Money and payments
Cards and cash
There are ATMs at banks in most towns, although you will not find them elsewhere.
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Africa · Southern AfricaOutline guideCountry in Southern Africa
Photo: Paramente Phamotse, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Lesotho is a small landlocked country entirely surrounded by South Africa. It is known as the "Kingdom in the Sky" because the entire country is at a high altitude. Its lowest point is 1,388 m above sea level; no other country in the world has its lowest point above 1,000 m. Lesotho is a fantastic adventure holiday destination because of its smiling and resourceful people and bracing climate.
Answers to what travellers most often look up about Lesotho.
Cards and cash
There are ATMs at banks in most towns, although you will not find them elsewhere.
English, Sotho
The official languages are Sesotho and English.
The networks are good, and both have 4G options.
Mobile networks
The HIV/AIDS incidence rate in Lesotho is the 3rd highest in the world at around 25% or 1 in 4 people infected. Even more worrying is the prevalence rate of around 50% for women under 40 in urban areas.
Try to learn a few Sesotho words before travelling to Lesotho. The locals appreciate a foreigner who has made the effort to learn their language.
Attractions, food, stays and travel essentials, with ratings, reviews, opening hours and directions.
the capital
regional market hub, with great craft shopping
Mafeteng is a city of 40,000 people (2016) in Lesotho. It is the capital of the district by the same name.
Mohale's Hoek is a town in southern Lesotho. It is set among the rolling hills and valleys of southern Lesotho.
Mokhotlong is a city in Lesotho
fantastic rock art nearby
the craft centre of Lesotho
Thaba-Tseka is a city of about 15,000 people (2016) in Lesotho.
ski and mountain resort for skiing in winter (June - September) and mountain adventure sport in summer (October - April). One of the few places in Africa to go skiing.
4x4 road into Lesotho from Underberg, with places to stay and activities at the top
remote mountain reserve great for hiking with rare wildlife, impressive waterfalls, and ancient rock paintings and stone shelters
sub-alpine national park at the foot of the Holomo Pass. Home to one of the few remaining Che-Che (old wood) forests, with hiking trails and pristine rock pools and rivers
pony-trekking and the impressive Katse Dam
pony-trekking
Maloti Drakensberg Park is located along South Africa’s border with the mountain Kingdom of Lesotho.
museum, dinosaur footprints
Places in Lesotho on the World Heritage List.
List from Wikidata (CC0). Photos from Wikimedia Commons.
Public transport and paid services in Lesotho.
By minibus taxi
As with most of Africa the minibus 'taxi' (aka combi or Toyota Hiace) is the transport of the people.
By car
It is also possible to hire a car and travel around. The Sun hotels in Maseru both have hire car places, as does the airport.
By plane
Apps for booking a taxi or a ride in Lesotho.
Finding apps for Lesotho…
Choose an airport to see hotels, stations, taxi ranks and car rental desks around it.
Maseru(Mazenod) · International · MSU
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Calculated from climate averages: mild daytime highs and lower rainfall. It does not account for festivals, crowds or prices.
Average conditions in Maseru
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg. high | 28° | 27° | 25° | 21° | 17° | 14° | 14° | 17° | 22° | 25° | 26° | 28° |
| Avg. low | 14° | 13° | 11° | 7° | 4° | 0° | 0° | 2° | 5° | 9° | 10° | 13° |
| Rainfall (mm) | 102 | 92 | 74 | 63 | 22 | 21 | 8 | 22 | 19 | 61 | 84 | 103 |
| Humidity | 57% | 60% | 60% | 61% | 57% | 58% | 53% | 49% | 41% | 46% | 50% | 54% |
Choose your passport and destination to see whether you need a visa.
Budget
$40
Per person, per day
Mid-range
$105
Per person, per day
Luxury
$280
Per person, per day
| Budget | Mid-range | Luxury | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | $20 | $60 | $165 |
| Food and drink | $10 | $20 | $50 |
| Local transport | $5 | $10 | $25 |
| Activities | $5 | $15 | $40 |
Estimate from World Bank price levels (2025). Actual costs vary by city and season. World Bank
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We do not label countries as safe or unsafe. Below is the official advice from two governments, with the date it was last updated. Always read the full advice before you travel.
US Department of State
Level 2 of 4Exercise increased caution
Exercise increased cautionin Lesotho due to crime and health. Crime Crime is common in Lesotho. Armed robberies and carjackings happen from time to time. Local police may not have enough resources to respond quickly when crimes occur. Health Lesotho’s health infrastructure is inadequate. Health facilities, services, hygiene, and quality control do not meet U.S. standards of care. Pharmacies are neither well-regulated nor well stocked. Locally available medications may be unsafe. Travelers have the option to enter South Africa for health services. Make sure you have medical or travel insurance that includes medical evacuation. Bring enough prescription medications to last the entire duration of your trip. Review the Health section in the Travel Guidance for Lesotho. Review our information on Travel Insurance.
UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
No advice against travel. Read the full advice before you go.
Before you travel No travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide. You may also find it helpful to: see general advice for women travellers read our guide on disability and travel abroad see general advice for LGBT+ travellers read about safety for solo and independent travel see advice on volunteering and adventure travel abroad Travel insurance If you choose to travel, research your destinations and get appropriate travel insurance. Insurance should cover your itinerary, planned activities and expenses in an emergency. About FCDO travel advice The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) provides advice about risks of travel to help you make informed decisions. Find out more about FCDO travel advice. Get travel advice updates Sign up to get email notifications when this travel advice is updated. Follow FCDO: travel advice on X travel advice on Facebook Travel Aware on Instagram
Stories, itineraries and practical advice for travelling in Lesotho.
ItinerariesThe Sani Pass is a route into Lesotho from Underberg, South Africa, with breathtaking views. There are places to stay and activities at the top.
Wikivoyage
Nature & adventureMany of these parks are on the UNESCO World Heritage List. They can be visited for safaris, to see the African flora and fauna.
Wikivoyage
Travel tipsIn geography, enclaves and exclaves are territory which (respectively) is surrounded by land which belongs to some other nation or is separated from its own parent country by foreign territory.
Wikivoyage
Nature & adventureAs of 2023 the UNESCO World Network of Biosphere Reserves is made up of 738 reserves in 134 countries of which 22 are transboundary.
Wikivoyage
Travel tipsMonarchy is a form of government where the head of state, a monarch, is appointed for life, usually through heredity. In an absolute monarchy the monarch has uninhibited power.
Wikivoyage
Nature & adventureThis article is specifically about downhill (Alpine) skiing; for cross-country skiing, see Cross country skiing.
Wikivoyage
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