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Travel information and tips on Lesotho including passport information, accommodations, transportation to and in Lesotho, attractions and things to see and do, restaurant suggestions, tours, and much more. "Getting Away With Jim Bruner" - your first stop for travel information on Lesotho!
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Click on any one of the following below for specific information on getting around Lesotho; attractions, museums, tours, and other places to go and things to see and do; some ideas for accommodations and dining; and some of my favorite things in Lesotho.
General
Information for Lesotho |
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Here
is a quick overview on Lesotho
Passports and Visas
Money Matters
Health Information
Time and Climate
Electricity and Weights and Measures
Travel Warnings
Passports and
Visas
Citizens of most Western countries, Japan, Israel, the USA and most Commonwealth
countries are granted an entry permit (free) at the border. The standard stay
permitted is two weeks, although if you ask for longer you might get it.
However, you should have your passport to enter the commonwealth of Lesotho.
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Passport Visa Express specializes in obtaining Passports for United States Citizens who wish to travel internationally within the next 30 days. We work directly with the U.S. Passport Agency assisting you in expediting your passport application in as fast as the same day! Our passport consultants have many years of direct experience working with the Passport Agency. |
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Currency and
Money Matters
The currency, called the loti (plural: maloti - the loti is divided into 100
lisente), is at a fixed value against the South African rand, and rands are
accepted everywhere you go here so, if you're coming from South Africa, there'll
be no need to change your money. When cashing travelers checks, you can request
rand, which saves having to convert unused loti later. Credit cards are accepted
in the capital, but travelers checks and cash are required for many purchases.
Lesotho is a fairly inexpensive place to travel, at least it is compared to surrounding South Africa. The cheapest rooms are nothing to write home about but, for a little bit more, you can have an ensuite room, some even with air conditioning. Meals also start off very cheap and progress up a bit, but hardly ever to expensive. If you're in the capital, Maseru, staying and eating at the low end of the market and enjoy doing the city by foot, you could scrape by on about US$10 a day. The slow but far-reaching bus network will cost between US$0.50 and $4 per trip. Car hire is around US$40 a day for a small car. If you're traveling around in a hire-car, staying at up-market hotels and eating steak, you could go through US$150 a day. Here are some estimated prices for meals and lodging: Meals -- Budget: US$0.60-2; Mid-range: US$2-4. Top-end: US$4 and upwards. Lodging -- Budget: US$2.50-10; Mid-range: US$10-35; Top-end: US$35-70.
Tipping is mandatory in South Africa, and the practice is therefore common in Lesotho as well with about 10% being the norm. When added to the GST of 10%, your bill can end up a lot more than the quoted price. Bargaining, especially in the open air markets, is commonplace and can be a lot of fun. Currency Exchange - Get your currency needs managed in advance! Many airports, railroad stations, bus depots, and other points of entry have no currency exchange. When currency exchange is available in airports, lines can be long and rates can be "sky high". These long waits and usurious fees can be a nightmare. Order in advance from All Foreign Currency right online. It's fast, easy, and you save time and money! The can also provide you with Travelers' checks, bank drafts, and transfers. U.S. dollars are not accepted everywhere and rates can be atrocious! Current Exchange Rate: Check Today's Exchange Rate
Health Risks
Aside from the possibility of contaminated drinking water in remote areas,
Lesotho shares with South Africa a pretty good record on health. Still, I would
carry (and drink) bottled water. Malaria is unknown due to the higher altitude,
however precautions should still be taken, especially since nearby countries are
susceptible.
If you need medical care while you are away, it is best to be aware that medical providers may not accept payment through your insurance company and that you will therefore to pay in full for your treatment and file a claim with your insurance company for reimbursement. Therefore you should have access to cash, either from a credit card or by wire transfer. If you need assistance contact the country's local embassy or representative. For compensation, you must be treated by licensed medical personnel and provide your insurance company with proper documentation and receipts. It is advisable to always ensure you have a comprehensive travel insurance policy which covers you for repatriation to your home country. Visit the Getting Away Health and Safety Tips for Travelers page for additional information about insurance.
Time and Climate
The local time is GMT/UTC + 2 hours. Weather is probably the main consideration
for travelers deciding the best time to go, and if you don't mind getting a
little wet, it doesn't much matter. However, you should be cautious of the
frequent storms and lightning strikes. Incredible thunderstorms are common
during the summer in Lesotho, with deadly lightning strikes reported every year.
October to April is when you will find the most rainfall. Snow occurs in the
highlands from May to September. Yet despite the incredible storms, Lesotho
usually boasts clear blue skies and more than 300 days of sunshine each year.
Nearly all of Lesotho's rain falls in the summer, between October and April. It's beautiful and warm when the sun comes out, but mountain areas can be foggy and freezing and you should be very cautious of freezing overnight temperatures if you are camping as it can be quite nice when you first settle in, and very cold before the night is through.
Electricity
and Weights and Measures
The electricity is 220/240V, 50Hz. Be sure to
take your adaptor and converter kit. Find the converter you will need in the
Getting Away
Travel Store. Additionally, you will find just about anything and
everything you will need when you travel. Across the state, country, or
to a destination on the other side of the world, you'll find what you
need in the Getting
Away Travel Store!
They are on the metric system.
Travel Warnings are issued to describe long-term, protracted conditions that make a country dangerous or unstable. A Travel Warning is also issued when the U.S. Government's ability to assist American citizens is constrained due to the closure of an embassy or consulate or because of a drawdown of its staff. The countries listed below meet those criteria. Additionally, the State Department issues Country Specific Information for every country of the world with information on such matters as the health conditions, crime, unusual currency or entry requirements, any areas of instability, and the location of the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate in the subject country. Check with the U.S. State Department for Travel Warnings, Consular Information Sheets & Public Announcements.
Getting
To and Around in Lesotho
Getting There
South African Airways flies daily between Moshoeshoe
international airport and Johannesburg. There's a departure tax of US$3.50.
As there are no direct buses between major South African cities and Maseru, you will need to take a bus to Bloemfontein or Ladybrand and catch a minibus taxi from there. Minibus taxis run between Jo'burg and Maseru and buses from Maseru for South African destinations leave from the bridge on the South African side of the border.
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Getting Around
There is a nice network of buses, but be prepared for long delays
on the road as they are normally pretty slow. Unusual for Africa, all buses are
non-smoking so, don't light up!. Minibuses are slightly quicker, but don't cover
the same distances. Car hire is available in Maseru, but hire rates are
significantly cheaper in South Africa.
There are no trains in Lesotho and with the closing of Lesotho Airways, getting around the country by air is pretty difficult unless you use one of the private charter companies in Maseru.
Cities, Towns and Areas of Lesotho
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Maseru Situated on the western border, Lesotho's capital has been rapidly expanding since the 1970s to its current population of a little over 200,000 people. There are several nightspots frequented by expats who will be happy to give advice about things to do during your stay in return for a beer. Surrounding the capital are 'urban villages', such as Phomolong where you can get a pretty good feel for the more traditional lifestyle of the area. Mokhotlong Also known by the Sephuthi name Moyeni, meaning "Place of the Wind," Quthing is Lesotho's southernmost major town. The town is split in two, with Lower Quthing housing most of the shops and residences, while Upper Quthing, which overlooks Orange River Gorge, is where you can find accommodations along with a mission. Also near Quthing is the Masitise Cave House featuring San paintings, some 180 million year old dinosaur footprints and an interesting old sandstone church. The town is about 80 miles from Maseru. |
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Teyateyaneng
The name means, "Place of Quick Sands," and, while this may not sound
to very good, you will not find yourself slipping under the sands. The town is a
center of the
nation's traditional arts and crafts industries and the place, which is generally
referred to locally as "TY", boasts some of the finest tapestries, tribal
wool products and handcrafts you can find anywhere.. You can reach
Teyateyaneng by minibus taxi from the capital which is about 20 miles to the
north-east.
This was the mountain stronghold of King Moshoeshoe the Great. It is located about 10 miles east of Maseru and is one of the most important historical sites in the country. There is a visitor information center, official guides and good views including one of Qiloane pinnacle which was the inspiration for the shape of the Basotho hat. You can get there by catching a minibus taxi near the Circle in Maseru which will take you as far as the visitors center at the base of the mountain for under US$1.
Things
to See and Do in Lesotho
Believe it or not, one of the most popular activities for
visitors to Lesotho is pony trekking. There are several trekking centers where
you can ride on the tough, sure-footed Basotho ponies. One is located on God
Help Me Pass and, even if you don't ride the ponies, you gotta' buy the t-shirt!
Hiking is also popular but, better be warned, without using the sure-footed ponies,
hiking along this area that is somewhat like the Tibetan plateau can be
treacherous. I would recommend Lesotho for experienced hikers only.
Visitors can also enjoy bird watching and trout fishing
Thaba-Bosiu
This was the mountain stronghold of King Moshoeshoe the Great. It is located
about 10 miles east of Maseru and is one of the most important historical sites in the
country. There is a visitor information center,
official guides and good views including one of Qiloane pinnacle which was the
inspiration for
the shape of the Basotho hat. You can get there by catching a minibus taxi near the Circle in Maseru
which will take you as far as
the visitors center at the base of the mountain for under US$1.
| Jenman African Safaris has one primary focus -- Safari Tours! They offer smaller, more personal and highly interactive safaris and have built a solid reputation for safe, comfortable, reliable and fun-filled tours to Southern Africa’s most spectacular destinations. Selected destinations in Botswana, Lesotho, Mozambique, Nambia, Zambia, South Africa and Swaziland. |
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Suggestions
for Dining in Lesotho
Coming Soon. In the mean time, if you have information you
believe I should add to this section of Getting Away, please send it to me.
mailto:jimbruner@gettingaway.com
Some
Favorites in Lesotho
Coming Soon. In the mean time, if you have information
you believe I should add to this section of Getting Away, please send it to me.
mailto:jimbruner@gettingaway.com
Books and Other Travel Resources for Lesotho
My favorite guidebooks when I am traveling is
Fodor's. I find them to be quite complete, easy to use, and almost always on the
money with helps and tips for traveling in the country I am visiting. Click on
Fodor's Travel Guides
to find the perfect guidebook for your travels.
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I always research the destinations to which I intend to travel with books and maps. I normally use Fodor's as I find their guidebooks very informative and easy to read and understand. Click on the Amazon logo to search for travel books and maps. If you don't find what you are looking for, click on the Getting Away Travel Bookshelf to find some of my favorites! Still can't find what you need? Contact me. mailto:jimbruner@gettingaway.com |
CLICK
HERE for Fodor's South Africa
CLICK
HERE for Africa on a Shoestring
CLICK
HERE for Insight Guides Morocco
CLICK
HERE for Zimbabwe & Botswana, The Rough Guide
CLICK
HERE for West Africa, The Rough Guide
Links for Lesotho
Jenman African
Safaris has one primary focus -- Safari Tours! They offer smaller, more
personal and highly interactive safaris and have built a solid reputation for
safe, comfortable, reliable and fun-filled tours to Southern Africa’s most
spectacular destinations. Selected destinations in Botswana, Lesotho, Mozambique,
Nambia, Zambia, South Africa and Swaziland.
Click here for language helps, dictionaries, electronic translators, language software and other helps for learning a foreign language. Being able to speak at least some of the language in the country you are visiting will help you have a better time and enjoy your trip more. Jim.
