The agreement is effective 1 July 2007.

The Orion Mohale Lodge is a 69-room resort, situated 102 kilometres from Maseru in the Maluti Mountains near Mohlale Dam.  The resort’s facilities include a main restaurant, a bar, a pool braai area, two squash courts, two tennis courts, an indoor volleyball court, three conference rooms and multiple breakaway rooms. 

The 40-room Orion Katse Lodge, also in the central highlands, is next to the Katse Dam and is 216 kilometres from Maseru.  It offers a main restaurant, a lodge bar, a pool braai area, two squash courts, two tennis courts, a swimming pool, two conference rooms and breakaway rooms.

The resorts feature good access roads and magnificent landscapes. A wide range of activities include pony trekking, fishing, 4 x 4 trails, mountain biking, water sports, local arts and crafts and dam tours.  The lodges are ideal destinations for families, nature lovers and those wanting a break from the stresses of city life in a safe, pristine and spectacular environment.

“The agreement will increase our footprint in southern Africa,” said CEO Franz Gmeiner.  It represents a major commitment to Lesotho and we are very proud to be represented in the country.  We hope to uplift tourism in the area and provide jobs to local residents.

"The resorts are situated in unique and spectacular locations.  The Katse Lodge has proved very popular with adventure tourists and the Mohale Lodge has excellent conference rooms that are sought after by government, NGOs and local business.  Over the next 12 months, both lodges will be upgraded to Orion standards; this will include computerised front office systems and team coaching for the management teams.

“These are exciting times for the Group as we develop our growth expansion plans.  We will continue to source out niche and exciting destinations to increase our presence both locally and internationally.  The growth that our brand has experienced since the inception of Orion Hotels & Resorts in 1999 is indicative of the momentum of our organization.  Our footprint continues to expand as we move into new markets to serve a wider range of guests."

Known as the ‘Kingdom in the Sky’ Lesotho is a small mountain nation landlocked within the boundaries of South Africa.  Its entire surface area is 30 355km2 and with a minimum national elevation of 1 380 metres above sea level, the country holds the record for the world's highest minimum elevation.

The pristine and unspoilt mountains, plateaus and highlands and the clean air have ensured that Lesotho’s ecology has remained undisturbed by human development.  Due to the high altitudes, there are very few insects and no mosquitoes.  Exciting and sometimes unique alpine flora abound and the endemic animal species are often rare and very specialised to their mountain habitats.  Bird life is prolific and frequently unique.

Orion’s relationship with local stakeholder LHWA, as well as their appreciation of and respect for the environment and local culture in Lesotho will ensure the continued success of these two lodges in the highest country in the world.