Thousands of skiing enthusiasts are visiting the Afriski resort on Maluti Mountain in Lesotho during the current winter season [2].
As the only ski resort in sub-Saharan Africa, the destination provides a rare opportunity for regional tourists to experience snow sports without leaving the continent. This attraction creates a unique seasonal economic driver for the mountainous region of Lesotho.
The resort sees a significant influx of visitors between June and August. Approximately 70% of these guests travel from neighboring South Africa [1], while the remaining visitors arrive from other countries within the region [2].
Visitors are drawn to the novelty of the snowy mountain setting. The high altitude of Maluti Mountain allows for consistent winter conditions that support skiing and snowboarding, activities typically associated with the Northern Hemisphere or the far south of the continent.
The scale of the operation is evident in the volume of traffic. Thousands of people arrive each winter [2] to utilize the slopes and facilities provided by Afriski. This steady stream of tourism highlights the growing interest in niche adventure travel within the southern African region.
“Thousands of people flock to the resort each winter”
The popularity of Afriski demonstrates a growing market for adventure tourism in Lesotho and a reliance on South African cross-border travel to sustain high-altitude leisure industries in the region.
