Lesotho

Violent and petty crime is common in Lesotho, particularly in Maseru, and can include: 

• muggings and armed robbery
• carjacking
• pickpocketing

Police resources are varied throughout Lesotho.

Gun-related crimes and break-ins have targeted travellers.

Security risks increase at night and on weekends.

To protect yourself from violent crime:

• avoid walking alone or at night
• keep valuables out of sight
• always keep car doors locked and windows up, including when moving
• use ATMs in controlled areas such as banks, shops and shopping centres
• always keep your credit card in sight when paying bills at restaurants and shops
• stay alert and be aware of your surroundings

If you are the victim of crime, particularly sexual assault, you may not receive the same standard of care or understanding as you would in Australia. Please contact the Consular Emergency Centre or the Australian High Commission in Pretoria for assistance.

Lesotho has high rates of HIV/AIDS. If you think you are at risk of infection, seek immediate medical help. Consult your travel insurance about appropriate medical care. 

Drink spiking

Methanol poisoning

Kidnapping

• Kidnapping

Cyber security

Protests and demonstrations

Public protests and events that draw large groups of people can turn violent. Political protests may occur in Maseru. 

To stay safe:

• avoid protests and demonstrations
• monitor the media for reports of planned or possible protests
• avoid affected areas
• follow the advice of local authorities

More information:

• Protests and civil unrest

Terrorism is a threat worldwide. An attack could happen anywhere and at any time. 

To stay safe, you should:

• consider likely terrorist targets and the level of security provided, including places visited by foreigners, such as shopping centres
• always be alert to possible threats, especially in public places
• report any suspicious items or activities to the police

To reduce your risks:

• take official warnings seriously
• monitor the media for threats

If there's a terrorist incident:

• leave the affected area immediately if it's safe to do so
• avoid the area afterwards in case of more attacks
• follow the advice of local authorities.

More information:

• Terrorism

Respect local wildlife laws. Wildlife attacks can occur. Keep a safe and legal distance when observing wildlife.

Follow wildlife park rules and the advice of park wardens.

Transport and tour operators don't always follow recommended safety or maintenance standards.

If you plan to do an adventure activity:

• check if your travel insurance policy covers it
• check operators' credentials and safety equipment before booking
• only use reputable, registered tour operators or guides
• ask about and insist on minimum safety requirements
• always use available safety gear, such as helmets, life jackets or seatbelts
• if proper safety equipment isn't available, use another provider.

Swimming safety

Don't swim in lakes and rivers due to the risk of wildlife attacks or waterborne diseases.

More information:

• Water safety while overseas 

Lesotho experiences extreme weather, including:

• thunderstorms
• extreme cold
• heavy snowfalls

Violent thunderstorms occur in summer from November to February.

The weather can change quickly in the mountains. It can be cold, even in summer months.

Be prepared for extreme cold during winter, from June to August.

Heavy snowfalls can cause road or mountain pass closures. Expect travel delays.

To protect yourself if severe weather is approaching:

• closely monitor local media and other sources, such as the Global Disaster Alert and Coordination System
• follow the advice of local authorities
• keep in contact with friends and family
• secure your passport in a safe, waterproof location
• save phone numbers for local authorities in your phone, including the Lesotho Mounted Police (refer to Local contacts below).

HIV/AIDS

The rate of HIV/AIDS infection is very high.

Take precautions if you engage in activities that may expose you to the virus.

Other health risks

Waterborne, foodborne and other infectious diseases are common. These include:

• tuberculosis
• typhoid
• hepatitis
• rabies

Serious outbreaks sometimes occur.

To protect yourself from illness:

• drink boiled water or bottled water with sealed lids
• avoid ice cubes
• avoid raw and undercooked food, such as salads
• don't swim in fresh water
• avoid contact with dogs and other mammals

If you're bitten or scratched by an animal, get medical help straight away.

Get medical advice if you have a fever or diarrhoea.

Medical facilities in Lesotho are limited. Outside of Maseru, healthcare is very basic. Ambulance services are unreliable and do not travel to remote locations.

You may need to travel to other regions to access health care, including facilities in Bloemfontein, South Africa, which is 140km from Maseru. 

If you become seriously ill or injured, you may need to be evacuated to a major centre in South Africa or another place with better facilities. Should you need to be evacuated, you may be required to arrange your own transport if not covered by your insurance policy. 

Medical evacuation can be very expensive. Familiarise yourself with your travel insurance coverage. Make sure medical evacuation and hospital coverage is provided in your travel insurance policy.

Local authorities may ask to see your identity documents at any time. 

• always carry a form of photo identification
• keep a certified photocopy of your passport in safe place, in case it gets lost or confiscated.

Ask police or prison officials to contact the Australian High Commission in Pretoria, South Africa if you're arrested or detained.

Police resources are varied throughout Lesotho.

Drugs

Penalties for drug offences are severe and include long prison sentences.

More information:

• Carrying or using drugs

Other laws

Serious crimes, such as murder and sexual assault, can attract the death penalty.

It's illegal to take photos around military or government buildings.

LGBTQI+ laws

Same-sex relationships are not criminalised. However, showing affection in public may attract unwanted and negative attention. 

Lesotho does not recognise same-sex marriages or civil unions. 

More information:

• Advice for LGBTQIA+ travellers

Lesotho recognises dual nationality.

Dual nationality can impact how and when we can help you overseas. If you're in your other country of nationality, the government may not let us provide consular services if you're arrested or detained.

If you need help overseas, contact local resources first. You may be able to access support as a national. 

More information:

• Advice for dual nationals

Visas

Tourists can visit Lesotho for up to 30 days without a visa. If you intend to stay longer than 30 days, you can apply for an extension, which must be done within the first 14 days of entry. For other situations, you'll need to apply for a visa in advance. While visas are no longer required, border processes are still done at road and air entry points. 

Border measures

Entry and exit conditions can change at short notice. Contact the nearest embassy or consulate for details about visas, currency, customs and quarantine rules.

Yellow fever vaccination

You need a valid yellow fever vaccination certificate to enter Lesotho if you travel from a country where yellow fever occurs. Some airlines may want to see one when you leave.

Find out about returning to Australia after exposure to yellow fever.

More information:

• Countries with a risk of yellow fever

Travel via South Africa

There are limited flight options to and from South Africa. Contact your travel provider for details. If you're travelling through South Africa, you must meet its entry and transit requirements.

Travelling from South Africa to Lesotho by road can be dangerous due to the road conditions, including potholes and the routes are heavily used by cargo trucks.  

South Africa has specific documentation requirements for children.

South Africa doesn't accept provisional travel documents.

You may need a yellow fever vaccination certificate to enter South Africa.

More information:

• Travel advice for South Africa

Validity

Your passport must be valid at least 6 months beyond the date you expect to leave Lesotho. You can end up stranded if your passport is not valid for more than 6 months or does not have adequate blank pages.

You need at least four blank pages for passport stamping. You need two pages to enter and exit Lesotho’s border control, and two pages for South African border control on your way to and from Lesotho.

Lost or stolen passport

Passport with 'X' gender identifier 

The local currency is the Lesotho Loti (LSL). South African Rand (ZAR) is widely accepted.

Credit and debit cards are accepted in major centres for payments and at ATMs. If you are travelling outside Maseru, take enough cash (Loti or Rand) to cover local purchases.

Ask your bank if your cards will work in Lesotho.

Cash or traveller’s cheques in any currency valued at 25,000 LSL or more must be declared. Failure to declare could result in authorities seizing your money and you could be fined. 

There are strict rules on items that can be taken out of Lesotho. You must declare anything that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty. 

Driving permit

To drive in Lesotho, you need both:

• a valid Australian driver's licence (digital driver's licences may not be accepted)
• an International Driving Permit (IDP)

You must obtain your IDP before departing Australia.

Road travel

Driving dangers include:

• poor local driving practices
• poorly maintained vehicles
• unpaved and poorly maintained roads, including potholes
• poor street lighting
• wild animals and livestock on the roads
• steep and twisting mountain roads
• rock falls

Roads between main urban centres are in fair condition. 

Rural roads are mainly gravel. You will need a 4WD vehicle in some rural areas.

There are limited fuel stations outside of large cities and towns. No roadside assistance services operate in Lesotho.

If you plan to drive:

• check you have adequate insurance cover
• follow traffic laws
• carry adequate supplies in your vehicle including blankets, warm clothes, light and phone charging accessories
• always be alert to possible dangers, such as animals and pedestrians on roads

More information:

• Driving or riding

Motorcycles

Your travel insurance policy may not cover you when riding a motorbike, quad bike or similar vehicle.

Always wear a helmet.

Taxis

Use only registered taxis and transfer services, preferably arranged by your hotel.

Avoid hailing taxis on the street, as they're often poorly maintained.

Internationally recognised app-based ride share services do not operate in Lesotho.

Public transport

Avoid travelling by bus or taxi, as they're often overloaded and poorly maintained. There are limited reliable or safe public transport options in Lesotho.

Car rental services are available in Maseru. If you rent a car in South Africa, you may bring it into Lesotho with a letter of authorisation from the rental company.  Check with the rental company to make sure they issue letters of authorisation.

Air travel

Check Lesotho's air safety profile with the Aviation Safety Network.

More information:

• Air travel

Depending on what you need, contact your:

• family and friends
• travel agent
• insurance provider
• employer
• airline

Emergency services

Call 112 for ambulance, fire and police in an emergency.

Police: +266 5888 1024 or +266 2232 2099

Lesotho Mounted Police: +266 2231 2924

Fire Service: +266 5886 8090 or +266 8358 0347

Medical: +266 2831 9539

These numbers are sometimes out of service.

Always get a police report when you report a crime.

Your insurer should have a 24-hour emergency number.

The Australian Government aims to provide high quality consular assistance. There are limits to what we can do. Read the Consular Services Charter to understand how we can assist you overseas.

Australia doesn't have an embassy or consulate in Lesotho.

You can get consular assistance from the Australian High Commission in Pretoria, South Africa.

Australian High Commission, Pretoria

292 Orient Street
Arcadia
Pretoria 0083, South Africa

Phone: +27 12 423 6000
Email: pretoria@dfat.gov.au

Website: southafrica.highcommission.gov.au
Facebook: Australian High Commission in South Africa
X: @AuHCSouthAfrica

Check the High Commission website for details about opening hours and any temporary closures.

24-hour Consular Emergency Centre

In a consular emergency, if you can't contact an embassy, call the 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on:

• +61 2 6261 3305 from overseas

• 1300 555 135 in Australia