Lonely Planet names Lesotho one of the Top 10 best value destinations 2012

According to Lonely Planet's "Best in Travel 2012", Lesotho in Southern Africa is one of the Top 10 best value destinations for 2012.

#5 Lesotho
Mountains, cannibal caves, dinosaur footprints, crafts markets – and you get around by pony. Welcome to Lesotho, the ‘kingdom of the sky’. Completely enveloped by South Africa, it’s a cheaper proposition than its powerful neighbour, with pony treks its main tourist drawcard. The best deals are to the west at off-the-beaten-track Malealea, about 60km southeast of the capital Masuru, where multiday treks lead into a massive mountain range and landscape coloured musk and orange. It’s extraordinary – and cheaper than pony treks in the east. Overnight trips, including a pony, food and a guide, begin at US$50 per day.
Malealea Lodge is a century-old trading post transformed into a well-run lodge with pony treks and good meals.

Top 10 best value destinations for 2012 are:

1. Northeastern USA
2. Japan
3. Tajikistan
4. Porto, Portugal
5. Lesotho
6. Iquitos, Peru
7. San Francisco, USA
8. Ohrid, Macedonia
9. Mekong Delta, Vietnam
10. Mérida, Mexico

Lonely Planet names Uganda the #1 tourism destination to visit in 2012

update (08 Nov 2011): Northern Kenya has been named the 3rd top region in Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel: top 10 regions for 2012. The category was won by Coastal Wales, followed by La Ruta Maya in  Central America.

Uganda in East Africa has been named the number one tourism destination to visit in 2012 by Lonely Planet's inhouse travel experts, based on topicality, excitement, value and that special X-factor.
Uganda was voted #1 because:

• the country is home to the source of the river Nile
• it is where savannah meets the vast lakes of East Africa
• it is where snow-capped mountains bear down on sprawling jungles
• 2012 the country celebrates the 50th anniversary of its independence
• Kampala is one of Africa’s safest capital cities
• and various more reason to be discovered by travellers visiting Uganda!

Lonely Planet wouldn't be Lonely Planet without mentioning the political and human rights problems Uganda is facing. Good one on you, LP!
Uganda emerged number one out of 10 other countries surveyed, followed by Myanmar (Burma), Ukraine, Denmark, Bhutan, Cuba, New Caledonia, Taiwan and Switzerland.

Lonely Planet's Best in Travel 2012 is published annually and presents the best places to go and things to do all around the world right now! Drawing on the knowledge, passion and miles travelled by Lonely Planet’s staff, authors and online community, they present a year’s worth of travel inspiration to take you out of the ordinary and into some unforgettable experiences.

• Lonely Planet ranks the top 10 countries, regions and cities to visit in 2012.
• The best travel experiences for the year ahead, from feeling the football fever in Ukraine to awaiting the Apocalypse on the Ruta Maya.
• Over 35 events mapped out month by month in the 2012 travel planner.

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