African Travel Tips When Visiting Lesotho
Lesotho is also known as the Kingdom in the Sky, due to its high altitude and its mountain peaks, Lesotho offers the traveler a different face of Africa, closer to the alpines in climate, landscape and vegetation. Invigorating mountain air, spectacular views and rare birdlife combine to attract outdoor enthusiasts from around the world.
Popular ways to explore the countryside are through hiking and trekking in 4x4s or on the back of ponies. Renowned for their craftsmanship and hospitality, the Basotho offer a warm welcome when they say Khotso (peace), while inviting you to experience their small traditional villages and the unspoiled serenity that is Lesotho…
CAPITAL:
Maseru
WEATHER:
subtropical temperate. Frosts occur frequently in winter. Most of the rain occurs from October to April and is usually concentrated in fierce thunderstorms.
BADGE:
1 Lesotho Loti = 100 lens. South African rands are accepted. Visa, Access/MasterCard and Diners Club credit cards have limited acceptance and the use of traveler’s checks is limited outside of Maseru.
ELECTRICITY:
220 volts, 50 Hz. Plugs are round 2 and 3 pins.
HEALTH:
A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required from travelers coming from infected areas. Visitors are also advised to take pre-arrival precautions against typhoid, hepatitis A and polio. Other health concerns include minimal medical facilities; unavailability of many drugs; food and waterborne diseases, particularly amebiasis, typhoid fever and cholera; influenza (the risk is from May to October); AIDS; and tetanus.
IDIOM::
sesotho and english
PUBLIC HOLIDAYS:
New Year’s Day (January 1); Moshoeshoe (March 11); Heroes’ Day (April 4); Good Friday (April 9); Easter Monday (April 12); Labor Day (May 1); Anniversary of the King (July 17); Independence Day (October 4); Christmas Day (December 25)
SHOPPING:
basotho hat; grass-woven articles (mats, brooms, sneakers); ceramics; wool and mohair rugs; hangings; textiles; reproductions of cave paintings; traditional jewelry made of seeds, clay, beads and porcupine quills; silver, gold and ebony items; copper; African chess games. The Basotho hat shop is a good place to find local handicrafts.
SOCIAL AGREEMENTS:
The main religions are Christianity and traditional African religions; these and older generations must be respected. Normal courtesies and friendliness will be appreciated. Dress is informal, but modest. For business, dress in a light suit and tie and go through the usual formalities, but expect a casual atmosphere and pace.
TIME DIFFERENCE:
GMT+2
TIPS::
It is recommended to leave a tip in restaurants and hotels.
DESCRIPTION OF THE TOP TEN ATTRACTIONS:
Maseru and surroundings:
Basotho Hat, the main craft center; the Catholic Cathedral of Our Lady of Victories; the Papal Pavilion; Thorkild Hand Weaving and Moteng Weavers; Lancer’s Gap, for views of the city and Caledon Valley; the Ruta de la Flor del Peach, in August explore the nearby orchards by car or pony; Roma; Morija with its National Museum; and Matsieng with the Royal Summer Palace (closed to visitors).
Thaba-Bosiu:
A short distance from Maseru, a flat-topped hill bears the substantial remains of King Moshoeshoe I’s dwellings and villages, as well as Lesotho’s royal burial ground.
Teya-Teyaneng:
A short distance from Maseru, you can find a wide variety of souvenirs in this town whose weavers and artisans sell their wares in the many craft centers available; Near the town there are some San (Bushman) cave paintings.
Malealea and surroundings:
The Gate of Paradise is a spectacular pass on the way to Malealea with panoramic views of the plains dotted with attractive traditional villages, in spring the alpine flowers along the way are in bloom; An excellent pony-riding center is available in Malealea and the walking or hiking trails include a number of waterfalls eg Maletsunyane Falls and indigenous alpines such as the famous Spiral Aloe; nearby Mohale’s Hoek is picturesque and at nearby Motlejoeng visitors can explore some of the most interesting cannibal caves, found throughout Lesotho.
Dinosaur footprints:
About 5 miles north of Hlotse, the Subeng Stream Dinosaur Trackway is one of the best examples of dinosaur tracks in Lesotho; the footprints of several different dinosaurs, some dating back 180-200 million years, are preserved in sandstone; The Moyeni and Masitise Dinosaur Trails show the tracks of many different dinosaurs, as well as other early reptiles.
Ha Baroan Rock:
Paintings 39 km east of Maseru; Hanging Rock accessible after crossing a stream with a magnificent gallery of Bushman paintings.
Molimo Nthuse and surroundings:
One of the most attractive tourist routes in Lesotho, the road to Molimo Nthuse includes a series of mountain passes, each offering magnificent views of mountain peaks, steep gorges, tumbling streams and wide valleys; in Molimo Nthuse you will find one of Lesotho’s main pony riding centres: rides of a couple of hours or days are offered visiting waterfalls, local villages and other scenic attractions; Travelers can visit Maletsunyane Falls on a pony walking trail, it is impressive as the tallest single fall falls in southern Africa.
Katse Dam:
The centerpiece of the Highlands Water Project, the massive Katse Dam is spectacular when water levels are at their highest; the surrounding landscape is picturesque and the activities cater to bird watchers and water sports enthusiasts.
Roof of Africa:
Via Sani Pass scenic route, the gateway to the circuit; most of the route is in the Mokhotlong district, where the top of the Drakensberg Ridge is located; includes Thabana-Ntlenyana, which at 3,482m is the highest peak in southern Africa; Sani Pass, Thaba-Tseka, Katse and Hlotse form an alternate section of the route where 4x4s are best suited.
Sehlaba-Thebe National Park:
The park covers 6,500 hectares at an average elevation of 2,400 m and offers a large number of birds and a diverse Cape alpine flora; A small minnow-like fish (Oreodaimon quathlambae) thought to be extinct has been rediscovered in the Tsoelikana River.