We are excited to share that our short film ‘There is Power in our Mountains’ has won the Gold Award for best Tourism Video under the category Tourism Product – Adventure Tourism at the 5th Edition of the International Tourism Film Festival Africa (ITFFA) on Friday, 5th May 2023.
The competition was fierce, with 378 entries from 59 countries around the world. This is a significant achievement for us, and we are proud to showcase our beautiful country of Lesotho on a global stage.
‘We would like to express our gratitude to Love Africa Marketing and their team for producing this incredible film. It shows the exciting trekking adventures we organise together with our local community. This allows us to grow and develop our brand which believes in empowering individuals within our local community, using our environment and its conservation as the focal point of all our activities, creating a long-term sustainable income through tourism for as many people as possible.’ – Jonathan & Armelle Halse, Owners of Semonkong Lodge
Jonathan Halse – owner of Semonkong Lodge, Nicola Gerrard – Managing Director of Love Africa Marketing, Zaida Enver – Pure Grit, Armelle Halse – owner of Semonkong Lodge.
‘There is Power in our Mountains’ is a short film that captures the essence of Lesotho’s unique overnight trekking adventure offered by our team at Semonkong Lodge. Our film features local guides and packhorse teams that provide an immersive experience of mountain life and Basotho culture. We believe that this film perfectly showcases the stunning beauty and cultural richness of our country to an international audience.
Watch the movie here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N0Kqu168IPQ
We would like to express our sincere thanks to the International Tourism Film Festival Africa (ITFFA) for recognising our efforts and for providing us with this platform to showcase our work to the world. We are confident that this recognition will encourage more people to visit our beautiful country and experience the adventure that Lesotho has to offer. Thank you for your continued support, and we look forward to welcoming you to Semonkong Lodge soon.
Find out more about pony trekking in Lesotho https://www.semonkonglodge.com/day-pony-treks/
View more images https://web.facebook.com/semonkonglodge.placeofsmoke/photos/pcb.2348072755373865/2348062375374903
Film production: Love Africa Marketing
Photos: Casey Pratt, Love Africa Marketing
Contact us Email: info@semonkonglodge.com
‘There is Power in our Mountains’- introducing a new short film showcasing Lesotho
Semonkong Lodge, situated in the heart of Lesotho, has just released a new short film showcasing the country and the endless mountain adventures right on its doorstep.
Most famous for operating the World Record Abseil alongside the Maletsunyane Falls, Semonkong Lodge has highlighted a different adventure in this production. It introduces a tailored overnight trek featuring local guides and packhorse teams for an immersive experience into mountain life and Basotho culture.
Lesotho, ‘The Mountain Kingdom,’ is a hidden gem abundant with warm and friendly people, wild landscapes, vertical cliffs and meandering rivers. Fortuitously, some of these remote areas are accessible to exploration by the use of established shepherds’ trails crisscrossing the landscape.
This unique trekking experience leaves visitors with an understanding of a culture untainted by modern norms and a deep appreciation for a simpler way of life.
“You have to treat the mountains with respect, and that is why I use local guides and stay in local communities because the people are so connected to surviving and living in the mountains. There is power in these landscapes and these adventures reconnect you with nature and what is important.” – Jonathan Halse, Owner of Semonkong Lodge.
Built in the fifties, and established as Semonkong Lodge in the early nineties, it has worked in close partnership with local communities to improve tourism and economic development in the area. The hiring of guides, horses, and donkeys and the purchase of local produce are just a few of the many collaborations with Semonkong. Whether on foot or on the back of an iconic Basotho pony you will find freedom in the Kingdom in the Sky with Semonkong Lodge.
Mountain Expeditions:
- Each trek begins and ends with a night at the lodge with the option of spending one or two nights under the stars in the remote landscapes around Semonkong.
- On the departure day from the lodge, you will hike or ride for approximately 5 – 6 hours, through the mountains and open valleys crossing streams and rivers.
- The overnight rides can be a little bumpy but by the end, the bond between you and your trusted Basotho pony is strong.
- The accommodation can be in Basotho villages in rondavel huts or tented camps along river
- Each expedition can be tailored to your fly fishing, hiking or pony trekking interests and needs.
- For all the information on the treks, visit here: https://www.semonkonglodge.com/day-pony-treks/
FINALIST: Our short film ‘There is Power in our Mountains’ produced by
Love Africa Marketing, has now been listed as a finalist in the international competition for the Japan World Tourism Film Festival.
We look forward to the awards ceremony in March.
ENDS
Booking information: info@semonkonglodge.com
Film credit: Love Africa Marketing
Image credit: Casey Pratt, Love Africa Marketing
By Casey Pratt, professional photographer – Love Africa Marketing
I’ve been told that the Guinness World Record Abseil off the Maletsunyane falls in Lesotho is a once in a lifetime experience, so we decided to put this theory to the test.
As the latest members to join the team, myself and Janelle were up for the challenge on Love Africa Marketing’s recent return to Semonkong Lodge. And now that I have done it, I couldn’t agree more.
The abseil experience is split into two parts and is done over two days. The training tends to eliminate the less adventurous and for those keen to follow through, definitely helps with that extra bit of confidence needed.
Our day started with coffee delivered to our doors at 6.30 am. As we enjoyed our morning cuppa we watched the valley turn golden and listened to the sheep bells, hooves clopping and birds calling as Semonkong woke up.
The Training
At 7 am, with nervous laughs and anticipation, we made our way to the training area situated near the lodge. The guides’ friendly smiles welcomed us as they began unraveling the ropes, preparing for training on top of the 25m high ledge. A little peep over the edge revealed the Maletsunyane river below and a perfect pool where the locals bring their Basotho ponies to drink.
As we were harnessed up we “learnt the ropes” before being rappelled down the side of the basalt cliff. The 25m drop is a little intimidating but short enough to get you excited, and long enough to gain confidence in your ability to manage the main abseil. Two smooth sailing runs off the more subdued cliff and we were told we’d passed and were ready for the main event!
Training cliff adjacent to the lodge.
The World Record Abseil.
The next day, after a quick breakfast for those of us who felt we could eat, we piled into the lodge’s trusty Land Cruiser for the 30 min road trip to the iconic Maletsunyane Falls.
Our amazing abseiling guides. From left to right, Jape, Benedict, Steve and Fusi.
A Basotho pony helped us trek the heavy abseiling gear to the edge of the waterfall. Before we headed to the abseil point, our guide led us to a viewpoint of the falls and the reality of what we were about to do set in. 204m is a LONG way down!
Once we reached the launch point, the butterflies arrived in my stomach with a vengeance as I tried to capture everyone going over the falls. I wasn’t quite brave enough to really get as close to the edge as I wanted. Holding your camera over the edge of a cliff is a lot scarier than I thought it would be. I managed to get a few shots before it was my turn to take the plunge.
To see Myself and Janelle in action click here
All strapped in, my heart was pounding as I shuffled backwards, stepping over the ropes and prepared to go down the world’s longest commercially operated abseil. As I stood on top of the ledge I was convincing myself to concentrate on the beauty of the experience and not on all the things that could go wrong. I am on the edge of the 204m drop!
But not once did I feel like I wasn’t safe and secure – the guides were incredible and operated the equipment with smooth and efficient execution.
I was surprised at how much I had to force my weight down the rope to get moving. I was holding on to the ropes for dear life, more because my mind was telling me that’s what I should be doing, and less because I felt I had to.
The initial drop over the edge is a 15m free fall. As I hung in mid air, I started spinning around, and even though I wasn’t sure if I wanted to be looking around, I was at the mercy of the rope which gave me little choice but to take in the majestic 360 view of the gorge. The views were phenomenal. I entered the second half of the descent and received a welcome spray from the falls and was silently grateful that it wasn’t in full flow.
Watch me step over the edge here
Finally, after 10 minutes of non-stop adrenaline, I reached the bottom – heart racing and lost for words. As Jape, an abseil guide, guided me to solid ground my legs were still shaky. I looked up at the spray from the falls which created a mist along the dark cliffs and was mesmerized – at that point it was clear where the name ‘Place of Smoke’ comes from.
We sat and watched the final guest come down; disappearing and reappearing through the mist of the falls. None of us could quite put our experience into words just yet so we sat quietly taking in the views.
Then there was the trek back out of the gorge to tackle. The hike back is not for the faint-hearted, and the day was unusually hot for Semonkong. Our guides were once again amazing. They had water and Powerade on hand whilst encouraging us as we walked and took much needed breaks in pockets of shade.
Finally, we reached the top of the cliff and couldn’t wait to get back to the lodge for a well earned G&T and to recount the feelings and emotions of the day.
Kea leboha Semonkong Lodge.
I cannot recommend this experience enough and am so happy that I was brave enough to attempt it.
Now it’s your turn… I dare you!
Notes:
Love Africa Marketing is a marketing consulting business and has been managing the digital media marketing for Semonkong Lodge for over 6 years.
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