Lesotho - Traveller information

Local laws and conventions: Religion plays an important part in daily life and visitors should respect local laws; wearing immodest dress will cause offence.

Possession of drugs is illegal and penalties for drug offences are severe.

Taking photographs of police stations, government offices, the airport or banks is prohibited.

If visiting rural villages it is polite to inform the head chief. Normal social courtesies are appreciated. Dress should be practical and casual but respectful and modest.

Businessmen should wear a lightweight suit, shirt and tie, and businesswomen should dress conservatively and modestly. The usual business formalities apply. Office hours are Mon–Fri 0800–1245 and 1400–1630, Sat 0800–1300.

Immigration and customs: Visitors from South Africa, Zimbabwe, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland, Ireland, the UK, Germany, France, Italy, Switzerland, The Netherlands, Canada, Israel and Japan can enter the country for up to 30 days without a visa. Other nationals should check with their Lesotho consulate for visa requirements. Those who overstay their visa may be held in detention.

Passports should be valid for at least six months following departure and must have spare pages for affixing visas.

Lone parents travelling with children should carry documentary evidence of parental responsibility.

A yellow fever certificate will be required from all those travelling from infected areas even if they do not leave the airport.

Those planning on travelling through South Africa should check South African regulations.

Travel within the country: Traffic drives on the left. Car hire is available in Maseru with an international driving permit. Paved roads connect the main towns but outside these areas the road network is underdeveloped and the terrain often difficult. Animals roaming on the road are a hazard, especially at night.

A good bus network connects the major towns but can be slow. Minibuses are quicker but can only be used for shorter distances. All buses are non-smoking.

There is no passenger rail service in Lesotho.

Travel health: Visitors will need comprehensive travel insurance that includes medical evacuation.

Vaccination requirements should be checked well in advance of travel (visit www.nathnac.org/travel/index.htm): diphtheria, Hepatitis A, tetanus and typhoid are generally required.

Tap water is considered safe to drink in the towns but in rural areas bottled water is advised. Milk is pasteurised.

Money: There are few ATMs in Lesotho that accept international cards. Credit cards are not widely accepted. Visitors should take travellers cheques or South African rand, which circulates as an official currency along with the maloti. Banking hours are Mon–Tues and Thur–Fri 0830–1530, Wed 0830–1300 and Sat 0830–1100.

There were 303,578 tourist arrivals in 2005.