Lesotho Country Guide
A holiday in Lesotho introduces visitors to an African country largely unaffected by tourism, and filled with tremendous appeal. Its rugged, mountainous ranges provide unlimited entertainment to both the thrill-seeking adventure types and those who prefer life's quieter side.
The capital Maseru is an eclectic mix of modern and traditional lifestyles. The mountainous kingdom of Lesotho will enchant you forever!
Our Lesotho Country Guide is full of handy information to plan for and use throughout your Lesotho holiday. For some details on the exciting things to see and do in Lesotho, check out our Lesotho Destination Guide and our local Lesotho tour ideas. Let us guide you through Lesotho with our local suggestions.
Check out the latest Lesotho Travel videos and features on YouTube.
Lesotho Country Guide
Useful information on this page includes:
Communication
Telephone
IDD is available to some cities. Country code: 266 (no area codes). There is a limited internal telephone network.
Mobile Telephone
Roaming agreements exist with a few international mobile phone companies. Coverage is limited to main urban areas.
Internet
There are Internet cafes in Maseru and some other major towns.
Media
The government operates a range of media. South African radio and TV stations can also be received.
Press: Makatolle, MoAfrica and Mohlanka are weekly publications; The Mirror is published in English.
- TV: Lesotho Television is state-run.
- Radio: Radio Lesotho is state-run and MoAfrika FM is private. Other stations include People's Choice FM, Joy Radio FM and Catholic Radio FM.
Post
Post office hours: Mon-Fri 0800-1300 and 1400-1630, Sat 0800-1200
Climate/Weather
Summers in Lesotho bring rains with severe thunderstorms and winters bring snowfalls every now and then. In the high mountains, frost and snow are quite common and may occur anytime. The winter months of May-September touch temperatures below zero. Central heating is not very common, even in places like Maseru, so do carry your woollens if you visit during these months.
Click on this weather link to view the current Lesotho weather conditions.
Average costs
Travelling in Lesotho can be somewhat expensive; almost as expensive as travelling in South Africa. Transportation and meals can be somewhat cheaper, but accommodation can be slightly more expensive, especially in Maseru, Lesotho's capital.
Here is a guide to average costs you can expect to pay:
- Buses can cost between US$0.50 and US$4.00 per trip
- Small car hire is around US$40.00 per day
- Accommodation ranges from US$5-15 budget, US$15-40 mid-range and US$40-75 top-end
- Meals range from US$0.60-3 for budget, US$3-6 for mid-range and US$6-10 for top-end.
Backpackers generally spend between US$20.00 and US$30.00 per day, though it is possible to spend up to US$140.00/day if you choose to stay in the top hotels, dine in the best restaurants and drive hire cars.
Currency/Money
The currency used in Lesotho is the Loti (LSL). In plural Loti is known as Maloti. This currency can be exchanged for the ZAR or the South African Rand at a 1:1 ratio. It would be better to carry South African currency as everybody takes it willingly. Do check your change when you make payments. Maloti are given unless otherwise specified. And it will be a bit tough to offload Maloti in South Africa.
Do remember to finish your bank transactions in towns as most banks in towns have ATMs. Travellers' cheques can be changed easily as long as they are in ZAR. Other currencies take time. Your credit cards can be used in large hotels and maybe a few shopping centres like Shoprite. You may use your cash card at a few Maseru cash machines at Standard Bank or FNB. Plenty of pre planning is needed to access cash when you are in South Africa, so do be prepared accordingly.
Currency
Loti (LSL) = 100 lisente. Notes are in denominations of LSL200, 100, 50, 20 and 10. Coins are in denominations of 500, 200, 100, 50, 25, 10, 5, 2 and 1 lisente. The plural of ‘loti' is ‘maloti' and the singular of ‘lisente' is ‘sente'.
To view the current exchange rate in Lesotho, click on this link to OANDA.com - The Currency Site.
Credit/Debit Cards and ATM's
Limited acceptance of Diners Club, MasterCard and Visa.
Travellers Cheque Advice
These are widely accepted. To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travellers are advised to take traveller's cheques in US Dollars or Pounds Sterling.
Currency Restrictions
The import and export of local and foreign currency is unrestricted.
Banking Hours
Mon-Tues and Thurs-Fri 0830-1530, Wed 0830-1300, Sat 0830-1100.
Electricity
Lesotho runs off a 220V; 50Hz system. The three-prong, round pin South African plug is used.
Embassy Locations
To view a list of Lesotho embassies around the world, as well as foreign embassies within Lesotho, click on this link to EmbassyWorld.com.
General Information
Population - 2.1 million people
Total Area - 30,355 square kilometres
Capital - Maseru
Time Zone - Standard time zone: UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
To view the current time in Lesotho, click on this link to TimeAndDate.com.
Language
The official language in Lesotho is English and the national language is SeSotho (pronounced se-SOO-too). SeSotho is a Bantu langauge commonly known as South Sotho. Most people in the capital of Maseru will speak english reasonably well, and some in Maseru know a little Afrikaans aswell. In the highlands neither English or Afrikaans will be understood.
Some common phrases in SoSotho (written phonetically) that may come in handy for travellers include:
- Dumella N-datay - Hello Sir
- Dumella M-may - Hello Madam
- Ooo pella jwong? - How are you?
- Ke pella hantlay - I am well
- Ooo tswa ki (rhymes with high)? - Where are you from?
- Ooo aah ki? - Where are you going to?
- Kee ah-lay-bo-ha - Thank you
- Salla Hantlay - Goodbye (if you're leaving)
- Tsamaya Hantlay - Goodbye (if they're leaving)
Written SeSotho uses English letters, though combinations of letters can be pronounced differently than they would in English. eg. Li is pronouced 'dee' and Lu is pronounced 'doo'.
Public Holidays
Follow the link to view a current list of public holidays in Lesotho.
Religion
The main religion in Lesotho is Christianity, with the main demomination being Roman Catholic. Other denomincations include Presbyterian, Anglican and Lesotho Evangelical. A small representation of traditionally based worship and Islam can also be seen.
Visas/Passports
Nationals of the EC (European Community), America, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand, require only their passport and may remain for a period of 14 days without a visa.
Note: Passport and visa requirements are liable to change at short notice. Travellers are advised to check their entry requirements with their embassy or consulate.
ENTRY VISAS INTO LESOTHO
The Department of Immigration and Passport Services of the Ministry of Home Affairs has announced that citizens of the following countries do not need entry visas into Lesotho. This is per Circular No. 8 of 1993 and Circular No. 7 of 1996. Government Secretary's Savingram No. CAB/DEC of 1997 also refers.
COUNTRIES WHOSE CITIZENS DO NOT NEED ENTRY VISA INTO
LESOTHO
1. Australia 12. Japan
2. Belgium 13. The Netherlands
3. Denmark 14. Norway
4. Finland 15. Portugal
5. France 16. San Marino
6. Germany 17. South Africa
7. Iceland 18. South Korea
8. Greece 19. Spain
9. Ireland 20. Sweden
10. Israel 21. Switzerland
11. Italy 22. United States of America
COMMONWEALTH COUNTRIES THAT DO NEED ENTRY VISAS INTO
LESOTHO
1. INDIA
2. GHANA
3. NIGERIA
4. PAKISTAN
5. DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO
COUNTRIES WHOSE CITIZENS ‘DO NOT' REQUIRE ‘VISA' TO ENTER
LESOTHO
1. AUSTRIA 8. ITALY
2. AUSTRALIA 9. NETHERLANDS
3. BELGIUM 10. NEW ZEALAND
4. CANADA 11. PORTUGAL
5. FRANCE 12. SPAIN
6. GERMANY 13. SWITZERLAND
7. ICELAND 14. U.S.A.
COUNTRIES THAT HAVE VISA ABOLITION
AGREEMENT WITH LESOTHO
1. FINLAND 6. JAPAN
2. HONG KONG 7. NORWAY
3. ICELAND 8. SAN MARINO
4. IRLAND 9. SOUTH KOREA
5. ISRAEL 10. SWEDEN
VISA RESTRICTIONS IN RESPECT OF THE FOLLOWING COUNTRIES
IS REMOVED
1. AUSTRIA 6. CANADA
2. AUSTRALIA 7. NEW ZEALAND
3. BELGIUM 8. U. S. A.
4. PORTUGAL 9. REPUBLIC OF AUSTRICHE
5. SPAIN 10. EUROPEAN COMMUNITY
COMMONWEALTH COUNTRIES
1. ANTIGUA AND BARSUDA 27. MOZAMBIQUE (VISA)
2. AUSTRALIA 28. NAMIBIA
3. THE BAHAMMAS 29. NAURU
4. BANGLADESH 30. NEW ZEALAND
5. BARBADOS 31. NIGERIA (VISA)
6. BELIZE 32. PAKISTAN (VISA)
7. BOTSWANA 33. PAPUA NEW GUINEA
8. BRITAIN (U. K.) 34. REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA
9. BRUNEI (DARUSSALAM) 35. ST. KITTS AND NEVIS
10. CANADA 36. ST. LUCIA
11. CYPRUS 37. ST. VINCENT AND GRENADINES
12. DOMINICA 38. SEYCHELLES
13. THE GAMBIA 39. SIERRA LEONE
14. GHANA - (VISA) 40. SINGAPORE
15. GRENADA 41. SOLOMON ISLAND
16. GUYANA 42. SRI LANKA
17. INDIA - (VISA) 43. SWAZILAND
18. JAMAICA 44. TANZANIA
19. KENYA 45. TONGA
20. KIRIBATI 46. TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO
21. LESOTHO 47. TUVALU
22. MALAWI 48. UGANDA
23. MALAYSIA 49. VANUATU
24. MALDIVES 50. WESTERN SAMOA
25. MALTA 51. ZAMBIA
26. MAURITIUS 52. ZIMBABWE
US citizens that need to renew, add pages, change name, or just get a new US passport, can Apply for a New US Passport here.Police Road Block
The speed limit on Lesotho's roads is 80km/h on the open road and 50km/h in a built up area ( This means an area with as little as 1 or 2 huts). The police can stop you at any time and ask for your drivers permit. They are also allowed to give you a spot speeding fine, just as for a receipt.
When you find a stop sign in the middle of the road (some times half a stop sign) Stop next to the sign and wait to be waved through by the officer in the road. Do not follow the car in front of you.
Generally the officers are very friendly as long as you treat them with respect and courteously.
Location
Lesotho, the tiny mountainous kingdom in the sky is completely enclosed by South Africa though separated by the huge mountain ranges of the Drakensberg and Maluti mountains. The Kingdom of Lesotho is located on a plateau over 1000m above sea level, with peaks reaching 3000m. To view a map of Lesotho, click on this link to WorldAtlas.com.
Geography
Lesotho is located in Southern Africa, elevated to a level of upwards of 1000m above sea level and surrounded entirely by South Africa. This mountainous kingdom is mostly made up of highland plateaus, mountains and hills.
History
The Sotho-Tswana people inhabited the now Free State in South Africa. They were basically a farming community who fled from their land when attacked by the Zulus and their land was taken over by the Voortrekkers. They took refuge in the Lesotho Mountains where different tribes came together and appointed a king. By 1824 King Moeshoeshoe was ruling from the mountain fortress of Thaba Bosiu.
1843 saw King Moeshoeshoe forming an alliance with the British Cape Colony government. This move was aimed at protecting the Basotho from the rapidly spreading Boer influence. However, continuous strife made Moeshoeshoe approach the imperial British government. As a result Basotholand attained the status of a protectorate of the British Empire in 1868. Later on the Union of South Africa came into being in 1910, but Lesotho was not included in the union, being under British protection. Thus Lesotho escaped the travails of apartheid in the 20th century.
October 4th, 1966 brought Lesotho independence from the British Empire. It was in pursuit of peace that the Kingdom of Lesotho came into being. The leaning towards peace can still be seen in the Basotho. The older generation of Basotho still harbour gratitude in their hearts for the British, for having saving them from the perils of apartheid.
Health
Lesotho is lacking in good medical facilities and thus medical attention is generally sought out in South Africa. It is advisable to carry a personal supply of medication as supplies are limited and come areas of Lesotho are quite remote. Lesotho has a Flying Doctor services that is able to provide emergency medical services to the more remote parts of the country. Medical insurance is essential. It is recommended that you include emergency air evacuation coverage, especially is you plan to visit the remote mountainous regions.
HIV/AIDS is prevalent across Lesotho. Visitors coming from an area infected by Yellow Fever are required to have a yellow fever certificate, and it is highly recommended that you also protect yourself against typhoid, hepatitis A and polio.
Be sure to check your vaccination requirements with a travel doctor before your trip.
