Lesotho vs Eswatini: The Differences & Which is Better to Visit?

Lesotho and Eswatini are two tiny countries with several similarities and contrasts. Lesotho, perched within the mountainous peaks of the Drakensberg, is known as the 'Kingdom in the Sky,' and boasts awe-inspiring highlands, rich Basotho culture, and thrilling outdoor adventures. On the other hand, Eswatini, a landlocked kingdom nestled within the rolling hills of the Lowveld, boasts vibrant traditions, markets, and game parks with abundant wildlife. This blog post looks to unpack the distinctive characteristics between these two unique African travel destinations, Lesotho and Eswatini.

A Quick Guide to Lesotho

Lesotho, spanning an area of 30,355 km² (11,720 mi²), is a landlocked country in southern Africa. It shares borders with the South African province of Kwa-Zulu Natal to the east, Cape Province to the south, and the Orange Free State to the west and north, totalling a boundary length of 909 kilometres (565 miles). The capital city is Maseru, and the country has a population of approximately 2,098,000 people. Lesotho is a constitutional monarchy, with King Letsie III reigning as the monarch. The nation's landscape is dominated by the magnificent Maloti Mountains, which serve as the backdrop for its thriving cattle-raising and agricultural industries. Notably, Lesotho's plateau acts as the source of South Africa's two largest rivers—the eastward-flowing Tugela and the westward-flowing Orange—as well as several tributaries of the Mohokare River.

A Quick Guide to Eswatini

The Kingdom of Eswatini is a landlocked country in southern Africa that covers an area of 17,364 km² or 6,704 mi². It shares borders with South Africa to the north, west, and south, and Mozambique to the east. The capital city is Mbabane, and the country has a population of approximately 1,113,276 people. Along its eastern border with Mozambique lies the Lebombo Mountains, forming a mountain ridge with an elevation of around 600 meters / 2,000 ft. Despite being one of the smallest countries in Africa, with dimensions of no more than 200 km or 120 mi north to south and 130 km or 81 miles east to west, eSwatini exhibits a diverse climate and topography. From the cool and mountainous highveld to the hot and dry lowveld, the country offers a range of landscapes. Eswatini is one of the world's last remaining absolute monarchies, with King Mswati III as the head of state.

Lesotho and Eswatini Head to Head

Head to head, Lesotho is roughly twice the size of Eswatini, with twice the population. The big difference between the two is the rugged wilderness feel that comes with high-altitude adventures in Lesotho, versus the comparatively diverse offerings of Eswatini. Let's compare Lesotho and Eswatini in terms of people and culture, national parks, and tourist attractions.

People & Culture

Lesotho and Eswatini, both nestled in the heart of southern Africa, boast rich cultural traditions that are brought to life by their warm and vibrant people. Lesotho embraces the vibrant Basotho culture, characterized by its distinctive music, dance, and colourful traditional attire. However, the Basotho have been heavily influenced by Western religion and systems of migrant labour. Visitors to Lesotho can experience traditional Basotho culture by visiting Thaba Bosiu, which is not only a national monument, and the birthplace of the Basotho people, but also an excellent tourist stop for anyone wanting to get to grips with Lesotho’s history and culture. For a more contemporary experience, the Morija Arts and Cultural Festival takes place towards the end of every year and boasts a 5-day celebration of theatre, poetry, dance, music, song, crafts, art exhibits, and everything in between.

The Kingdom of Eswatini, on the other hand, is inhabited by the Swati people, whose cultural pride and traditions run deep. The best place to see Eswatini's traditional culture is at the Mantenga Cultural Village located at the gates of the Mantenga Nature Reserve in the Ezulweni Valley. This replica 19th-century village has all sorts of activities from traditional architecture, and beer making to dances and singing. In terms of festivals, Eswatini’s cultural landscape is alive and kicking. The most famous festival is the Reed Dance, where Swati women present themselves to the Queen Mother and the King. Equally engaging are the Marula Festival and the Incwala or Harvest Festival. For a contemporary twist, the MTNBushfire Festival is one of southern Africa’s best and attracts visitors from around the world.

Lesotho vs Eswatini: Wildlife and Nature

Lesotho and Eswatini both offer astounding nature, but these offerings take different forms. Lesotho, the Kingdom in the Sky boasts rugged highlands and pristine valleys. This is a true wilderness, and perfect for those who like to venture where few have been before. Lesotho offers incredible Hiking, breathtaking beauty, and some rare animals that you will not find anywhere else, like bearded vultures, and ice rats. Lesotho’s top destinations are the Sehlabathebe National Park and Ts’ehlanyane National Park, which both offer exceptional beauty and high-altitude wilderness.

Eswatini has an array of wildlife destinations that, while not on the same level as the big parks like Kruger and Hluhluwe in South Africa, boast an intimacy and accessibility that is unique. Hlane Royal National Park, KaMasholo, Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary, and Mkhaya Game Reserve, all offer the opportunity to explore on foot, by mountain bike, on horseback, or on guided walks or game drives. What these parks lack in wilderness allure, they more than make up for with close encounters of the wild kind. The rhino experiences are particularly worthwhile, as guests can experience one of Africa’s megaherbivores at close quarters.

Lesotho vs Eswatini: Tourist Attractions

Lesotho and Eswatini offer different experiences and attractions. While Eswatini has big aspirations and has developed a thriving tourist circuit, Lesotho seems happy to remain undiscovered and undisturbed.

Lesotho is a hiker's paradise, and the towering peaks of the Maloti Mountains in Lesotho provide a stunning backdrop for adventurous activities like hiking, pony trekking, and even skiing during the winter months. The breathtaking Maletsunyane Falls, which is one of the highest single-drop waterfalls in Africa, as well as one of the highest commercial abseils in the world, is a must-visit natural wonder. Other Lesotho highlights include discovering well-preserved dinosaur tracks, exploring for San rock art, and visiting the adventure capital that is Semonkong, the Kome Cave Dwellings, and Thabana Ntlenyana – the highest mountain in southern Africa.

In Eswatini, visitors will be spoilt for choice. Starting with the striking Ezulwini Valley, known as the "Valley of Heaven," which is dotted with cultural delights, craft markets, and accommodation for every taste from glitzy hotels to rustic backpackers and boutique hotels, Eswatini has a lot to offer. Other highlights include Ngwenya Glass, Swazi Candles, Malandela’s in the Melkerns Valley, the highland district of Piggs Peak, impressive botanical gardens, canopy tours, caving, whitewater rafting, and visits to the historic Swazi Royal Palace of Sobhuza II.

Lesotho or Eswatini?

Choosing between these two landlocked southern African travel gems comes down to time and accessibility. For those with limited time, I would head to Eswatini which offers a great variety of activities and attractions in a compact and easy-to-manage destination that offers excellent value for money (see 5 Eswatini Travel Treasures: The Best of the Kingdom).

Lying between Johannesburg, Kruger, Hluhluwe, Isimangaliso, and Durban, it is easy to include Eswatini in a South African safari itinerary. In addition to this, Eswatini is now accessible with regular direct flights from Johannesburg, Durban, and Cape Town, making an exclusive detour to this tiny country a real possibility. As one would expect, accessing the Kingdom in the Sky takes a little more time. Without regular direct flights, Lesotho is best accessed by doing a self-drive or as part of an itinerary that travels between Durban, Gherberha, and Cape Town. Lesotho’s off-the-beaten-track allure naturally lends itself to a slower pace that can spend more time taking in the breathtaking scenery.

The great news is that you do not have to choose. For stamp collectors, visiting both Eswatini and Lesotho during a southern African safari is a popular option. Overland safari packages are designed to include destination highlights like Kruger, take in Eswatini’s attractions, and visit the KwaZulu-Natal National Parks before dipping your toes into Lesotho, and driving on to Addo, Gherberha, and the delights of the Garden Route, before arriving in Cape Town. Anything is possible, and African Budget Safaris specializes in bespoke safari itineraries that suit individual travel desires.

Start planning your trip to southern Africa today, and talk to one of our experienced travel consultants about visiting Eswatini, Lesotho, or both.

Andrew Hofmeyr Naturalist, Artist & Writer

On the outskirts of Marloth Nature Reserve, Andrew can be found walking and swimming in the beautiful Langeburg Mountains. He is passionate about animals, birds, reptiles, and plants and loves nothing more than an adventure in nature. An established artist with a master's in English literature, Andrew has traveled far and wide but South Africa still has his heart.