Linda & Marc - South African Explorer

Commonly known as ‘The Kingdom in the Sky’ due to its dramatically high altitude, Lesotho is rather unique in that it is entirely surrounded by South Africa. This tiny and spectacularly mountainous kingdom makes for a wonderful adventure getaway with excellent pony trekking, hiking, rock climbing, fishing, abseiling, birdwatching, mountain biking and even snow skiing on offer. The country’s highlands boast magnificent mountain scenery, clean mountain air, and a myriad of impressive sparkling waterfalls and clean streams. Don’t miss the opportunity to learn about the fascinating local cultures, particularly in the isolated Basotho villages, where a traditional way of life is still celebrated. Itinerary favourites in Lesotho also include the highest waterfall in southern Africa, the Maletsunyane Falls, and the modern yet traditional capital city of Maseru.

Currency:  
Local currency: Loti. The South African Rand is also accepted (LSL1 = ZAR1) 
Symbol: LSL 
ISO code: LSO 
Subunit: Cent  
Banknotes: LSL200, 100, 50, 20, 10 
Coins: LSL500, 200, 100, 50, 25, 10, 5, 2, 1 

Banking:  
Card Transactions:  
ATMs: Yes 
Mastercard: Yes 
Visa: Yes 
American Express: Yes 
Diner’s club: Yes 
 
Banking Hours:  
Weekdays: 08h30 - 15h30 
Weekends: Saturdays 08h30 - 12h30 
Public Holidays: Yes/No *(If yes, add hours)  
Foreign exchange services: Yes/No  

Air:  
Main airlines: Mohahlaula Airlines   
International Airports: Moshoeshoe I International Airport 
Domestic Airports: Mejametalana Airport 

Road: 
Tar roads: Few 
Gravel roads: Yes  
Valid International Driver's License needed: Yes. National driving licenses in English or with a certified translation are valid for 3 months.  
Car hire available: Yes 
Taxis: Yes 
Uber available: No 
 
Bus:  
Inter-city bus services: Yes, but run according to when it is full rather than a schedule  
Local city bus networks: No 
 
Rail:  
Railway system: No 
Subway System: No 
 
Water:  
Ferries: No 
Water taxis: No  
Leisure cruises: No  

Food and water safety:  
Can you drink the tap water: Yes, in cities 
Fresh fruit and veg: Yes 
Ice: Yes, in cities 
Meat: Yes 
Street food: Yes, in cities 
 
Local cuisine: Basotho traditional foods are generally less spicy than other African countries. Popular dishes include Oxtail stew, “Braai” (barbecue), kebabs, curries, and seafood. Make sure to try the Borotho, a traditional African bread that originates here.  

Drinks: Maluti beer, traditional ginger beer 
 
Tipping: It is customary to leave a good tip. There is no set percentage. 
 

Annual rainfall: 761.2 mm 
Average temperature: 12.8°C 

Summer:  
Average in highs: 27°C  
Average in lows: 13°C  
 
Winter:  
Average in highs: 15°C  
Average in lows: -0.5°C  
 
Best time to visit: Summer is mild here when compared to several other African countries, but visiting towards the beginning (October or November) - or the end of the summer season (March to April) will mean less chance of rain or very high temperatures. Excellent skiing opportunities can be found in July, August and September. 

Spring and Summer
Cool, light, breathable and comfortable: Yes
Lightweight warm clothes: Yes

Winter and Autumn  

Jerseys, cardigans, sweaters, jackets: Yes/No  
Heavyweight clothing and boots: Yes/No  
 
General  
Umbrella and raincoat: Yes 
Warm gloves, hat and scarf: Yes 
Swimming costume (bathing suit): Yes 
Hat, sunglasses and sunblock: Yes 
Walking shoes: Yes 
Casual: Yes 
Smart-casual attire: Yes 

Internet cafes: Yes, in Maseru   
Accommodation options: Sometimes 
Restaurants: Sometimes 
Cafes: Sometimes in Maseru 
Shopping malls: No 
Public parks: No 
Libraries: Yes, in Maseru