lesotho travel warning

You are using an outdated browser. Upgrade your browser today or install Google Chrome Frame to better experience this site.

Lesotho Traveler View

Travel health notices, vaccines and medicines, non-vaccine-preventable diseases, stay healthy and safe.

• Packing List

After Your Trip

There are no notices currently in effect for Lesotho.

⇧ Top

Check the vaccines and medicines list and visit your doctor at least a month before your trip to get vaccines or medicines you may need. If you or your doctor need help finding a location that provides certain vaccines or medicines, visit the Find a Clinic page.

Routine vaccines

Recommendations.

Make sure you are up-to-date on all routine vaccines before every trip. Some of these vaccines include

• Chickenpox (Varicella)
• Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis
• Flu (influenza)
• Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR)

Immunization schedules

All eligible travelers should be up to date with their COVID-19 vaccines. Please see  Your COVID-19 Vaccination  for more information. 

COVID-19 vaccine

Hepatitis A

Recommended for unvaccinated travelers one year old or older going to Lesotho.

Infants 6 to 11 months old should also be vaccinated against Hepatitis A. The dose does not count toward the routine 2-dose series.

Travelers allergic to a vaccine component or who are younger than 6 months should receive a single dose of immune globulin, which provides effective protection for up to 2 months depending on dosage given.

Unvaccinated travelers who are over 40 years old, immunocompromised, or have chronic medical conditions planning to depart to a risk area in less than 2 weeks should get the initial dose of vaccine and at the same appointment receive immune globulin.

Hepatitis A - CDC Yellow Book

Dosing info - Hep A

Hepatitis B

Recommended for unvaccinated travelers of all ages traveling to Lesotho.

Hepatitis B - CDC Yellow Book

Dosing info - Hep B

Cases of measles are on the rise worldwide. Travelers are at risk of measles if they have not been fully vaccinated at least two weeks prior to departure, or have not had measles in the past, and travel internationally to areas where measles is spreading.

All international travelers should be fully vaccinated against measles with the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine, including an early dose for infants 6–11 months, according to  CDC’s measles vaccination recommendations for international travel .

Measles (Rubeola) - CDC Yellow Book

Rabid dogs are commonly found in Lesotho. However, if you are bitten or scratched by a dog or other mammal while in Lesotho, rabies treatment is often available. 

Consider rabies vaccination before your trip if your activities mean you will be around dogs or wildlife.

Travelers more likely to encounter rabid animals include

• Campers, adventure travelers, or cave explorers (spelunkers)
• Veterinarians, animal handlers, field biologists, or laboratory workers handling animal specimens
• Visitors to rural areas

Since children are more likely to be bitten or scratched by a dog or other animals, consider rabies vaccination for children traveling to Lesotho. 

Rabies - CDC Yellow Book

Recommended for most travelers, especially those staying with friends or relatives or visiting smaller cities or rural areas.

Typhoid - CDC Yellow Book

Dosing info - Typhoid

• Avoid contaminated water

Leptospirosis

How most people get sick (most common modes of transmission)

• Touching urine or other body fluids from an animal infected with leptospirosis
• Swimming or wading in urine-contaminated fresh water, or contact with urine-contaminated mud
• Drinking water or eating food contaminated with animal urine
• Avoid contaminated water and soil

Clinical Guidance

Schistosomiasis

• Wading, swimming, bathing, or washing in contaminated freshwater streams, rivers, ponds, lakes, or untreated pools.

Avoid bug bites

African tick-bite fever.

• Avoid Bug Bites

African Tick-bite fever

Chikungunya

• Mosquito bite

Airborne & droplet

• Breathing in air or accidentally eating food contaminated with the urine, droppings, or saliva of infected rodents
• Bite from an infected rodent
• Less commonly, being around someone sick with hantavirus (only occurs with Andes virus)
• Avoid rodents and areas where they live
• Avoid sick people

Tuberculosis (TB)

• Breathe in TB bacteria that is in the air from an infected and contagious person coughing, speaking, or singing.

Learn actions you can take to stay healthy and safe on your trip. Vaccines cannot protect you from many diseases in Lesotho, so your behaviors are important.

Eat and drink safely

Food and water standards around the world vary based on the destination. Standards may also differ within a country and risk may change depending on activity type (e.g., hiking versus business trip). You can learn more about safe food and drink choices when traveling by accessing the resources below.

• Choose Safe Food and Drinks When Traveling
• Water Treatment Options When Hiking, Camping or Traveling
• Global Water, Sanitation and Hygiene | Healthy Water
• Avoid Contaminated Water During Travel

You can also visit the Department of State Country Information Pages for additional information about food and water safety.

Prevent bug bites

Bugs (like mosquitoes, ticks, and fleas) can spread a number of diseases in Lesotho. Many of these diseases cannot be prevented with a vaccine or medicine. You can reduce your risk by taking steps to prevent bug bites.

What can I do to prevent bug bites?

• Cover exposed skin by wearing long-sleeved shirts, long pants, and hats.
• Use an appropriate insect repellent (see below).
• Use permethrin-treated clothing and gear (such as boots, pants, socks, and tents). Do not use permethrin directly on skin.
• Stay and sleep in air-conditioned or screened rooms.
• Use a bed net if the area where you are sleeping is exposed to the outdoors.

What type of insect repellent should I use?

• FOR PROTECTION AGAINST TICKS AND MOSQUITOES: Use a repellent that contains 20% or more DEET for protection that lasts up to several hours.
• Picaridin (also known as KBR 3023, Bayrepel, and icaridin)
• Oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE) or para-menthane-diol (PMD)
• 2-undecanone
• Always use insect repellent as directed.

What should I do if I am bitten by bugs?

• Avoid scratching bug bites, and apply hydrocortisone cream or calamine lotion to reduce the itching.
• Check your entire body for ticks after outdoor activity. Be sure to remove ticks properly.

What can I do to avoid bed bugs?

Although bed bugs do not carry disease, they are an annoyance. See our information page about avoiding bug bites for some easy tips to avoid them. For more information on bed bugs, see Bed Bugs .

For more detailed information on avoiding bug bites, see Avoid Bug Bites .

Stay safe outdoors

If your travel plans in Lesotho include outdoor activities, take these steps to stay safe and healthy during your trip.

• Stay alert to changing weather conditions and adjust your plans if conditions become unsafe.
• Prepare for activities by wearing the right clothes and packing protective items, such as bug spray, sunscreen, and a basic first aid kit.
• Consider learning basic first aid and CPR before travel. Bring a travel health kit with items appropriate for your activities.
• If you are outside for many hours in heat, eat salty snacks and drink water to stay hydrated and replace salt lost through sweating.
• Protect yourself from UV radiation : use sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15, wear protective clothing, and seek shade during the hottest time of day (10 a.m.–4 p.m.).
• Be especially careful during summer months and at high elevation. Because sunlight reflects off snow, sand, and water, sun exposure may be increased during activities like skiing, swimming, and sailing.
• Very cold temperatures can be dangerous. Dress in layers and cover heads, hands, and feet properly if you are visiting a cold location.

Stay safe around water

• Swim only in designated swimming areas. Obey lifeguards and warning flags on beaches.
• Practice safe boating—follow all boating safety laws, do not drink alcohol if driving a boat, and always wear a life jacket.
• Do not dive into shallow water.
• Do not swim in freshwater in developing areas or where sanitation is poor.
• Avoid swallowing water when swimming. Untreated water can carry germs that make you sick.
• To prevent infections, wear shoes on beaches where there may be animal waste.

Keep away from animals

Most animals avoid people, but they may attack if they feel threatened, are protecting their young or territory, or if they are injured or ill. Animal bites and scratches can lead to serious diseases such as rabies.

Follow these tips to protect yourself:

• Do not touch or feed any animals you do not know.
• Do not allow animals to lick open wounds, and do not get animal saliva in your eyes or mouth.
• Avoid rodents and their urine and feces.
• Traveling pets should be supervised closely and not allowed to come in contact with local animals.
• If you wake in a room with a bat, seek medical care immediately. Bat bites may be hard to see.

All animals can pose a threat, but be extra careful around dogs, bats, monkeys, sea animals such as jellyfish, and snakes. If you are bitten or scratched by an animal, immediately:

• Wash the wound with soap and clean water.
• Go to a doctor right away.
• Tell your doctor about your injury when you get back to the United States.

Consider buying medical evacuation insurance. Rabies is a deadly disease that must be treated quickly, and treatment may not be available in some countries.

Reduce your exposure to germs

Follow these tips to avoid getting sick or spreading illness to others while traveling:

• Wash your hands often, especially before eating.
• If soap and water aren’t available, clean hands with hand sanitizer (containing at least 60% alcohol).
• Don’t touch your eyes, nose, or mouth. If you need to touch your face, make sure your hands are clean.
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when coughing or sneezing.
• Try to avoid contact with people who are sick.
• If you are sick, stay home or in your hotel room, unless you need medical care.

Avoid sharing body fluids

Diseases can be spread through body fluids, such as saliva, blood, vomit, and semen.

Protect yourself:

• Use latex condoms correctly.
• Do not inject drugs.
• Limit alcohol consumption. People take more risks when intoxicated.
• Do not share needles or any devices that can break the skin. That includes needles for tattoos, piercings, and acupuncture.
• If you receive medical or dental care, make sure the equipment is disinfected or sanitized.

Know how to get medical care while traveling

Plan for how you will get health care during your trip, should the need arise:

• Carry a list of local doctors and hospitals at your destination.
• Review your health insurance plan to determine what medical services it would cover during your trip. Consider purchasing travel health and medical evacuation insurance.
• Carry a card that identifies, in the local language, your blood type, chronic conditions or serious allergies, and the generic names of any medications you take.
• Some prescription drugs may be illegal in other countries. Call Lesotho’s embassy to verify that all of your prescription(s) are legal to bring with you.
• Bring all the medicines (including over-the-counter medicines) you think you might need during your trip, including extra in case of travel delays. Ask your doctor to help you get prescriptions filled early if you need to.

Many foreign hospitals and clinics are accredited by the Joint Commission International. A list of accredited facilities is available at their website ( www.jointcommissioninternational.org ).

In some countries, medicine (prescription and over-the-counter) may be substandard or counterfeit. Bring the medicines you will need from the United States to avoid having to buy them at your destination.

Select safe transportation

Motor vehicle crashes are the #1 killer of healthy US citizens in foreign countries.

In many places cars, buses, large trucks, rickshaws, bikes, people on foot, and even animals share the same lanes of traffic, increasing the risk for crashes.

Be smart when you are traveling on foot.

• Use sidewalks and marked crosswalks.
• Pay attention to the traffic around you, especially in crowded areas.
• Remember, people on foot do not always have the right of way in other countries.

Riding/Driving

Choose a safe vehicle.

• Choose official taxis or public transportation, such as trains and buses.
• Ride only in cars that have seatbelts.
• Avoid overcrowded, overloaded, top-heavy buses and minivans.
• Avoid riding on motorcycles or motorbikes, especially motorbike taxis. (Many crashes are caused by inexperienced motorbike drivers.)
• Choose newer vehicles—they may have more safety features, such as airbags, and be more reliable.
• Choose larger vehicles, which may provide more protection in crashes.

Think about the driver.

• Do not drive after drinking alcohol or ride with someone who has been drinking.
• Consider hiring a licensed, trained driver familiar with the area.
• Arrange payment before departing.

Follow basic safety tips.

• Wear a seatbelt at all times.
• Sit in the back seat of cars and taxis.
• When on motorbikes or bicycles, always wear a helmet. (Bring a helmet from home, if needed.)
• Avoid driving at night; street lighting in certain parts of Lesotho may be poor.
• Do not use a cell phone or text while driving (illegal in many countries).
• Travel during daylight hours only, especially in rural areas.
• If you choose to drive a vehicle in Lesotho, learn the local traffic laws and have the proper paperwork.
• Get any driving permits and insurance you may need. Get an International Driving Permit (IDP). Carry the IDP and a US-issued driver's license at all times.
• Check with your auto insurance policy's international coverage, and get more coverage if needed. Make sure you have liability insurance.
• Avoid using local, unscheduled aircraft.
• If possible, fly on larger planes (more than 30 seats); larger airplanes are more likely to have regular safety inspections.
• Try to schedule flights during daylight hours and in good weather.

Medical Evacuation Insurance

If you are seriously injured, emergency care may not be available or may not meet US standards. Trauma care centers are uncommon outside urban areas. Having medical evacuation insurance can be helpful for these reasons.

Helpful Resources

Road Safety Overseas (Information from the US Department of State): Includes tips on driving in other countries, International Driving Permits, auto insurance, and other resources.

The Association for International Road Travel has country-specific Road Travel Reports available for most countries for a minimal fee.

Traffic flows on the left side of the road in Lesotho.

• Always pay close attention to the flow of traffic, especially when crossing the street.
• LOOK RIGHT for approaching traffic.

Maintain personal security

Use the same common sense traveling overseas that you would at home, and always stay alert and aware of your surroundings.

Before you leave

• Research your destination(s), including local laws, customs, and culture.
• Monitor travel advisories and alerts and read travel tips from the US Department of State.
• Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) .
• Leave a copy of your itinerary, contact information, credit cards, and passport with someone at home.
• Pack as light as possible, and leave at home any item you could not replace.

While at your destination(s)

• Carry contact information for the nearest US embassy or consulate .
• Carry a photocopy of your passport and entry stamp; leave the actual passport securely in your hotel.
• Follow all local laws and social customs.
• Do not wear expensive clothing or jewelry.
• Always keep hotel doors locked, and store valuables in secure areas.
• If possible, choose hotel rooms between the 2nd and 6th floors.

Healthy Travel Packing List

Use the Healthy Travel Packing List for Lesotho for a list of health-related items to consider packing for your trip. Talk to your doctor about which items are most important for you.

Why does CDC recommend packing these health-related items?

It’s best to be prepared to prevent and treat common illnesses and injuries. Some supplies and medicines may be difficult to find at your destination, may have different names, or may have different ingredients than what you normally use.

If you are not feeling well after your trip, you may need to see a doctor. If you need help finding a travel medicine specialist, see Find a Clinic . Be sure to tell your doctor about your travel, including where you went and what you did on your trip. Also tell your doctor if you were bitten or scratched by an animal while traveling.

For more information on what to do if you are sick after your trip, see Getting Sick after Travel .

Map Disclaimer - The boundaries and names shown and the designations used on maps do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. Approximate border lines for which there may not yet be full agreement are generally marked.

Other Destinations

If you need help finding travel information:

Message & data rates may apply. CDC Privacy Policy

File Formats Help:

• Adobe PDF file
• Microsoft PowerPoint file
• Microsoft Word file
• Microsoft Excel file
• Audio/Video file
• Apple Quicktime file
• RealPlayer file
• Zip Archive file

Exit Notification / Disclaimer Policy

• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) cannot attest to the accuracy of a non-federal website.
• Linking to a non-federal website does not constitute an endorsement by CDC or any of its employees of the sponsors or the information and products presented on the website.
• You will be subject to the destination website's privacy policy when you follow the link.
• CDC is not responsible for Section 508 compliance (accessibility) on other federal or private website.

Update April 12, 2024

Information for u.s. citizens in the middle east.

• Travel Advisories |
• Contact Us |
• MyTravelGov |

Find U.S. Embassies & Consulates

Travel.state.gov, congressional liaison, special issuance agency, u.s. passports, international travel, intercountry adoption, international parental child abduction, records and authentications, popular links, travel advisories, mytravelgov, stay connected, legal resources, legal information, info for u.s. law enforcement, replace or certify documents.

Share this page:

Learn about your destination

Take 90 seconds for safer travel.

Travel Advisory Levels

Enroll in step.

Subscribe to get up-to-date safety and security information and help us reach you in an emergency abroad.

Recommended Web Browsers: Microsoft Edge or Google Chrome.

External Link

You are about to leave travel.state.gov for an external website that is not maintained by the U.S. Department of State.

Links to external websites are provided as a convenience and should not be construed as an endorsement by the U.S. Department of State of the views or products contained therein. If you wish to remain on travel.state.gov, click the "cancel" message.

You are about to visit:

Last verified: Saturday, 27. April 2024 at 08:23 AM

Lesotho Travel Advisory

• Southern Africa
• Lesotho Travel Advice

We advise caution when travelling to Lesotho

Local situation: 3.0 / 5.

We advise caution when travelling to Lesotho. We detected travel advisories from 5 sources for this specific country.

Regional Situation: 3.2 / 5

Lesotho shares a land border with South Africa . For these two countries, the Advisory Index is 3.2 .

Current informationen on Covid-19 in Lesotho

There are currently no officially reported cases of infections with SARS-CoV-2 (or Coronavirus) in Lesotho. As reported by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control this morning (~8:30am CET).

There are currently no officially reported deaths related to this disease in Lesotho.

Source: www.ecdc.europa.eu

Advice scoring history for Lesotho

Chart of the risk level over that last 200 days. This is the daily calculated travel risk for Lesotho.

Chart of the number of sources over that last 200 days. This is the daily number of advisory sources (of any rating) that have been active on that day.

Note: Changes happening on the 28th/29th of July 2019 are related to a change in the software and number of sources processed.

Rating Details (single travel warnings)

These are the individual advisories published by other countries about the destination Lesotho from a travellers perspective. The scoring of all messages combined is the foundation for the current rating 3.0 out of 5.0 .

This is the general advisory usually covering the country as a whole.

Advisory issued by: New Zealand

If you are planning international travel at this time, please read our COVID-19 related travel advice here, alongside our destination specific travel advice below.

Source: https://www.safetravel.govt.nz/lesotho

Advisory issued by: United States

Reissued with obsolete COVID-19 page links removed.           Exercise normal precautions in Lesotho. Read the country information page for additional information on travel to Lesotho.

Source: http://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories/lesotho-travel-advisory.html

Advisory issued by: Canada

The Canadian goverment suggests: Exercise a high degree of caution.

Source: https://travel.gc.ca/destinations/lesotho

Advisory issued by: Finland

Iaktta särskild försiktighet - Det oklara säkerhetsläget fortsätter. Plötsliga förändringar kan ske. Undvik att röra dig ensam eller ute när det är mörkt. Många hiv-positiva bland befolkningen.

Source: https://um.fi/resemeddelande/-/c/LS

Individual rating changes for Lesotho

This is the recent history of individual changes of travel advices that affected the total asessment of Lesotho. Most recent events first.

Changes from December 30th 2021

The total rating for Lesotho changed from 4.4 to 4.0 . Here are the influencing details:

The Finnish government decreased their existing warning for Lesotho to 3.0 (of 5.0) from the previous rating of 5.0 (by -2.0).

Changes from August 7th 2020

The total rating for Lesotho changed from 3.2 to 3.8 . Here are the influencing details:

The United States government increased their existing warning for Lesotho to 4.0 (of 5.0) from the previous rating of 1.0 (by +3.0).

Changes from March 22nd 2020

The total rating for Lesotho changed from 3.0 to 3.2 . Here are the influencing details:

The Canadian government increased their existing warning for Lesotho to 4.0 (of 5.0) from the previous rating of 3.0 (by +1.0).

Changes from March 18th 2020

The total rating for Lesotho changed from 2.6 to 3.0 . Here are the influencing details:

The Australian government increased their existing warning for Lesotho to 5.0 (of 5.0) from the previous rating of 4.0 (by +1.0).

The Irish government increased their existing warning for Lesotho to 4.0 (of 5.0) from the previous rating of 3.0 (by +1.0).

Changes from March 16th 2020

The total rating for Lesotho changed from 2.3 to 2.6 . Here are the influencing details:

The Australian government issued a new warning for Lesotho with a rating of 4.0.

Changes from September 25th 2019

The total rating for Lesotho changed from 0.0 to 0.0 . Here are the influencing details:

The United States government issued a new warning for Lesotho with a rating of 1.0.

The Canadian government issued a new warning for Lesotho with a rating of 3.0.

The Irish government issued a new warning for Lesotho with a rating of 3.0.

The Finnish government issued a new warning for Lesotho with a rating of 2.0.

About Lesotho

Lesotho with its capital Maseru is a country in Africa (Southern Africa), slightly smaller than Maryland (30,355 km²). The country is located Southern Africa, an enclave of South Africa. The climate can be described as temperate; cool to cold, dry winters; hot, wet summers. The landscape is mostly highland with plateaus, hills, and mountains. With a population of about 2.13 million citizens.

Basotho flag

Introduction Video

Basic Statistics and Facts

Environmental problems and natural hazzards.

These are problems Lesotho is facing. Environmental issues refer to damages of the nature due to industry and society. Natural hazzards refer to potential dangers originating in nature.

Environmental problems

• and redirects water to South Africa
• and soil exhaustion
• desertification
• Highlands Water Project controls
• population pressure forcing settlement in marginal areas results in overgrazing
• severe soil erosion

Natural hazzards

• periodic droughts

Top Industries and Agricultural Products

These are the main product industries and agricultural products of Lesotho. This list indicates what this country is good at producing.

• apparel assembly
• construction
• handicrafts

Agriculture products

Basotho Imports and Exports

These are the main product categories of imports and exports to and from Lesotho.

Export products

• electricity
• live animals
• manufactures (clothing

Import products

• building materials
• petroleum products

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the current travel advisory for lesotho.

Lesotho is currently rated at 3,0 out of a possible 5.0. Collected from 5 official sources. We advise caution when travelling to Lesotho.

Is it safe to travel Lesotho in 2024?

Visiting the country Lesotho is usually fine. The score is at 3,0 Just keep an eye open, obey local rules and you'll most likely be fine.

How many travel advisories do you know for Lesotho?

We currently evaluate 11 official sources each morning. Today, we know of active advisories from 5 individual sources for Lesotho.

What is the current Corona virus situation in Lesotho?

There are currently no officially reported cases of infections with SARS-CoV-2 (or Coronavirus) in Lesotho. As reported by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control this morning (~8:30am CET). There are currently no officially reported deaths related to this disease in Lesotho.

What is the size of Lesotho?

Lesotho has a size of 30,355 km² or 11,720 mi² which is slightly smaller than Maryland.

Common Frequently Asked Questions

For non-country specific questions, please check our global F.A.Q.

Travel safety map for Lesotho and bordering countries.

If you want to embed Lesotho travel warning information into your website or application, check out these tools.

• Is Lesotho safe to travel?
• What's the safety situation in Lesotho?
• Are there security warnings for Lesotho?

2020-03-10: Integrated data from European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (COVID-19/ SARS-CoV-2/ Coronavirus).

2019-09-01: Added timeline charts for risk level and number of advisories.

2019-07-29: Added two more sources (Finland and Denmark). Affects country ratings.

2019-07-15: South-Sudan was missing and was added today.

2019-05-18: Performance improvements for API users.

2019-03-23: Introduced professional API with more data.

2019-02-13: Added three more sources (Cyprus, Ireland and Malta). Affects country ratings.

What are the latest Lesotho travel requirements?

April 21, 2021 • 1 min read

TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS

Here's the latest travel information for visiting Lesotho. This update includes the latest information from government agencies, including the US Embassies, and addresses if travel is allowed, if quarantine is required, if testing is required, and if vaccines are required.

Can you currently travel to Lesotho?

To keep this post as current as possible, see below chart for the latest information. You can also check the last updated date as well, and a link to the source for further reference.

How else can I find out about Lesotho travel requirements?

As the global travel situation continues to evolve, information can change on a daily or weekly basis. Specifically for Lesotho, we recommend checking with the US Embassy in Lesotho on entry and exit requirements, especially for returning to the US. A link to the most up-to-date source for Lesotho travel is in the above chart.

What else should I know about the latest travel requirements to Lesotho?

While checking requirements related to quarantine, testing, and vaccinations, don't forget to check your other documents, such as ensuring your passport is valid for at least another 6 months. We typically suggest you try to have at least a year of validity on your passport, given passport renewal times, and most countries require at least 6 months to enter. You can get help with your passport renewal with our door-to-door passport renewal service .

In addition, if you're not enrolled in TSA PreCheck, it's the best way to skip the security line at US airports while keeping your bags packed and shoes on. You can pre-enroll on our Skip app, available in the App Store or Google Play . The app also gives you reminders and alerts about expiring documents and travel changes.

travel requirements

Download the .css-7gc50t{color:var(--chakra-colors-primary-500);font-weight:inherit;} Skip App

Download on the

Google Play

• Skip Grants
• Skip For Good
• Plus Memberships
• One-on-One Memberships
• Our Partners
• Member Success Stories
• Partner With Us
• Become an Affiliate
• How to Get Small Business Funding
• See the Latest Grant Options
• Search For Business Funding
• What's the Skip App
• Submit a Grant
• Help Center

We Help Entrepreneurs Go Further

Copyright © 2024 , YoGovernment, Inc.

• Privacy & Policy

Lesotho Travel Restrictions

Traveller's COVID-19 vaccination status

Travelling from Australia to Lesotho

Open for vaccinated visitors

COVID-19 testing

Not required

Not required for vaccinated visitors

Restaurants

Not required in public spaces.

Explore more countries on travel restrictions map

Destinations you can travel to now, netherlands, new zealand, philippines, south korea, united arab emirates, united kingdom, united states, know when to go.

Sign up for email alerts as countries begin to open - choose the destinations you're interested in so you're in the know.

Can I travel to Lesotho from Australia?

Most visitors from Australia, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Lesotho.

Can I travel to Lesotho if I am vaccinated?

Fully vaccinated visitors from Australia can enter Lesotho without restrictions.

Can I travel to Lesotho without being vaccinated?

Unvaccinated visitors from Australia can enter Lesotho without restrictions.

Do I need a COVID test to enter Lesotho?

Visitors from Australia are not required to present a negative COVID-19 PCR test or antigen result upon entering Lesotho.

Can I travel to Lesotho without quarantine?

Travellers from Australia are not required to quarantine.

Do I need to wear a mask in Lesotho?

Mask usage in Lesotho is not required in public spaces.

Are the restaurants and bars open in Lesotho?

Restaurants in Lesotho are open. Bars in Lesotho are .

• Our Ministers

Please be advised that the Department of Foreign Affairs’ Travel Advice is now available at Ireland.ie/travel. Travel Advice on this webpage is no longer being updated. To ensure you receive the latest Travel Advice for Lesotho , please see Ireland.ie .

If you’re travelling to Lesotho, our travel advice and updates give you practical tips and useful information. 

Security Status

• Normal precautions
• High degree of caution
• Avoid non-essential travel
• Do not travel

Safety and Security

Local laws and customs, additional information, embassy contact, security status.

High Degree of Caution

Latest Travel Alert

Authorities in Lesotho have declared an indefinite nationwide curfew between the hours of 22:00-04:00; the measure will go into effect starting 16 May 2023. The directive is in response to increasing crime rates in the country and follows the May 15 fatal shooting of a popular radio presenter and journalist.

Authorities will almost certainly deploy increased security to enforce the curfew. Local residents opposed to the measure could stage protests; police could move to forcibly disperse any gatherings that may materialize. Irish citizens should avoid any demonstrations and ensure they adhere to the curfew in place.

General Travel Advice

Irish citizens do not require a visa to travel to Lesotho for up to a period of 44 days, after which a residential permit must be applied for at the Ministry of Home Affairs in Maseru. Please consult your nearest  Embassy or Consulate  of Lesotho before travelling for further information.

A valid passport is required for travel to Lesotho and Irish passports should have a minimum validity of 6 months from your intended date of departure from Lesotho. Passport cards cannot be used. Your passport must have at least two blank pages and must not be damaged in any way. If your passport fails on either count, it will be not be accepted by the Lesotho authorities.

Visitors to Lesotho are advised to follow the guidance of national and local authorities and stay fully informed of what's going on by monitoring local news and social media.

Citizens can also follow the Embassy of Ireland in Pretoria on  Twitter@ IrishEmbassyPretoria  to ensure access to relevant updates and alerts.

Our tips for Safe Travels:

• Get comprehensive travel insurance that covers all your planned activities.
• Register  your details with us so that we can contact you quickly if there’s an unforeseen crisis like a natural disaster or a family emergency.
• Follow us on twitter  @dfatravelwise  for the latest travel updates.
• Read our  ‘Know Before You Go’  guide.

As there is no Irish Embassy in Lesotho, we are limited in the help we can offer you in an emergency. However, if you need assistance, you can contact the  Honorary Consulate in Maseru  or the  Irish Embassy in Pretoria .

Safety and security

Political unrest

There are occasionally spontaneous political demonstrations in Maseru and it's advisable to avoid demonstrations, rallies and large public gatherings as a precaution. Monitor local media for reports of demonstrations or unrest.

Although the threat from terrorism in Lesotho is low, there is still a global risk of indiscriminate terrorist attacks, which could be against civilian targets, including places frequented by tourists and expatriates.

Crime rates in Lesotho have increased in recent years so please take sensible precautions when visiting:

• Don’t carry your credit card, travel tickets and money together - leave spare cash and valuables in a safe place.
• Don’t carry your passport unless absolutely necessary and leave a copy of your passport (and travel and insurance documents) with family or friends at home.
• Avoid showing large sums of money in public and don’t use ATMs after dark, especially if you’re alone. Check no one has followed you after conducting your business.
• Avoid dark and unlit streets and stairways, and arrange to be picked up or dropped off as close to your hotel or apartment entrance as possible.
• Keep a close eye on your personal belongings and hold on to them in public places such as internet cafés, train and bus stations.
• Do not walk around Maseru after dark and avoid driving in rural areas at night.
• Keep doors locked, windows shut and valuables out of sight when driving in urban centres, especially Maseru.

Petty theft

Muggers in central Maseru sometimes target foreign nationals. We advise you to avoid walking alone in isolated areas or after dark and driving in rural areas at night. Only carry essentials with you and keep valuables out of sight.

Theft from vehicles

When driving in urban centres, especially Maseru, keep doors locked, windows shut and valuables out of sight. Park in well-lit areas and don’t pick up strangers. Take care at the approaches to main border crossings, particularly at night. Armed car hijacking is also increasing.

Personal safety

There have been recent incidences of armed attacks on pedestrians. If you have no alternative but to walk around Maseru, avoid taking the same route repeatedly and be vigilant. If you are attacked, or your car is hijacked, don’t resist.

There is a public transport/taxi service in Lesotho but safety cannot be guaranteed. We recommend you take telephone taxis. Always confirm the fare in advance and never take a lift from a stranger.

Reporting crime

If you’re a victim of a crime while in Lesotho, report it to the local police immediately. And you can contact us at our Irish Embassy in Pretoria, South Africa if you need help.

If you’re planning to drive in Lesotho, you should be extremely careful as road safety standards are poor.

If you want to drive:

• Bring your international driving license and make sure you have adequate and appropriate insurance – after three months, you must get a local driving licence
• Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is against the law and you risk being detained, fined or banned from driving if caught
• Keep your vehicle doors locked and your bags kept out of sight to prevent opportunistic bag-snatching if you’re stopped at traffic lights
• Watch out for animals roaming on the roads, especially at night
• Local mini-bus taxis are often poorly maintained and uninsured, and ignore road safety rules

Vehicle hire

If you’re hiring a vehicle, we advise you not to hand over your passport as a form of security. If you’re allowing your passport to be photocopied, keep it in your sight at all times.

Check that you have adequate insurance and read the small print of the vehicle hire contract (particularly any waiver that will come into effect if the vehicle is damaged).

Local laws and customs

Remember, the local laws apply to you as a visitor and it is your responsibility to follow them. Be sensitive to local customs, traditions and practices as your behaviour may be seen as improper, hostile or may even be illegal.

Illegal drugs

Illegal drug use (no matter what the drug) carries stiff penalties, including fines and long prison terms. 

Please be aware that Lesotho lacks good medical facilities. 

HIV and AIDS

There is a high incidence of HIV and AIDS in Lesotho so you should exercise necessary caution if engaging in activities that expose you to possible infection.  

Get travel and medical insurance

Before travelling, the Department strongly recommends that you obtain comprehensive travel insurance which will cover all overseas medical costs, including medical repatriation/evacuation, repatriation of remains and legal costs. You should check any exclusions and, in particular, that your policy covers you for the activities you want to undertake. 

Vaccinations

Check what vaccinations you may need for your trip at least eight weeks before you travel. We can’t advise you on vaccinations, but you can get information about vaccinations from your local GP or an International Health and Travel Centre.

Evidence of vaccination (in the form of a certificate) can be a requirement for entry to some countries.

Make sure you bring enough medication for your entire trip and for any unexpected delays. You may wish to also bring copies of your prescription in case you lose your medication.

Additional information

Entry requirements (visa/passport).

Irish citizens do not require a visa to travel to Lesotho for up to a period of 44 days after which a residential permit must be applied for at the Ministry of Home Affairs in Maseru.

Passports must be valid for at least six months from date of entry into Lesotho and also  must be valid for a minimum period of 90 days from the date of exit from Lesotho. You must have at least two spare pages to allow the immigration authorities to affix visa stamps.

It’s advisable to take a number of photocopies of your passport with you when travelling to Lesotho and you should carry a photocopy of your passport at all times during your stay. 

If your passport is lost or stolen while you’re abroad, we can help.

You will need a police report if you want to make a claim on your travel insurance. We will not provide you with a new travel document without a police report.

What we can do:

• Issue an emergency travel document that will get you home

• If required, provide advice and assistance in applying for new passport

We’ll do our best to help you as quickly as possible but this can take some time. Your location and circumstances may limit the help we can give you. As Ireland does not have an Embassy in Lesotho there may be additional complications in processing and application for a new travel document.

You should take traveller's cheques or South African Rand in cash, which circulates as an official currency in Lesotho along with the Maloti (local currency). Maloti are not generally accepted in South Africa. 

Some of ATMs in Lesotho have the facility to accept international ATM cards (First National Bank, Nedbank and Standard Bank). Credit cards are widely accepted (Visa/Master cards) in most stores and restaurants in Maseru. However, you may find places in the rural areas that do not accept these cards. 

Maseru and the surrounding lowlands often reach 30⁰C in summer.

Winters can be cold with lowlands getting down to -7⁰C and the highlands could be as low as -18⁰C at times. Snow is common in the highlands between May and September. Take note of weather forecasts before travelling in the highlands during these months.

Lesotho’s varied climate brings different forms of drought, floods, heavy snowfalls and any other forms of weather-related hazards. At the moment, about three-quarters of all the country’s natural disasters are related to weather, climate and water and their extremes. 

Embassy contact

We do not have an Embassy in Lesotho, please contact Embassy of Ireland to South Africa on the information below.

Embassy of Ireland 2nd Floor, Building A 238 Florence Ribeiro Avenue Nieuw Muckleneuk Pretoria South Africa

Tel: + 27 12 452 1000 Fax: + 27 12 342 4752

Monday to Thursday 09:00-12:00

Honorary Consulate Contact

Ms. Mannete Malethole Ramaili Cathedral Area Main South 1 Road P.O. Box 7159 Maseru 100 Lesotho

Tel: + 266 223 24182

Email: Email us

Before travelling, the Department  strongly recommends  that you obtain comprehensive travel insurance which will cover all overseas medical costs, including medical repatriation/evacuation, repatriation of remains and legal costs. You should check any exclusions and, in particular, that your policy covers you for the activities you want to undertake.

Contacting us

Contact our Honorary Consulate in Maseru

Contact our Embassy in Pretoria for assistance

Related links

Know Before You Go

Assistance abroad

Lesotho Travel Restrictions

Traveller's COVID-19 vaccination status

Travelling from South Africa to Lesotho

Open for vaccinated visitors

COVID-19 testing

Not required

Not required for vaccinated visitors

Restaurants

Not required in public spaces.

Ready to travel?

Find flights to lesotho, find stays in lesotho, explore more countries on travel restrictions map, destinations you can travel to now, dominican republic, new zealand, philippines, united arab emirates, united kingdom, united states, know when to go.

Sign up for email alerts as countries begin to open - choose the destinations you're interested in so you're in the know.

Can I travel to Lesotho from South Africa?

Most visitors from South Africa, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Lesotho.

Can I travel to Lesotho if I am vaccinated?

Fully vaccinated visitors from South Africa can enter Lesotho without restrictions.

Can I travel to Lesotho without being vaccinated?

Unvaccinated visitors from South Africa can enter Lesotho without restrictions.

Do I need a COVID test to enter Lesotho?

Visitors from South Africa are not required to present a negative COVID-19 PCR test or antigen result upon entering Lesotho.

Can I travel to Lesotho without quarantine?

Travellers from South Africa are not required to quarantine.

Do I need to wear a mask in Lesotho?

Mask usage in Lesotho is not required in public spaces.

Are the restaurants and bars open in Lesotho?

Restaurants in Lesotho are open. Bars in Lesotho are .

The Best Time to Visit Lesotho for Weather, Safety, & Tourism

The best times to visit Lesotho for ideal weather are

January 8th to April 15th

September 10th to december 16th.

based on average temperature and humidity from NOAA (the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration). Read below for more weather and travel details.

Lesotho Travel Guide

Temperature.

• Perceived Temperature
• Rain and snow
• Humidity and wind
• The busiest and least popular months
• Overall travel experience by time of year

Other Lesotho Travel Info

Weather in lesotho.

Average temperatures in Lesotho vary greatly. Considering humidity, temperatures feel nice most of the year, excluding some cold weeks in the winter, with a very low chance of rain or snow throughout the year. The area is more temperate than most — in the 74th percentile for pleasant weather — compared to tourist destinations worldwide. Weeks with ideal weather are listed above . If you’re looking for the very warmest time to visit Lesotho, the hottest months are January, December, and then February. See average monthly temperatures below. The warmest time of year is generally early January where highs are regularly around 82.9°F (28.3°C) with temperatures rarely dropping below 61.4°F (16.3°C) at night.

Lesotho Temperatures (Fahrenheit)

Lesotho temperatures (celsius), “feels-like” temperatures.

The way we experience weather isn’t all about temperature. Higher temperatures affect us much more at higher humidity, and colder temperatures feel piercing with high winds. Our perceived temperatures factor in humidity and wind chill to better represent how hot or cold the day feels to a person.

Lesotho Perceived Temperature (F)

Lesotho perceived temperature (c), average lesotho temperatures by month.

Daily highs (averaged for the month) usually give the best indication of the weather. A significantly lower mean and low generally just means it gets colder at night.

Show Fahrenheit

Show celsius, precipitation (rain or snow).

If dry weather is what you’re after, the months with the lowest chance of significant precipitation in Lesotho are July, August, and then September. Note that we define “significant precipitation” as .1 inches or more in this section. The lowest chance of rain or snow occurs around early to mid January. For example, on the week of January 8th there are no days of precipitation on average. By contrast, it’s most likely to rain or snow in late November to early December with an average of 2 days of significant precipitation the week of November 26th.

Chance of Precipitation

The graph below shows the % chance of rainy and snowy days in Lesotho.

Snow on the Ground

The graph below shows the average snow on the ground in Lesotho (in).

Average Rain and Snow by Month

Show inches, show centimeters, humidity and wind.

Lesotho has some comfortably humid months, and dry months in the opposite season. The least humid month is September (20.3% relative humidity), and the most humid month is October (45.2%).

Wind in Lesotho is usually calm . The windiest month is November, followed by December and September. November’s average wind speed of around 8.7 knots (10.1 MPH or 16.2 KPH) is considered “a gentle breeze.” Maximum sustained winds (the highest speed for the day lasting more than a few moments) are at their highest in early November where average top sustained speeds reach 15.8 knots, which is considered a moderate breeze.

Relative Humidity (%)

The graph below shows the average % humidity by month in Lesotho.

The graph below shows wind speed (max and average) in knots.

Average Wind Speeds

Show wind speeds.

All wind speeds are in knots. 1 knot = 1.15 MPH or 1.85 KPH.

Show Relative Humidity by Month

Is it safe to travel to lesotho.

Our best data indicates this area is somewhat safe. As of Dec 04, 2023 there are travel warnings for Lesotho; exercise a high degree of caution. Check this page for any recent changes or regions to avoid: Travel Advice and Advisories . This advisory was last updated on Oct 26, 2023.

The Busiest and Least Crowded Months

The busiest month for tourism in Lesotho is January, followed by July and September. Prices for hotels and flights will be most expensive during these months, though you can save if you purchase well in advance. Tourists are unlikely to visit Lesotho in December. Those willing to visit at these times will likely find it the least expensive month.

Estimated Tourism by Month

Most popular months to visit, overall lesotho travel experience by season, fall (march through may).

Humidity and temperatures combine to make this season feel moderate. Highs range from 80°F (26.7°C) and 63.3°F (17.4°C) with colder temperatures in the later months. Rain is rare with 1 to 3 days of significant precipitation per month. Fall is the slowest for tourism, which makes it a good time for those looking for deals.

Winter (June through August)

The middle-year months have cold weather with high temperatures that are brisk. These months see the least precipitation with 0 to 1 days of precipitation per month. June – August is the second busiest season for tourism in Lesotho, so lodging and other accommodations may cost slightly more.

Spring (September through November)

Spring daily highs range from 79.5°F (26.4°C) and 66.6°F (19.2°C), which will feel very nice given the humidity and wind. It rains or snows a normal amount: 1 to 3 days per month. Tourism is the busiest during these months due to the weather, so hotels may be higher priced.

Summer (December through February)

Weather is perfect this time of year in Lesotho to be enjoyable for warm weather travelers. The average high during this season is between 82.9°F (28.3°C) and 78.3°F (25.7°C). On average, it rains or snows a fair amount: 4 to 5 times per month. These times of year are fairly slow with tourists.

Best Times to Travel › Lesotho

Similar Destinations

• Likalaneng, Lesotho
• Ntsi, Lesotho
• Teyateyaneng, Lesotho
• Hlotse, Lesotho
• Maputsoe, Lesotho
• Bokong, Lesotho
• Berea Hills, Lesotho
• Butha Buthe, Lesotho
• Maseru, Lesotho
• Buthe-Buthe, Lesotho

Popular Destinations

• Sihanoukville, Cambodia
• Alanya, Turkey
• Unawatuna, Sri Lanka

We’re sorry, this site is currently experiencing technical difficulties. Please try again in a few moments. Exception: request blocked

• Destinations

Wild Junket

Lesotho Travel: My Detailed Guide and Itinerary

Last Updated on October 19, 2020

Lesotho travel is sure to surprise you – whether it’s your first or 100th time in Africa. Here’s my Lesotho travel guide and itinerary to help you plan a trip to this Kingdom in the Sky.

Completely landlocked and surrounded by South Africa is the small African nation of Lesotho (pronounced ‘leh-soo-too’). The small African nation is culturally rich, stunning, affordable and easily accessible from Durban and Johannesburg.

Yet the contrast with South Africa could not be more striking, with the Basotho people’s distinct personality and the terrain’s topographical extremes. Even a few days in Lesotho’s hospitable mountain lodges and trading posts will give you a fresh perspective on Southern Africa.

Often dubbed “the Kingdom in the Sky”, Lesotho is a largely mountainous country with lofty altitude — it has the highest lowest point of any country in the world (1400m) and is the only country to be entirely above 1000m!  For those planning a trip to this intriguing mountain nation, here is a complete guide with the best things to do, where to stay and where to eat, as well as details of my four-day itinerary in Lesotho.

Table of Contents

Where’s Lesotho?

History of lesotho, by car rental, when to travel to lesotho, how to get around lesotho, where to stay in lesotho, cost of travel in lesotho, day 1: drive into the maloti mountains, stay: maliba lodge, day 2: explore t’sehlanyane national park, day 3: drive to maseru, capital of lesotho, stay: greater heights b&b, day 4: head back to johannesburg, what did we miss, inspired pin it.

Located in southern Africa, Lesotho is completely landlocked by South Africa . It’s one of the smallest countries in Africa. With a land area of approximately 30, 555 square kilometres, it is similar in size to Belgium.

Many travelers make a flying visit to Lesotho on their way to Kwazulu Natal, but it’s well worth lingering at least five days or a week. You can easily combine a trip to South Africa with Lesotho (and Swaziland ), like what we did. We spent 16 days in total, driving from Johannesburg to Swaziland and then continue south into Kwazulu-Natal, South Africa, and onto Lesotho, then back to Johannesburg.

Originally, the Basotho people lived in what is now Free State in neighboring South Africa. They were a farming people, and when the Zulus started attacking villages and the Voortrekkers started encroaching on their land, they fled up into the Lesotho mountains. Here, continuous attacks from the Zulus forced local tribes to join together for protection.

By 1824, King Moeshoeshoe had established himself as king. Moeshoeshoe allied himself with the British Colony government. Much fighting followed, forcing Moeshoeshoe to go straight to the Britisih government. In 1868, Basotholand (as it was then called) became a protectorate of the British Empire. It was granted independence from the British Empire on October 4th, 1966.

The Kingdom of Lesotho was formed through the pursuit of peace, and this peaceful nature still exists in the Basotho. They have always been calm and stable. People are especially grateful to Brits for saving them from apartheid!

How to Travel to Lesotho

Traveling to Lesotho is surprisingly easy. Unlike many other African countries, Lesotho allows citizens of most countries (US, UK, Canada and Australia) to enter visa-free. Nationals of Singapore, Japan, Israel and most African countries do not need a visa to stay in Lesotho for up to 90 days. Citizens of EU countries can enter visa-free for up to 14 days. Those who need a visa for Lesotho can apply for an e-visa here.

The only International airport of Lesotho is the Moshoeshoe Airport, located 18km from Maseru. South African Airways and Airlink operate daily flights between Maseru and Johannesburg , typically costing around 1400 LSL (Lesotho Loti), equivalent to US$100 each way. The flight cuts down a 5-hour car journey to just 55 minutes on the plane.

You should arrange taxi pick-up in advance as often there are no taxis at the airport. The best way is to get your hotel to arrange the transfer for you. Taxis charge around 50-80 LSL (US$3-6) to Maseru each way.

Check for Flights to Lesotho

For those without your own car, Vaal-Maseru runs a coach service between Johannesburg and Maseru. You can find the bus schedule here .  Minibuses run pretty much anywhere from the Maseru Bridge border, but you must get there early in the morning (07:00) as there may be only 1 bus a day.

The most popular way to travel into Lesotho from South Africa is overland via border crossings. The journey from Johannesburg to Maseru is just 5 hours by car. We booked our rental car online from Discover Car Hire . For the entire two-week trip in South Africa, Swaziland and Lesotho, it only cost us just US$250 including a toddler car seat and all the permits we had to pay to drive the car across borders.

When taking a rented car, be sure to get permission from the rental company to take the car into Lesotho. You will need to show written permission from the rental company at border control. Be clear with your rental agency about what’s covered and what’s not in order to avoid unpleasant surprises.

The most popular border posts are Sani Pass, Ficksburg bridge, Caledonspoort, and Maseru bridge. Note that most borders close around 6pm, some as early as 4pm. Only Maseru Bridge and Ficksburg Bridge are open 24 hours. Check here for details of their operating hours.

On our way into Lesotho, we were lucky enough to find the Caledonspoort border rather empty. The border crossing took only around 10 minutes in total. But on our way out of Lesotho, there was quite a long line at Maseru Bridge – the most used crossing – in the early morning. We spent around one hour waiting in line on the Lesotho side to get our passports stamped.

Sani Pass is the most famous border post, because of the spectacular drive and unique high-altitude location. The legendary mountain road zigzags its way through the Drakensberg Mountains, and is a steep and challenging road to navigate.

After crossing the pass, most travelers will stop to have a drink at Africa’s highest bar. You can even stay overnight at the highest pub in Africa .

You can ONLY use the Sani Pass if you have a 4×4. If you’re not a confident driver, I suggest booking a Sani Pass tour to visit Sani Pass with knowledgable local guides.

Rent Your Car here!

We chose to travel Swaziland , South Africa and Lesotho in June, mainly for the mild winter climate and better wildlife opportunities. Read more on the best time to travel Lesotho .

June to September is the winter dry season in South Africa, Swaziland and Lesotho. During this period, there is less vegetation and animals are more concentrated around rivers and waterholes, making it easier to spot them. There are also fewer mosquitos.

However, it can get cold in the evenings especially since most of Lesotho is mountainous. That means you’ll need to bring a winter/down jacket. Temperatures in the lowlands range from 12 to 25 degrees Celsius, and in the mountains from 3 to 10 degrees Celsius. We mostly wore t-shirt and shorts or cargo pants during the day, plus a light jacket at night.

The best way to travel around Lesotho is by car rental. We booked our rental car online from Discover Car Hire . For the entire two-week trip in South Africa , Swaziland and Lesotho, it only cost us just US$250 including a toddler car seat and all the permits we had to pay to drive the car across borders.

Contrary to what most websites say, you DON’T need a 4×4 to drive into Lesotho. You only need a 4×4 to drive the Sani Pass. Most roads in Lesotho are relatively good, though certain stretches may have lots of potholes. Because the country is mountainous, be prepared for steep mountain roads, especially close to the border with South Africa. Still, we were absolutely fine traveling around Lesotho in a normal car.

Petrol can also be a problem — it is best to fill the tank in Maseru or in South Africa. Outside Maseru, unleaded can be very hard to find, and even LRP and diesel can be in short supply. If you’re not renting a car, the most common mode of transport is minibuses. 

Check for Car Rentals here!

Unlike neighboring South Africa , Lesotho has limited tourism infrastructure and there aren’t quite as many luxury hotels to choose from. You’ll find may midrange hotels in Maseru, but beyond that, there are a handful of accommodation choices in each town or area.

Here are some of the best places to stay in Lesotho that are worth checking out:

Maliba Lodge — Staying here was the highlight of our Lesotho trip! As the first and only five-star hotel in Lesotho, Maliba Lodge is an outstanding mountain retreat for those who truly want to escape. It is located in high altitudes of the pristine Tsehlanyane National Park. There are lots of hiking trails crisscrossing the area; the hotel also organizes community tours and pony treks. The lodge also has a kids’ club for young children. Read my full review here.

Check the latest rates

AVANI Maseru Hotel — Probably the best hotel in Maseru, this upscale hotel is great for those looking for modern comforts in the country’s capital. It’s located along the Caledon River, in the centre of Maseru, with easy access to the Pioneer Shopping Mall. There’s a large outdoor swimming pool, a thatched pool bar and restaurant in the hotel itself.

Greater Heights B&B — We stayed here when we were in Maseru and found the B&B to be a really comfortable, budget option. The new B&B offers great value-for-money with spanking clean interiors and big, spacious rooms.   It’s located at the base of the Parliament Hill, which is a great spot for catching sunset. For some mod cons, the hotel is a few minutes from the Maseru Shopping Mall.

Thaba Bosiu Cultural Village   — Thaba Bosiu was was once the capital of Lesotho, having been King Moshoeshoe’s stronghold. These days, you can stay in the cultural village here where thatch-roofed hut have been converted into comfortable rooms. The village is a good introduction before visiting the plateau as the museum has a small but informative display on Lesotho history. You can also get a guided tour around the cultural village and visit various traditional Bosotho huts.

Check the latest rates here!

The currency used is the Lesotho Loti (LSL). The current exchange rate is 1 USD =13.30 LSL and 1 EUR = 15.35 LSL. Note that the African rand (ZAR) can be used almost everywhere in Lesotho, so if you’re coming from South Africa , there’s no need to exchange currency. If you still want o have some Loti with you, you can change with taxi drivers or petrol kiosk attendants at the border towns (don’t expect official exchange bureaus.)

Lesotho is an inexpensive country to travel in, especially when compared to South Africa. Midrange hotels usually cost around US$30-100 per night for a double room, and meals are around US$3-10 per person depending on where you eat.

There aren’t as many restaurants in Lesotho, so expect to eat at more local eateries and diners. ATMs are common in Lesotho, but international cards are rarely accepted outside the capital.

Lesotho Travel: Our Four-Day Itinerary

As mentioned, Lesotho is relatively small, but distances are still long as it is mountainous. You can get a taste of it in a few days, but it’s advisable to take at least a week to see more of Lesotho. We spent four days in Lesotho and only saw the northern part of the country. If you also have just have a few days in Lesotho, check out our detailed itinerary and feel free to use it on your trip!

To enter Lesotho, we chose to cross the Calendenspoort border from South Africa. This was the most spectacular drive of our whole trip through South Africa, Swaziland and Lesotho. The mountainscapes were mindblowing and we found ourselves woo-ing and ahh-ing at the bend of every turn.

The border crossing into Lesotho was quick and easy: we didn’t even need to pay any road tax and show any permit. The customs officers only checked Alberto’s drivers license and not the car. (That said, I recommend not taking the risk and getting your Lesotho permit from your rental company in advance.)

After crossing into Lesotho, it was just an hour’s drive to our destination, Maliba Lodge in T’sehlanyane National Park . The road into the national park was absolutely stunning, flanked by steep mountain slopes dotted with thatch-roofed mud huts and grazing cattle. We were surrounded by the famous Maloti Mountains that extend for about 100 km into the Free State.

We absolutely loved our time at Maliba Lodge, a luxurious eco-lodge poised on the top of the Maloti Mountains within a protected national park. The hotel is specially designed to celebrate the Lesotho tradition, sharing many architectural features with the traditional houses that dot the landscapes. On the outside, the huts at Maliba Lodge look very simple, with grass thatched-roofs and brown walls; but on the side, they’re equipped with five-star features and modern comforts. Read my full review here.

The next day, we signed up for a community tour with Maliba Lodge. Most of the lodge staff are from the surrounding Basotho villages and they know the area inside out, so we were definitely in good hands. Our guide brought us to three villages that were just a few kilometres from the lodge and the experience gave us incredible insights to how the Basotho live.

The first stop was the traditional beer-brewing hut, where the villagers prepared local beer together. We chanced upon a group of men singing, hitting the hops, and preparing them for the fermentation process. Then we got to try the traditional beer ourselves — which tasted much better than I expected.

Next, we went to visit a series of traditional mud huts where the villagers lived. Most of the huts had electricity as well as kitchen and beds. We also got to meet a sangoma, or traditional healer, who happened to be a lady in her sixties. She showed us all her tools and even demonstrated how she made certain medication.

In the afternoon, Alberto and I went on a pony trek in the national park, while Kaleya stayed at the kids club at Maliba Lodge (huge thanks to the kind staff who offered to take care of her!).

The Basotho pony is a unique species of small horses that have evolved over the years. We rode up the horses up the mountain ridges to the Blackpool, one of the many natural pools in the area. Along the way, we spotted an eland (second largest antelope in Africa) as well as eagles in the distance. The national park is also home to mountain baboons, bearded vultures, and falcon.

Leaving T’sehlanyane National Park behind us, we started our drive south to explore more of Lesotho. We were truly impressed by what we’d seen so far — the landscapes of northern Lesotho reminded me of Bhutan and Ethiopia, with sandy-brown mountains in the backdrop and dry millet fields carved into terraces on the lowlands.

With our expectations rather high, we were disappointed to find there weren’t quite much to see enroute to Maseru, in terms of natural attractions or cultural sights. We wanted to stop over at Sebung River to see some dinosaur footprints but were warned against it by our lodge. We were told that permission was needed from the local chief to visit.

Then we made a special stop at Teyateyaneng, known as the craft centre of Lesotho. We had a hard time finding Sesoto Design Gallery that was highly recommended in our guidebook, but eventually found that the weaving workshop was closed and the tiny store was just stocked with expensive handwoven runs. A place worth stopping is the Lesotho Mountain Craft Gallery that’s a few kilometers outside of town. Prices are high but there’s a bigger selection and the lady who runs it is more than willing to chat and show you how the weaving is done. Click to see its Google Maps location.

We did end up having a few hours to explore Maseru, the capital of Lesotho. There aren’t a lot of attractions in Maseru per se, but it’s worthwhile to spend a day getting to know the city. Start with the Lesotho National Museum , which holds the best of sculptures and ethnic relics in Lesotho.

I also recommend heading up to the parliament hill for sunset — that was quite a pleasant surprise for us. From the vantage point, Maseru looked surprisingly sparse, with only clusters of houses scattered over the dry grassy plains.

We found the B&B to be a really comfortable, budget option. The new B&B offers great value-for-money with spanking clean interiors and big, spacious rooms.   It’s located at the base of the Parliament Hill, which is a great spot for catching sunset. For some mod cons, the hotel is a few minutes from the Maseru Shopping Mall.

On our last day, we woke up early and drove just 10 minutes to the Maseru bridge border post. It was pretty crowded and we had to spend one hour waiting in line on the Lesotho side to get our passports stamped. Luckily it was fast on the South African side and we managed to go on our way by 10am. From there, it was a five-hour drive back to Johannesburg, where our journey began.

Technically, we only had three days in Lesotho; but having that third night in Lesotho definitely gave us some extra time to explore Maseru and get to know Lesotho a bit better. If you do have some time to spare, I recommend spending your fourth day exploring the Thaba Bosiu Cultural Village , about 30 minutes from the city. It provides the best historical gateway in Lesotho and is such an amazing place to have a hike. It holds a great natural significant portraying the historical Basotho fighting the Boers at that particular hill.

As we only had a few days in Lesotho, we only saw the northern part of the country. There are lots more to experience in the rest of the country, including:

• Afriski — Ski and Mountain Resort for skiing in winter (June – September)
• Bokong Nature Reserve — hiking paradise great for those who love the outdoors (the Lepaquoa waterfall freezes in winter into a solid column of ice)
• Sehlabathebe National Park — remote mountain reserve great for hiking with rare wildlife, impressive waterfalls, and ancient rock paintings and stone shelters
• Katse — the impressive Katse Dam
• Morija — dinosaur footprints
• Semonkong — Maletsunyane Falls
• Thaba Bosiu — The mountain stronghold where King Moeshoeshoe the Great established the Kingdom of Lesotho

What to Pack for Lesotho

If you’re traveling Lesotho in winter (June to September) like we did, you should pack for cold weather, but there’s no need for a thick coat, gloves and winter hat (unless you’re going skiing). 3 layers should do: a lightweight bottom, a fleece, and a thin waterproof outer layer. When we traveled there in June, it was mainly sunny and warm during the day (t-shirts and long pants were enough) and only chilly at night. For those traveling in summer, spring or fall, one layer is enough, but don’t forget to bring a thin jacket for chilly nights.

I’m a strong believer in ‘less is more’. The less you travel with, the more convenient it will be to move around. If you can’t see yourself using something daily, you probably don’t need it.

Here are some of the essentials to pack for a trip to Lesotho:

1.  Long Sleeve Moisture Wicking Tees : The key to staying warm in Lesotho is layering. Bring some    long sleeve t-shirts that are great for hiking, that you can easily remove throughout the day and night. 

2 .  Fleece Base : This is my favorite gear for cold climates. It’s thick but lightweight, and keeps me warm even in sub-zero temperatures. Plus most fleece are cheap and easy to find everywhere. I usually get one that can be zipped all the way down, so I can easily remove layers when I’m warm.

3.  Soft Shell Jacket : Pack a thin waterproof, soft shell jacket regardless of the weather you’re traveling. It’s particularly useful for the rain. This also acts as an extra layer between your shirt and down jacket or parka. I used this almost everyday on my trip.

4.  Quick-Dry Pants : These are something I wear on almost every trip. They’re lightweight, thin, comfortable and waterproof. I can wear them in winter and summer, without feeling too warm or cold.

5.  Hiking Boots : A pair of sturdy hiking boots that are waterproof and protective for hiking in the mountains of Lesotho. I’ve used mine for around 2 years now and they’ve been to many countries and different types of terrain with me. Instead of getting those high boots that are ridiculously heavy and thick, I think it’s better to travel with hiking boots like these. 

Nellie Huang

Nellie Huang is the founder of WildJunket. Originally from Singapore, Nellie has traveled to over 150 countries across 7 continents. She is a book author and Lonely Planet guidebook writer. As an adventure travel blogger, she has a special interest in unusual destinations and deep experiences. Follow her travels on her Facebook and Instagram .

Leave a Comment Cancel Comment

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

The Comments

Angie Shackleford

I enjoyed your comprehensive and detailed information on Lesotho, as it is seldom that any travel author takes the time to really understand a destination, which I feel that you achieved in this blog. Lesotho is the most remarkable spark of brilliance as it is just so remote and real. I love the rural areas that are untouched by man. I have spent many happy days in Lesotho and the one thing that has fascinated me the most, is the simple and unsophisticated perception of many communities. Best of luck with your future travels and we look forward to more travel articles of this calibre.

This means a lot to me. Thank you so much for taking the time to write such a nice feedback! Appreciate the kind words and glad we share the same admiration for Lesotho!

Wow!!!!!! Very helpful, thank you very much. Will be off to Lesotho soon.

Aww so glad you found this guide useful! Lesotho is gorgeous, enjoy it!

Eric Chiang

I am planning to drive from Johannesburg to Lesotho for 2 days, our blog is very helpful for 1st timer like me.

Oh great to hear! Have a great trip and let me know if I can help in any way!

You May Also Like

Travel faroe islands: a detailed guide and itinerary, kenya travel guide: all you need to know, african safari with kids: my complete guide.

Cookies on GOV.UK

We use some essential cookies to make this website work.

We’d like to set additional cookies to understand how you use GOV.UK, remember your settings and improve government services.

We also use cookies set by other sites to help us deliver content from their services.

You have accepted additional cookies. You can change your cookie settings at any time.

You have rejected additional cookies. You can change your cookie settings at any time.

• Passports, travel and living abroad
• Travel abroad
• Foreign travel advice

Getting help

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office ( FCDO ) cannot provide tailored advice for individual trips. Read this travel advice and carry out your own research before deciding whether to travel.

Emergency services in Lesotho

Telephone: 112 (ambulance, fire, police) 

Contact your travel provider and insurer

Contact your travel provider and your insurer if you are involved in a serious incident or emergency abroad. They will tell you if they can help and what you need to do.

Refunds and changes to travel

For refunds or changes to travel, contact your travel provider. You may also be able to make a claim through insurance. However, insurers usually require you to talk to your travel provider first.

Find out more about changing or cancelling travel plans , including:

• where to get advice if you are in a dispute with a provider
• how to access previous versions of travel advice to support a claim

Support from FCDO

FCDO has guidance on staying safe and what to do if you need help or support abroad, including:

• finding English-speaking lawyers and funeral directors in Lesotho
• dealing with a death in Lesotho
• being arrested or imprisoned in Lesotho
• getting help if you’re a victim of crime
• what to do if you’re in hospital
• if you’re affected by a crisis , such as a terrorist attack

Contacting FCDO

Follow and contact FCDO travel on Twitter , Facebook and Instagram . You can also sign up to get email notifications when this travel advice is updated.

You can also contact FCDO online .

Help abroad in an emergency

If you are in Lesotho and you need emergency help from the UK government, contact the British High Commission in Pretoria, South Africa who provide consular assistance for Lesotho.

FCDO in London

You can call FCDO in London if you need urgent help because something has happened to a friend or relative abroad.

Telephone: 020 7008 5000 (24 hours)

Find out about call charges

Related content

Is this page useful.

• Yes this page is useful
• No this page is not useful

Help us improve GOV.UK

Don’t include personal or financial information like your National Insurance number or credit card details.

To help us improve GOV.UK, we’d like to know more about your visit today. We’ll send you a link to a feedback form. It will take only 2 minutes to fill in. Don’t worry we won’t send you spam or share your email address with anyone.

Travel Advice for Lesotho

Going to Lesotho and need to know about the latest government travel advice for Lesotho? Find the updated travel advice and travel warnings for Lesotho from governments around the world, here.

General Travel Advice and Warnings for Lesotho

The decision to travel to Lesotho is your choice and you are responsible for your personal health and safety whilst in Lesotho.

The material on this web page is given information only and gathered from travel advice and warnings for Lesotho by governments around the world to their citizens.

While we make every effort to give you appropriate travel advice details, it is provided on an “as is” basis without warranty of any kind, expressed or implied.

This owners of this site does not assume responsibility and will not be liable for any damages in connection to the information given.

Standard Cautions Travellers Need to Remember When Travelling in Lesotho

Crime – Petty criminal offenses such as pick pocketing in a crowded surrounding to sexual assault and robberies do happen in bigger cities of Lesotho. Ensure that all your personal items, such as passports and other traveling documents, are safe at all times.

Terrorism – Always be aware of your surroundings whenever in public areas. Be particularly cautious if going to sporting events and during religious holidays and other public celebrations, as terrorists often make use of such events to mount attacks.

Demonstrations and Protests – Demonstrations may occur. Even peaceful demonstrations can turn violent at any time. They can also lead to disruptions to traffic and public transport. It is in your interest of safety and security to stay clear of locations where demonstrations and large events are occurring and adhere to the directions of local authorities. Monitor local media in Lesotho for info on on-going protests in Lesotho.

Scams – Exercise care in crowded tourist areas in Lesotho, where scammers target travellers. If you have actually been scammed in Lesotho, get to a safe location quickly; make note, as soon as possible of the name and address of the facility where you were held; notify the authorities in Lesotho and obtain a report and if your credit card is used by the scammer call your credit card company to report the fraud; they will likely request a copy of the police report to cancel the transaction.

Spiked Food and Beverages – Never ever leave food or beverages unattended or in the care of complete strangers whilst taking a trip in Lesotho or anywhere else. Watch out for accepting snacks, drinks, gum or cigarettes from unknown acquaintances. These items might have drugs that can put you at risk of sexual assault and robbery.

What is the entry/exit requirements for Lesotho?

Every nation or territory chooses who can enter or exit through its borders, in the same manner Lesotho determines who enter its borders. The Government of your home country can not step in on your behalf if you do not meet your Lesotho’s entry or exit requirements.

To read more regarding the entry/exit requirement for Lesotho browse through visa requirements for Lesotho or obtain the most recent information with the visa office at the Basotho consulate in your home country.

Travel insurance policy for Lesotho

Travel health cover is just one of the main reasons visitors get travel insurance policy. It will not prevent you getting sick or injured, though it can avoid you being affected financially. Medical support overseas can be very expensive.

You need to shell out for all treatment you obtain overseas. You can not expect to get free or subsidised treatment through your Lesotho’s public health system, like you would in your home country.

If you can not pay, local authorities might detain you. The government from your home country can’t pay you medical bill for you, loan you money or get you out of jail.

You require travel insurance policy for travelling to Lesotho . You also need to make certain you pick a policy that is right for you.

Read through the small print of your travel insurance policy.

Declare all pre-existing conditions to your travel insurer upfront. If you do not, you might invalidate your travel insurance coverage.

Inform your travel insurance company the activities you intend to do, prior to you go. Many common activities like skiing are left out in standard policies. You might need to pay added.

Check if you have complimentary credit card travel insurance coverage. Some cards include travel insurance cover. However, they often have various conditions than paid plans. Be aware of the differences.

If you’re going to Lesotho from a country that has a reciprocatory healthcare agreement, you still need travel health insurance. Agreements are limited in what they’ll will cover.

If you have a terminal health problem, you might not be able to obtain standard travel insurance. Nonetheless you might have the ability to get a specialised insurance company that covers you for health, mishaps or property troubles unconnected to your ailment. Speak to your insurer to learn.

Find out more about obtaining international travel insurance for Lesotho prior to you go.

© 2021 Government Travel Advice

• Terms and Conditions
• Privacy Policy

Current travel advisories for Lesotho

Hinweis: der Gesamtscore für dieses Land gibt aktuell einen falschen Wert aus. Bitte prüft die Quellen. Note: the total score for this country shows a wrong value. Please check the sources.

Last Update: Saturday, 27. April 2024 at 08:23

• World Overview
• Southern Africa

We advice caution when travelling to Lesotho.

Current situation : 3 / 5, bordering countries: 3.4 / 5.

Lesotho shares a land border with South Africa . For this country, the Danger Index is 3.4 . See danger map of the region.

Current informationen on Covid-19

The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control currently reports of no cases of COVID-19 (infection with SARS-CoV-2 or Coronavirus).

Source: www.ecdc.europa.eu

Single advisories / travel warnings

New zealand government.

Quelle: https://www.safetravel.govt.nz/lesotho

National warning: This advisory covers the whole country.

Brief summary: If you are planning international travel at this time, please read our COVID-19 related travel advice here, alongside our destination specific travel advice below.

Danger level: 0

Us american government.

Quelle: http://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories/lesotho-travel-advisory.html

Brief summary: Reissued with obsolete COVID-19 page links removed.           Exercise normal precautions in Lesotho. Read the country information page for additional information on travel to Lesotho.

Danger level: 1

Canadian government.

Quelle: https://travel.gc.ca/destinations/lesotho

Brief summary: The Canadian goverment suggests: Exercise a high degree of caution.

Danger level: 3

Exercise a high degree of caution.

Finnish government

Quelle: https://um.fi/resemeddelande/-/c/LS

Brief summary: Iaktta särskild försiktighet - Det oklara säkerhetsläget fortsätter. Plötsliga förändringar kan ske. Undvik att röra dig ensam eller ute när det är mörkt. Många hiv-positiva bland befolkningen.

Travel with higher caution..

If there is more than one advisory/message of a single government for a given country, it indicates regional differences in means of security for your personal health and well-being. Single messages can indicate specific regions to be safer or less safe as mentioned in the main advisory. In these cases it's advisable to consult your own governments information. Additional Disclaimer: Since the evaluation is an automated process, it can only provide first steps for your own research. Please make sure to consult the sources.

Warnindex Description

Advertising

Country information

Country flag.

Basic facts

Airports in Lesotho (extern)

Frequently asked questions

This section gives some brief answers to common questions regarding travel safety in Lesotho.

Is Lesotho safe to travel in 2020?

We see a slighty raised risk with traveling to Lesotho. The risk index is at 3 (out of 5). We recommend you check the single sources.

How many countries have issued advisories for Lesotho?

We currently know of 5 countries having issued advisories for Lesotho.

What countries does Lesotho share land borders with?