Leribe

Hlotse, widely known as Leribe, is a market town in northern Lesotho and the administrative centre of Leribe District. It sits on the Hlotse River in the country's lowlands, close to the South African border, and remains an important trading and transport hub for surrounding rural communities.

The town's history is closely tied to mission settlements and colonial administration. It was founded in 1876 by the British missionary Reverend John Widdicombe, while the name Leribe comes from the nearby French Protestant mission established by François Coillard in 1859. Landmarks such as the 1877 Anglican Church, a colonial-era statue, an old military lookout and the Gun Tower, a relic of the 1866 Gun War, still mark the town centre.

Visitors can explore the lively local market and the Leribe Craft Centre, known for handmade mohair and wool products produced by local women, including scarves and jackets. The statue in front of the District Administration office and the old military lookout offer a glimpse of the town's colonial past, while nearby villages and lowland landscapes provide a quieter, rural Lesotho experience.

Leribe District's economy combines agriculture and trade with a strong textile and apparel sector concentrated in the nearby industrial town of Maputsoe. The town therefore attracts business travellers linked to factories, suppliers and regional commerce, alongside visitors using Hlotse as a base for exploring northern Lesotho.

For travellers, Hlotse works as a practical gateway to northern Lesotho, with road connections toward the Ficksburg border crossing, Maputsoe and the capital Maseru. Its combination of market life, missionary-era heritage, craft shopping and proximity to the highlands makes it relevant for both short visits and business trips.