Sub Saharan Africa

• Travel Summary
• Safety and security
• Local laws and customs
• Entry requirements

• Health
• General
 

• There is no British High Commission in Lesotho, but there is a British Honorary Consul who can be contacted in consular emergencies only. All other enquiries should be directed to the British High Commission in Pretoria. See the contact details of this Travel Advice.
  
  
• Most visits to Lesotho are trouble-free.  Four British nationals required consular assistance in 2010/11, including two cases of lost or stolen passports.
  
  
• There is a low threat from terrorism, but you should be aware of the global risk of indiscriminate terrorist attacks which could be in public areas, including those frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers. See Terrorism.
  
  
• You should take out comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling. See General - Insurance.
  

Safety and Security - Terrorism

There is a low threat from terrorism, but you should be aware of the global risk of indiscriminate terrorist attacks which could be in public areas, including those frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers.  See our terrorism abroad page.

Safety and Security - Crime

Gun-related crime in Maseru is increasing.

Muggers in central Maseru frequently target foreign nationals. You are advised not to walk alone in isolated areas or after dark and avoid driving in rural areas at night. Only carry essentials with you and keep valuables out of sight. When driving in urban centres, especially Maseru, keep doors locked, windows shut and valuables out of sight. Park in well-lit areas and do not pick up strangers. Take care at the approaches to main border crossings, particularly at night.

Armed car-jacking is also increasing.

There are occasional armed robberies in Maseru. If you are involved in such an incident, offer no resistance.

Take precautions to safeguard valuables and cash. Deposit them in hotel safes, where practicable.  Keep separate copies of important documents, including passports. See our victims of crime abroad page.

Safety and Security - Local Travel

There is no effective public transport system or reliable taxi service in Lesotho.
 
Safety and Security - Local Travel - Road Travel

A British driving licence or International driving licence is valid for use in Lesotho for up to three months.  A local driving licence must then be obtained.

Driving standards in Lesotho are poor and you should drive carefully.  Local mini-bus taxis are often poorly maintained and uninsured, and ignore road safety rules. Animals roaming on the roads are a hazard, especially at night.

See our driving abroad page.

Safety and Security - Local Travel - Air Travel

The European Commission has published a list of air carriers that are subject to an operating ban or restrictions within the European Union.  You should check the following link to see whether this will affect your travel - European Commission Transport - air.

For more general information see airline security.

Safety and Security - Political Situation

There are occasionally spontaneous political demonstrations in Maseru.   You should avoid demonstrations, rallies and large public gatherings as a precaution.

Lesotho country profile

Homosexuality is illegal.  Possession of drugs is a serious offence and punishments can be severe.  See our your trip page.

Entry Requirements - Visas

British nationals can obtain entry visas on arrival.  Overstaying without proper authority is a serious matter.  You may be held in detention.

Entry Requirements - Passport Validity

You must hold a valid passport to enter Lesotho. Your passport must be valid for a minimum period of 90 days from the date of exit from Lesotho. You must have at least two spare pages to allow the immigration authorities to affix visa stamps.

Entry Requirements - Travelling with children

For information on exactly what will be required at immigration please contact the Lesotho High Commission in London.

Entry Requirements - South Africa

If you intend to visit South Africa before or after Lesotho you should be aware that whilst South African authorities state officially that only one blank passport page is required for entry, there have been reports of some South African officials insisting on two blank pages.  We recommend you have two blank pages.

Lesotho has only very basic medical facilities.  Expatriates use the medical facilities in Bloemfontein, South Africa, a 90-minute drive (140km) from Maseru.

In the 2010 Report on the Global AIDS Epidemic the UNAIDS/WHO Working Group estimated that around 260,000 adults aged 15 or over in Lesotho were living with HIV; the prevalence percentage was estimated at around 23.6% of the adult population compared to the prevalence percentage in adults in the UK of around 0.2%.  You should exercise normal precautions to avoid exposure to HIV/AIDS.  See our HIV and AIDS page.

You should seek medical advice before travelling to Lesotho and ensure that all appropriate vaccinations are up-to-date.  For further information on vaccination requirements, health outbreaks and general disease protection and prevention you should visit the websites of the National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC) or NHS Scotland's Fit For Travel or call NHS Direct on 0845 46 47. 

See our Travel Health page.

General - Insurance

You should take out comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling, including cover for medical evacuation by air. Check for any exclusions and that your policy covers you for all the activities you want to undertake. See our Travel Insurance page.

If things do go wrong when you are overseas see our When Things Go Wrong page.

General - Registration

Register with our LOCATE service to tell us when and where you are travelling abroad or where you live abroad so our consular and crisis staff can provide better assistance to you in an emergency.

General - Representation

There is no British High Commission in Lesotho, but there is a British Honorary Consul in Maseru, who can be contacted in consular emergencies only: 
Peter Barrett
Sentinel Park
United Nations Road
Maseru
Lesotho  
Telephone: (266) 2231 5537
Mobile: (266) 5885 1210
Facsimile: (266) 2232 6237
E-mail: barrett@leo.co.ls

All other enquiries should be directed to the British High Commission in Pretoria, which covers Lesotho. You can apply for new passports at the Consular Section of the British High Commission in Pretoria in person or by courier (you pay the charges if you use a courier).

General - Money

A couple of ATMs in Lesotho have the facility to accept international ATM cards but are unreliable (First National Bank and Standard Bank). Credit cards are not widely accepted. You should take traveller's cheques or South African Rand in cash, which circulates as an official currency in Lesotho along with the Maloti.