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Lesotho

Lesotho Tours & Vacations

Huts in lesotho malealea street village near mountain and cultivation field on a sunny day

Nestled in the heart of South Africa, Lesotho is the ‘Kingdom in the Sky’.

This little landlocked country offers a pocket-sized package of stunning mountain scenery, hiking opportunities and wildlife spotting. With a fascinating cultural heritage and ample opportunity to get back to nature, Lesotho is a slice of mountain paradise.

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Lesotho at a glance

CAPITAL CITY
Maseru (population 228,000)

POPULATION
2 million

CURRENCY
Loti (LSL)

LANGUAGE
Sesotho, English

TIME ZONE
(GMT+02:00) Harare, Pretoria

CALLING CODE
+266

ELECTRICITY
Type M (see D)

Learn more about Lesotho

Best time to visit Lesotho

A graph showing average monthly temperatures in Lesotho

There’s no bad time to visit Lesotho. October to April tends to be wetter, while winter (May to September) can be cold, dropping below freezing at night. The climate is mostly temperate all year round.

Geography and environment

Lesotho is completely surrounded by South Africa. Perched on the highest part of the Drakensburg escarpment, this mountainous kingdom is filled with valleys and peaks. The lowland areas, which still soar 3280 feet above sea level, are home to most of the population, while the Highlands are a magnet for adventurers looking to hike or pony trek between villages.

Top 5 mountain activities in Lesotho

1. Hiking

Pull on your boots and head to the hills to explore Lesotho’s mountains. The views are spectacular and you’re more likely to encounter a waterfall or San Bushman rock art than another human being.

2. Meet the Basotho

Take a walk through Malealea Village and leave with a bevvy of new friends. Curious kids and friendly adults will proudly show you around and introduce you to their traditions.

3. Pony trekking

If you prefer four legs to two, then there’s nowhere better to get on a horse (or pony) and ride than Lesotho. Set out with a guide to explore the countryside on a short or overnight trek.

4. Explore canyons

Take a hike to the stunning Pitseng Canyon. Walk under overhanging cliff faces and past cascading rockpools where, if it’s warm enough, you can take a dip.

5. Wildlife spotting

Lesotho boasts some spectacular wildlife-spotting opportunities. Keep an eye out for rare birds, vultures, meerkats, jackals, mountain reedbuck and baboons.

Lesotho travel FAQs

Entry permits are issued free of charge on arrival for most nationalities, including foreign nationals from the EU, US and Australia. All nationalities should check with their nearest Lesotho Embassy for more information.

A service charge of 10-15% may be added to your bill. If not, tipping is at your discretion.

Most hotels and guesthouses, shopping malls and cafes will have Wi-Fi. Connections can be slow or intermittent in more remote and rural areas.

Cell phone reception is good in urban areas. Ensure you have global roaming activated with your carrier if you wish to use your phone. Roaming fees are often expensive, so check beforehand and perhaps consider buying a local SIM instead.

Lesotho has a combination of modern flushable toilets and squat/pit toilets, depending on where you are traveling and staying. Generally large hotels, modern restaurants and city cafes have flushable toilets, while remote areas have squat toilets.

Tap water is considered safe to drink, however, outside main towns it’s advised to sterilize or filter the water. For environmental reasons, try to avoid bottled water. Ask your leader where filtered water can be found.

Most credit cards are widely accepted in hotels, shops and restaurants, but it's best to check with your bank before you depart.

ATMs are available in most main towns, but they can be unreliable. You can also withdraw cash from a bank using your card.

Yes, all Intrepid trips support the Intrepid Foundation. Trips to this country directly support our global Intrepid Foundation partners, Eden Reforestation Projects and World Bicycle Relief. Intrepid will double the impact by dollar-matching all post-trip donations made to The Intrepid Foundation.

World Bicycle Relief

World Bicycle Relief provides people in low-income communities with bicycles to mobilize school kids, health workers, and farmers in far-out areas – giving them access to vital education, healthcare, and income. Donations help provide Buffalo Bicycles – specifically designed to withstand the rugged terrain and harsh environment of rural regions – to those who need them most.

Find out more or make a donation

Absolutely. All passengers traveling with Intrepid are required to purchase travel insurance before the start of their trip. Your travel insurance details will be recorded by your leader on the first day of the trip. Due to the varying nature, availability and cost of health care around the world, travel insurance is very much an essential and necessary part of every journey.

For more information on insurance, please go to: Travel Insurance

Intrepid takes the health and safety of its travelers seriously and takes every measure to ensure that trips are safe, fun and enjoyable for everyone. We recommend that all travelers check with their government or national travel advisory organization for the latest information before departure:

From Australia?

Go to: Smart Traveler

From Canada?

Go to: Canada Travel Information

From the UK?

Go to: UK Foreign Travel Advice

From New Zealand?

Go to: Safe Travel

From the US?

Go to: US Department of State

The World Health Organisation also provides useful health information.

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Lesotho Tours & Vacations

Our Lesotho trips

Lesotho at a glance

CAPITAL CITY

POPULATION

CURRENCY

LANGUAGE

TIME ZONE

CALLING CODE

ELECTRICITY

Learn more about Lesotho

1. Hiking

2. Meet the Basotho

3. Pony trekking

4. Explore canyons

5. Wildlife spotting

Lesotho travel FAQs

Do I need a visa to travel to Lesotho?

Is tipping customary in Lesotho?

What is the internet access like in Lesotho?

Can I use my cell phone while in Lesotho?

What are the toilets like in Lesotho?

Can I drink the tap water in Lesotho?

Are credit cards accepted widely in Lesotho?

What is ATM access like in Lesotho?

Does my trip support The Intrepid Foundation?

Do I need to purchase travel insurance before traveling?

How do I stay safe and healthy while traveling?