Encircled by South Africa, sitting 2,275 meters above sea level, Lesotho’s mountainous region of Semonkong is dotted with small villages which are cut off from the rest of the world. Inaccessible by car, without electricity or running water, the villagers rely on horses to make the journey to the main town of Semonkong, which can take up to 4 hours.
Accompanied by a local guide, Cape Town-based photographer Thom Pierce travelled to these mountains in May 2016 to capture the horsemen and herders of all ages en route to their destinations.
Perched atop horses and swathed in wool blankets and headgear against the cold and wind, the horsemen are majestic apparitions against a stunning mountainous backdrop. In reality, they are just normal people making their regular commute.
See the entire series on Pierce’s website, where you can also order prints. Follow him on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
All images © Thom Pierce