Key Facts for First-Time Travellers to Lesotho
Commonly referred to as the ‘Mountain Kingdom’ or the ‘Kingdom in the Sky’ because of its elevation, Lesotho is the only independent state in the world which exists above 1000 metres. Surrounded by South Africa, the country covers just over 30,000 square kilometres and is an ideal location for hikers, campers, and even snow sports enthusiasts in the winter, largely due to its sprawling mountains. Here are some key facts and features about vacationing in this rocky nation.?
Climate
The climate in Lesotho can be described as temperate with alpine characteristics. Overall, the country has both hot summers and extremely cold winters. Summer is from November to February with the highest temperatures reaching 24/28°C and the lowest dropping to around 12/15°C. The mid-winter months are from June to August and can be quite cold, particularly at higher altitudes where regular snowfall occurs.?
The best time to visit would be in the summer months of October to April. October/November and March/April tend to be drier months and are ideal if you want to avoid rainfall. If you want to enjoy winter sports, visiting anytime from June to August will be ideal.
Passport and Visa Requirements
Tourist visas for Lesotho are only provided for leisure travel and visitors are prohibited from engaging in any paid or sanctioned business activities while on a tourist visa. Most Western travellers can obtain entry visas upon arrival. Applicants must submit a complete visa application and must have the following requirements;
You can find a full list of visa rules and requirements on Lesotho’s official government website
Cuisine
The local populations enjoy a traditional diet which is a mix of fruits, vegetables and meat. Melons, pumpkins, peas, ground nuts and beans are popular choices. Lekhotloane is a dish of pounded beef made on special occasions, while motoho is a sorghum porridge typically eaten with Indigenous greens and meats like beef, goat or chicken.
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Local drinks include Khemere which is homemade non-alcoholic ginger beer, and Joala ba Sesotho, a traditional beer brewed from fermented millet seeds or sorghum. Other commercially prepared beers include Chibuku and Maluti.
Key Attractions
Semonkong
This is a small town located in the centre of Lesotho and is known as the adventure capital of the country for outdoor lovers looking to venture out of their Maseru hotels. Visitors can enjoy various activities like rock climbing, mountain biking, pony trekking and even fly fishing. It is also an access point to the magnificent Maletsunyane Waterfall which is one of the highest waterfalls in the world.?
Sehlabathebe National Park
This was first established in 1970 as Lesotho’s first national park and extends across 65 square kilometres of grassland below the uKhahlamba-Drakensberg escarpment, along the border with South Africa. The park was given UNESCO World Heritage status in 2008 with a mixed classification for its cultural significance, diverse natural resources and prehistoric rock art.?
Katse Dam
This is the second largest double curvature arch dam in Africa and was constructed in the early 1990s. It is 710 metres long and 185 metres high and impounds a reservoir that runs for over 30 kilometres along the Malibamatso River. A special highlight of the dam is the Katse Botanical Garden which was established in 1995 as a sanctuary for Afro-Alpine flora that was rescued from the land that was in danger of being submerged by the reservoir.
Thaba-Bosiu
Thaba-Bosiu is a sandstone plateau located 20 kilometres east of Maseru and just 30 minutes from Avani Lesotho Hotel & Casino. It once served as a dwelling place and military stronghold of King Moshoeshoe I, the founding father of the kingdom, during most of his 19th-century reign. There is now a cultural village there with communities that preserve the local culture and live in round-shaped huts. The community is fairly welcoming and will be more than happy to show you around their village.