Document checklist for Lesotho 

• Visa
• Valid passports: Required at the time of entrance, with a recommended remaining validity of three months
• A yellow fever certificate while leaving or entering a nation where the disease is endemic.
• Sufficient resources
• Return ticket
• Proof of accommodation

Essential Lesotho travel information

Currency – The Lesotho Kingdom uses the Loti (LSL) as its official currency. US$0.0543 is equal to 1 Lesotho Loti. ·

Daily budget for one person – LSL1,153 ($63)

Language – The native and most generally used language in Lesotho is English and Sotho, which is also one of the nation’s two official languages.

Top 3 cities to visit – Maseru, Mokhotlong, and Berea

Top 3 landmarks/monuments – Royal Archives & Museum, Katse Botanical Garden, and Ha Kome Cave Houses

Socket type – One connector, type M, is designated for Lesotho. A 220V supply voltage and a 50Hz frequency are used in Lesotho.

Time zone – (GMT +2)

Visa information for Lesotho

Unless they are a citizen of one of the nations that qualify for visa exemption, international nationals who desire to enter Lesotho must get a visa.

Typical costs and budget for Lesotho

Daily spending – LSL1,153 ($63)

Meals – LSL521 ($29)

Transport – LSL183 ($10.00)

Hotel – LSL821 ($45)

Transport and best ways to travel around Lesotho

In the capital of Lesotho, there are a couple of privately operated taxi services, but a shared minibus is equally as convenient. The same thing is true for cross-country travel; while basic full-sized buses exist, they are far slower and offer a little more luxury beyond the common minibusses.

It is possible to hire a car at the airport and in the city, and many tourists choose to enjoy the independence of self-driving. However, drivers should be aware that, away from the major thoroughfare, the mountain roads rapidly deteriorate in direct proportion to the quantity of roaming animals and humans. Therefore, the only protection is to remain vigilant and drive slowly because local driving customs could be more accurate.

Lesotho does not have a railroad system, and the full-sized buses run by Lesotho Freight and Bus Services need to be more active, faster, and crammed with passengers, yet incredibly affordable. Minibus taxis are the only public transportation available for getting around towns; they are once more crammed, extremely cheap, and sometimes deteriorating. While self-driving has drawbacks, it is frequently regarded as the most practical mode of transportation.

Safety in Lesotho

Foreigners are commonly the target of thieves in downtown Maseru. Never drive at night in rural regions, and avoid going for a solo stroll in lonely locations at night. Keep doors locked, windows closed, and belongings away from view when driving in metropolitan areas, notably Maseru. Avoid picking up strangers and park in well-lit places. Be cautious while approaching major border crossings, incredibly late at night. Armed carjacking has occurred in several instances. Offer no resistance if you are a part of such an incident.

Take safety measures to protect money and possessions. If possible, leave them in hotel safes. Passport copies and other vital documents should be kept in a separate location.

There may be an increase in crime, particularly property crimes, in the weeks preceding the Christmas and Easter vacations. At this time, you should be extra careful and vigilant.

Weather in Lesotho

A moderate climate characterizes mountainous Lesotho. The northern hemisphere seasons have winter and summer at opposing periods. Summer thunderstorms are frequent from October to March, although winter months (April to September) are often dry. Nevertheless, there are significant seasonal variations.

Famous cities and towns in Lesotho

Maseru: The nation’s capital is located in Maseru. With a 4 279 km2 size, this city has the most significant urban area in the country. The Roman Catholic Church has left a rich history in the town of Roma in the surrounding region. It also serves as home to Lesotho’s National University. A long time ago, criminals hid in the secluded city of Semonkong. The stunning Maletsunyane Falls, the tallest single-drop waterfall in Southern Africa, are located here.

Berea: The overall population of Berea is somewhere about 300,000. Berea is one of Lesotho’s northern regions and has a size of around 2 222 km2. The vibrant commercial district of Teya-Teyaneng’s metropolis, where there are several local craft shops, is well recognized. The San people left some traces of their presence in a handful of the nearby caves around this well-known Lesotho tourist destination.

Mafeteng: The capital city of Mafeteng has a long and rich history. The name of this most significant city in Lesotho, which translates to “Lefeta’s Place,” alludes to a well-liked magistrate who served in this region. In addition, the region’s trading core is located in this bustling metropolis.

Must do and see in Lesotho

Learn more about the Ha Kome Caves: The Ha Kome Caves are a fascinating settlement of cave houses tucked behind imposing cliffs, making visiting it to be necessary.

Driving along the stunning highways that meander through the nation’s magnificent mountain ranges is one of the most incredible things to do in Lesotho.

Visit Lesotho and take a beautiful Pony Trek tour: One of the most popular hobbies in the nation is horseback riding on the legendary Basuto pony.

Typical Lesotho food to try

Roasted maize: One of the most popular snacks is roasted maize. The green corn cobs are cooked with hot ashes by laying them close to the open fire in the highlands, where people often use an open fire for cooking and heating themselves.

Moroho: Moroho is a dish with leafy greens like rapeseed, spinach, and others. In addition to plants like stinging nettle, other weeds like white geese are also used to make Moroho.

Papa: In Lesotho, papa is an essential cuisine consumed in practically every home. The maize used in the highlands is carried to a nearby mill to be ground into maize meal or mealie meal; this product tends to be different in color and flavor from that used in the lowlands, which is more refined and is purchased from a shop.

Fun facts about Lesotho

1. Basutoland was the previous name for Lesotho.
2. One of the world’s most hazardous mountain crossings is the Sani Pass in Lesotho.
3. The name Lesotho means “Land of the Sesotho Speakers.”
4. Lesotho is home to one of the world’s most scary runways. The Matekane Air Strip has a runway that reaches the brink of a 600 m (1,968 ft) cliff and is located at a high height.