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Lesotho Practical information Lesotho

 
 
Area : 11720  sq.mi - Population 2125262 hab.
Lesotho

Our expert Lesotho

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map Lesotho

Weather

  • Maseru  18°C 17°C 16°C 15°C

Practical information Lesotho

superficie

Area

11720  sq.mi
vol

Flights

There are no direct flights London-Maseru. The flight via Johannesburg takes approximately 13 hrs. Johannesburg is 5,600 mi from London.
decallage horaire

Jet Lag

population

Population

2125262 hab.
aeroports proche

Airports

Mosheshoe Ier, the international airport, is in Thoteng-ea-Moli, 11 miles south of Maseru. There are buses or minibus taxis which go into town and the journey takes around 30 minutes and costs 2 to 6 USD. At the airport you will find exchange offices, left luggage lockers, bars, restaurants and car rentals. A 3.50 USD airport tax is to be paid on your departure.
securite

Security

After widespread unrest two years ago, Lesotho is now relatively calm. However, it is recommended that you travel with someone who knows the country and that you don't stay out late. During austral summer, storms are very violent and lightning strikes can be fatal.
Useful contacts:
Police : 123 123.
Maseru Consulate Office: 325 722 325 722. (fax : 310.475).
(alliance française's guard): 857 932.
British High Commission Maseru : 313 961 313 961.
French embassy in Pretoria : (00.27) 12.429.70.00.
langue

Languages

The official languages are Sotho and English. The population also speaks Zulu.
formalites

Requirements

European citizens are not required to have a visa. Your passport must be valid (for 6 months).

religion

Religion

93 % of the population are Christians (Catholic, Evangelic, or Anglican), 7% are Animists. A Muslim minority has a mosque in Butha-Buthe.
monnaie

Currency

The currency is the Loti (LSL), or Maloti in the plural, which consists of 100 Lisente. £1 Sterling = 11.02 LSL.

There is no restriction on the import and export of foreign currency. Credit cards and travellers cheques can only be used inMaseru. Bank opening hours: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 8:30am to 3:30pm, Wednesdays from 8:30am to 1:00pm and Saturdays from 8:30am to 11:00am.

transports

Local transportation

Internal flights are provided by Lesotho Airways, departing from Maseru. There are no trains, but buses are quite cheap and very uncomfortable.
Cars can also be rented at Maseru, but only a limited number of roads are tarred (about 373 miles overall) and in most cases it is advisable to use 4-wheel-drive cars. You must have an international driving license with you and remember that they drive on the left in Lesotho. The minimum age to be able to rent a car is 21.
sante

Health

Even though no vaccination is required, you are recommended to check that you are up to date on the following vaccines: diphtheria, poliomyelitis and tetanus. For long or repeated stays, the following vaccines are also recommended: hepatitis A and B, typhoid and rabies (for longer stays in remote areas). For yellow fever, a vaccination is required for travellers who come from countries affected by the disease.

There is no malaria thanks to the high altitude. Only drink sterilised ormineral water (with the cap taken off in front of you). Do not eat raw or half-cooked food and take all food precautions to avoid 'tourist dysentery'.
The availability of medical care in Lesotho is limited, it is therefore advised that sick and wounded people are sent away- in the direction of South Africa (Ladybrand Hospital is 15 minutes from Maseru and private hospitals and medical centres in Bloemfontein are 1hr 30mins from Maseru by road). Insurance which covers the travel costs from Lesotho to South Africa as well as the medical care received in the country is strongly recommended. It is also possible to benefit from the United Nations' Medical Services.

Consult a doctor before your departure, and repatriation insurance could be a good idea.

Useful numbers:
Maseru Private Hospital: 313.260.
Bloemfontein Medi-Clinic: 51 404 6666.
Queen Elizabeth II Hospital: 322.501.

electricite

Electricity

Voltage is 220 V. Take a multi-plug adapter to plug in your appliances.
frequentation

Flood of tourists

taxe

Taxes and tips

telephone

Telephone

To call Lesotho from the UK: dial 00 + 266 + number you are calling.
To call from Lesotho to the UK: Dial 00 +44 + number you are calling (without the initial 0).