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The Kingdom of Lesotho is normally considered a medium risk country to travel to. If crime occurs, it can however range from petty to violent. With regards to weather, heavy thunderstorms occur in the summer (November to February) and result in several local deaths annually, mainly because weather conditions can change quickly in mountainous regions.
Visitors should plan their Lesotho tour itinerary days ahead and keep an eye out for weather forecasts for the area they are planning a trip to.
Armed robbery, carjacking and residential break-ins may occur, especially in large towns including Leribe, Maputsoe and Maseru. A further problem is that there normally is no police presence in these areas at night.
Driving or walking after dark should be avoided if possible and visitors should never walk alone, even during the day. If you happen to land in a dire situation, do not resist muggers if you are attacked or robbed. It is also advised to always evade eye contact with the mugger, if possible.
Visitors should take extreme care that their valuables, including their passports and other travel documents, are always securely stored.
The country has seen some demonstrations in the past, so visitors should remember that even peaceful demonstrations could turn volatile at any moment. Â This also creates an impact on traffic. It is always wise to monitor local media for information if there are any demonstrations happening or expected.
Due to the poverty situation in the country, crime does occur, so try to avoid visiting the normal tourism attractions or shopping centres in Lesotho while wearing any valuable jewellery.
It is best not to wear any visible jewellery while in crowded areas and wise to not keep your camera and laptops in clear sight. If you want to use your camera while sightseeing, keep it hidden when you are not using it. Â Make use of and listen to your trusted guide as he or she will be able to tell you where the hotspots of crime are in most of the areas.
Double check prices before forking out money for taxi’s, accommodation and food. Rather stay in approved hotels, otherwise you will have to use a lot of negotiation skills not to get duped.
Use official taxis and avoid the others, as the most common problem for tourists in Lesotho is shady taxi drivers who will charge you an arm and a leg for even short distances. Do not fall prey to this and make sure you negotiate a fair deal.
Another piece of valuable advice is to always keep spare change on you while travelling in Lesotho. This may help you in difficult circumstances and help you stay out of trouble.
Violence and political unrest are common in Lesotho, so avoid places which are unsafe for tourists. Don’t put yourself in danger even when you feel adventurous. Rather stay safe at all times and ensure that you have ample opportunity to enjoy your visit to the country.
If at all possible, foreign visitors should try to avoid using minibus taxis; they are often badly maintained and just as often involved in vehicle accidents. When self-driving, remember that there are hardly any roadside assistance services available in the country and very few petrol stations outside the major cities.
It is wise to keep your doors and windows locked at all times. Do not offer rides to hitchhikers, and do not stop for anyone who seems to be in trouble as this may be a decoy method used by criminals to get you out of your vehicle.
The main roads linking Lesotho to South Africa are in good condition, but the secondary dirt roads mostly are in a bad condition. Use of these roads are advised only for four-wheel drive vehicles.
Check the level of security provided at the hotel or accommodation beforehand, before making reservations.
Vehicle theft is common in the capital city of Maseru. Do not leave your vehicle unlocked even for a minute as you are more than likely going to lose the vehicle or its contents. Theft out of motor vehicles are a common crime so make sure you park in a well-guarded area and where there are plenty of people. Better yet, do not leave any valuables visible in your vehicle, also in rural areas.
Keep your doors locked and windows rolled up while driving as well. Carjacking can be a threat in the cities and in the country, so be highly aware of your surroundings when stopping at intersections.
Keep a safe distance between you and the car in front, so that you have space for a quick getaway in the event of a crime.
Always adhere to the following rules of the road and drive defensively. Do not assume that other drivers will do what they are supposed to do.
• Only overtake when it is safe. Never overtake on a blind rise or when a solid white line prohibits it.
• Always check your blind spot before changing lanes, even when the road seems deserted.
• Stay alert and keep an eye on what’s happening around you.
• Always be prepared for any emergencies. Carry an emergency kit with items that will come in handy if you’re stranded on the side of the road or involved in a vehicle accident.
• Watch out for potentially dangerous drivers and pedestrians walking along the road.
• Be on the lookout for obstructions like potholes or animals which may stray into the road, especially at night. It is best to avoid driving at night.
Taking photographs or using video equipment near military and government installations is prohibited. Always ask permission before taking photographs of people in Lesotho.
However, the scenic sites offer a wonderful opportunity to step up on your photographic skills. Â Remember to take some insect repellent and extra batteries as you do not want to lose that priceless shot or contract a disease while shooting it.
If you are part of a tour group, make sure you do not wander off too far from them.
Also keep a garbage bag or anything else that you can use to cover your equipment in the event of unexpected downpours.
All visitors should keep a copy of their passports and identity documents at hand at all times. Try and learn some Sesotho words before going to Lesotho. The locals appreciate a tourist whom they realise has made an effort to learn their language and it may open doors for you.
Always try to respond to people, it is offensive to ignore someone who greets you. As a foreigner, locals will be keen to say hello and show interest in what you are doing in their country. You may get frustrated when dealing with Lesotho government officials but keep calm no matter how ludicrous the situation could get.
When given something always show respect and take items with both hands. Also do not throw food away in public.
LGBT persons in Lesotho face legal challenges not experienced by non-LGBT residents. Lesotho does not recognise same-sex marriages or civil unions, nor does it ban discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity. Homosexuality is no longer prohibited by law, but public outlooks are less accepting than in other Western countries and public displays of affection could attract negative attention.
Possession of drugs is a serious offence and punishments can be severe. Do not offer to carry a package from an unknown of suspicious source in your luggage as you risk being used as a drug mule.
The importation of, among other things, the following goods into Lesotho is completely prohibited. It is illegal to be found in possession of prohibited goods and may result in seizure and prosecution. These include:
• Narcotic, habit-forming drugs and related substances in any form.
• Military firearms, ammunition and explosives
• Indecent and obscene material such as pornographic books, magazines, films, videos, DVDs and software
The following goods may be imported into Lesotho without incurring customs duty: 200 cigarettes and 20 cigars, 250g of tobacco, one litre of spirits and two litres of wine, and 50ml of perfume.
If your passport gets lost, file a police report or notification of lost property at the local police station immediately.
Request your own copy of the report or investigation document. You may need it later when you apply for a new passport or file an insurance claim, or if your passport ends up in the wrong hands.
Medical facilities are basically non-existent outside Maseru and medicines are even more scarce. Ambulance service are unreliable or non-existent and a foreigner will usually need to pay cash for medical care.
Better medical services are available in South Africa, hence medical evacuation to South Africa occurs in the event of an accident or serious illness. Tourists normally have to organise their own transport, unless it is covered by their travel insurance policy.
Make sure you get travel insurance that includes coverage for medical evacuation and hospital stays.
The World Health Organization recommends vaccinations against the following for Lesotho: hepatitis A, hepatitis B, typhoid, yellow fever, rabies, meningitis, polio, measles, mumps and rubella (MMR), Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis), chickenpox, shingles, pneumonia and influenza.
Lesotho is not a Malaria risk area. The area that is at risk is further north in South Africa.
The Kingdom of Lesotho is experiencing the third highest HIV and AIDS prevalence rate in the world at 23.2 percent of the population. Avoid any risks by avoiding new sexual encounters while on holiday. If you cannot abstain, condoms can provide some protection.
It is advised to use bottled water and avoid drinking tap water in Lesotho. Thoroughly cooked hot foods can be eaten as it will mean most infections can be avoided. Raw fruits can be eaten only if they have an unbroken skin and are peeled. Raw vegetables and salads should be avoided due to possible contamination.
If food has been left out of a refrigerator for longer than an hour especially eggs, chicken and dairy, do not consume it.
Do not touch stray, domestic and wild animals in Lesotho. Rabies can be found in dogs, bats, and other mammals in Lesotho, so the CDC recommends a rabies vaccine before visiting. Tourists involved in outdoor and other activities (such as camping, hiking, biking, adventure travel, and caving) can put them at risk for animal bites.
It is not recommended for women to travel solo to Lesotho, but if they do travel on their own, they should take some precautions when visiting. Rape is a common crime in the country, but mostly confined to rural areas, as there is hardly any law enforcement in some of these areas.
It is advised that when travelling as a single woman to rather use a reputable hotel for accommodation and avoid smaller establishments. Watch out for strangers are too eager to show you around or get too familiar. Avoid at all cost travelling around at night. Do not walk the streets alone at night or visit remote areas.
Wear conservative outfits and do not interact with strangers. Keep your money out of sight as robberies can lead to other crimes.
The main risk for children is the lack of decent medical services. Make sure you have a first-aid kit and do not travel at night with children. Make sure you never leave your children unattended. It is recommended that you take another person with if you need someone to babysit. There is however a safety risk of using local people to do this.
MoAfrika Tours is a leading tour operator in South Africa that offers an outstanding selection of tours to Lesotho We have a close association with the most reputable tour operators in Lesotho who make safety a priority.
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MoAfrika tours and the Kruger Safari Co. are destination management companies (DMC) and are not entities of the South African National Parks Board (SANparks).