PRESS KIT: ROOF OF AFRICA 2025: “WHERE CHAMPIONS CONQUER THE KINGDOM IN THE SKY”
1 BACKGROUND
Sporting events play a pivotal role in promoting destinations, stimulating tourism, and generating Revenue-generating opportunities. The Roof of Africa contributes to increased payments in accommodation, hospitality, fuel stations, retail outlets, and creates temporary employment opportunities particularly within the tourism and service industries.
The event has become a leading adventure magnetism in the region, attracting thousands of riders and supporters from SADC and beyond to compete on Lesotho’s challenging and paranomic mountain terrain. Every year, Lesotho welcomes a large influx of inbound visitors including athletes, technical crews, sponsors, supporters, friends, and families to witness this thrilling endurance spectacle.
The Lesotho Tourism Development Corporation (LTDC) rallies behind the event as it aligns with its mandate to increase tourism arrivals and position Lesotho as a premier adventure destination. Successful execution requires the coordinated efforts of key stakeholders, including the Department of Sports under the Ministry of Tourism, Sports, Arts and Culture and accommodation facilities.
The event constantly attracts high-level attention from the Royal Family, Government, and corporate fraternity. Prince Seeiso Bereng Seeiso serves as the life patron, while the Prime Minister is usually invited to officially open the race. Cabinet Ministers, members of the Diplomatic Corps, Development Partners, and senior officials usually attend.
The 2025 edition marks a historic milestone as the Grand Finale of the Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM) Hard Enduro World Championship, elevating Lesotho to the center stage of global motorsport.
This year’s race will introduce new routes, enhanced race formats, and a record number of international participants. The competition promises unparalleled intensity as riders from across 15 nations take on Lesotho’s rugged mountains. The following countries will participate in this year Roof of Africa; Australia, Belarus, Canada, China, Germany, Iceland, Kenya , Lesotho , Namibia , South Africa, Eswatini, Uganda ,United Kingdom , United States and Zimbabwe.
In recent years we have seen an increase in local participation and we have around 13 riders taking part and registered for the following categories; 6 Iron, 4 Bronze and 3 Silver. Also we have seen a keen interest in local Sponsorship which is really encouraging to see massive support to the tourney.
2 RACE FORMAT
The Roof of Africa features four competitive classes:
- Gold (most challenging)
- Silver
- Bronze
- Iron (entry-level)
The Iron Class caters to amateur riders and family groups, serving as a development platform for future competitors. This class is predominantly dominated by South African riders.
The race format and dates:
Day 1: Wednesday 19th November
Mass Parade 14:00 Maseru City
Day 2: Time Trial Thursday 20th November, 2025
06:00 Start/Finish Ha Lebamang
Days 3 & 4: Friday 21st -22nd –Saturday, November, 2025
06:00 Start/Finish Ha Lebamang
Mountain stages covering 90–180 km per day through Lesotho’s foothills and the Maloti ranges
Time Trial (determines starting positions)
Riders must carefully consider:
- Fitness
- Mental stamina
- Technical riding ability
- Experience
- Ability to endure extreme conditions
This choice can determine whether a rider finishes successfully or records or Did Not Finish (DNF).
3 COMPETITOR REQUIREMENTS
The Roof of Africa is sanctioned by Motorsport South Africa (MSA). All participants must hold a valid MSA Cross Country Motorcycle or Enduro Licence (club, regional, national, or one-event license). Only MSA licenses are accepted for entry.
4 HISTORY OF THE ROOF OF AFRICA
Founded in 1967 by engineer Bob Phillips, The first race commenced with only 20 participants, marking the humble beginnings of an event that now draws world-class competitors. Lesotho’s best result remains the 1992 Gold Category victory by Patrick Andrews, the only local champion to date. Several Basotho have achieved finishes in Silver and Bronze classes.
The Roof of Africa was incorporated into the World Extreme Enduro Championship (WXEC) in 2009, further positioning Lesotho as a premier destination on the international motorsport calendar improving international competitiveness and increasing participation. The event now attracts more than 400 registered competitors and continues to grow annually.
The Roof of Africa is recognized as:
- One of the world’s toughest off-road endurance races
- A flagship national sporting attraction
- A premier adventure tourism drawcard
5 ABOUT LESOTHO OFF-ROAD ASSOCIATION (LORA)
Established in 1969 and formally registered in 2007, the Lesotho Off-Road Association (LORA) is responsible for promoting off-road motorsport and staging events in Lesotho. LORA is the official custodian of the Roof of Africa.
Objectives
• Promote motorsport development
• Stage internationally recognized race events
Membership consists of Basotho riders, South Africans, and various international competitors.
Future Plans
LORA anticipates to introduce an Adventure Motorcycle Class to accommodate recreational riders and minimize route interference by informal participants. This will further promote Lesotho as an adventure-biking destination.
6 ABOUT FÉDÉRATION INTERNATIONALE DE MOTOCYCLISME (FIM)
The Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM), founded in 1904, is the world’s governing body for motorcycle sport. It oversees all forms of competitive motorcycling including road racing, off-road events, and freestyle motocross ensuring global standards of safety, fairness, and professionalism.
FIM’s involvement in Roof of Africa 2025 affirms the race’s global prestige, ensuring it meets the highest standards of international competition while reinforcing Lesotho’s position on the world motorsport map.
7 ABOUT LESOTHO TOURISM DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION (LTDC)
LTDC is a government agency mandated to:
- Market Lesotho as a tourism destination
- Promote domestic, regional, and international travel
- Attract tourism investment
Vision: To position Lesotho as Southern Africa’s must-visit mountain, cultural, adventure, and ecotourism destination.
8 ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT OF SPORTS
Mandate
- Promote sporting excellence and development in Lesotho
- Coordinate the activities of sports federations and associations
- Facilitate collaborative stakeholder efforts for major events
Sport plays a vital role in nation-building, social cohesion, and livelihood development. The Department of Sports ensures the successful execution of the Roof of Africa through logistical coordination and stakeholder engagement.
9 TOURISM & ECONOMIC IMPACT
- Drives high seasonal visitor numbers
- Increases occupancy rates in accommodation establishments
- Stimulates local enterprise development
- Promotes Lesotho’s profile through extensive media coverage
- Fosters youth participation in adventure sports
10 Social Responsibility Program One Life- One Smile
Monday 24th – Wednesday 26th November, 2025
Free dental care and teeth hygiene education will be offered to the following villagers; Ha Lebamang, Matsieng and Setibing.
11 ACTIVITIES AT THE EVENT
• Pony trekking at Ha Lebamang
• Visitors can enjoy spectacular scenery around Thabana Li ’Mele (Mountains resembling 2 breasts)
12 PRIZE GIVING
Prize giving in different categories, Gold, Silver, Bronze and Iron will be presided by His Majesty the king at Avani Lesotho on the 22nd November, 2025 at around 17.00 hrs. at Ramabanta Lodge.
13 STRATEGIC PARTNERS / SPONSORSHIPS
• LTDC
• LNDC
• ZMG ISUZU-Lesotho
- First National Bank
- Beta Motors
- Avani Hotels & Resorts
- Plews Tyres
- X Co Group
- Supermoist
- LZRD Enduro
- NPL
- Motul
- Naledi Outdoor Advertising
- Sox Footwear
- B
14 CONTACTS FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
LORA contact name: Mr. Bereng Ntaote
Phone number: 6207 0394
Email: [email protected]
LTDC contact name: Mr. Molapo Matela
Phone number: 22312238
Email: [email protected]
