim Couzens’ book: “Murder at Morija”.
Village sleepovers: after a four-hour hike or pony ride, small groups are welcomed for the evening and the night in the local homes of a mountain village – an unforgettable experience (SEE PHOTO GALLERY) Day excursions outside Morija: - Thaba Bosiu, Moshoeshoes’s historic fortress;
- Kome Caves, once used as refuge from cannibals and still inhabited today;
- Mohale Dam, one of the outstanding sites of the Lesotho Highlands Water Project;
- The Afri-Ski resort in the Mahlasela Valley;
- Maletsunyane Falls in Semonkong (highest waterfalls in Southern Africa).
Mountain biking and Rock climbing (bring your own bikes and/or equipment)
RatesAccommodation per adult per night (children up to 15 pay half-price; under 5’s stay for free). Please note that our rates increase on 01-04-11 so the future rates appear in brackets and in italics next to the present rates. Main House
Downstairs bedrooms (2 twins and 1 double): R220 (R245) per person
Upstairs bedrooms (2 twins and 2 singles: R190 (R210) per person
Upstairs family room (sleeps 4 in two sets of twin beds): R160 (R180) per person
Facilities: big dining room / kitchen (seats 24), with wood and coal stove; sitting room/meeting room (seats 24) with fireplace and TV; 3 communal bathrooms (all downstairs). Mojaki Family Cottage
Sleeps 4 in 2 twin rooms: R190 (R210) per person
Facilities: small dining room /kitchen with fireplace; bathroom Mpojane Double room
Has its own adjacent toilet and washbasin, but shares the shower located in the bathroom next door: R190 (R210) per person
Facilities: stove and cooking utensils provided on request, otherwise guests can use the kitchen in the main house. Mpojane Singles
2 single rooms; share the bathroom next door with Mpojane Double: R160 (R180) per person NB. Guests can each have their own room when the houses are not full, thus the double rooms or the twins can be occupied by a single person at no extra cost whenever possible. Special discounted price for genuine backpackers (using public transport): R120 (R135) per person, whatever the room Camping
R60 (R70) per person Meals
R42 (R50) for breakfast (“continental” style); R75 (R85) for lunch
R88 (R100) for dinner Village sleepover (hiking or horse-riding, minimum 2 people): R250 (R275) per hiker or R600 (R660) per rider, incl. one night’s accommodation (DBB) and packed lunch.
Plus R300 (R330) per pack horse (for luggage, optional).
Guide’s services included in all cases. Horse riding: For two riders or more: R90 (R100) per person per hour, R250 (R275) per half-day and R350 (R385) per day
For one rider only: R120 (R135) per hour, R350 (R385) per half-day and R450 (R495) per day.
Guide’s services included in all cases. | 
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