Lesotho

Popular descriptions of this rugged country, with majestic beauty and serene simplicity, are "Mountain Kingdom" and "Kingdom in the Sky". Lesotho offers a very different tourism experience, with the potential of the tourism sector lying in its natural beauty, rich flora and fauna, and absorbing prehistoric and cultural heritage. The appeal of this extraordinary country is rarely found in more commercialized destinations.

Mountains, valleys, and rivers provide memorable scenery for tourists. This is where Lesotho gets its crystal clear water as well as green pastures for livestock. Minerals such as diamond are found in the mountains. Indeed, Lesotho is the Kingdom in the Sky.

Location

At over 1400m above sea level, way up in the Drakensberg Mountains is the tiny Kingdom of Lesotho. It is entirely surrounded by South Africa. Its boundaries run with those of KwaZulu-Natal to the east, Eastern Cape to the south, and the Free State to the north and west. It lies between latitudes 28' and 31' South and longitudes 27' and 30' east. It covers an area of approximately 30 300 square kilometres of which about one quarter in the west is lowland country, varying in height above sea level from 1,500 to 1,600 m, the remaining three quarters being highlands, rising to a height of 3,482 m at Thabana-Ntlenyana in the Maluti Range, which forms the eastern boundary with KwaZulu-Natal. The mountain ranges run from north to south and those in the central area, the Maluti, are spurs of the main Drakensberg, which they join in the north, forming a high plateau varying in height from 2,700 to 3,400 m.

Weather

Due to its altitude, Lesotho remains cooler throughout the year than other regions at the same latitude. Most of the rain falls as summer thunderstorms. Maseru and surrounding lowlands often reach 30 °C (86 °F) in summer. Winters can be cold with the lowlands getting down to −7 °C (19 °F) and the highlands to −18 °C (0 °F) at times. Snow is common in the highlands between May and September; the higher peaks can experience snowfalls year-round.

Currency

The Loti, denoted by LSL, is the official currency of the Kingdom of Lesotho in Africa. The Loti (plural "maloti") is subdivided into 100 lisente (singular "sente"). The LSL is pegged to the South African Rand on a 1:1 basis and both currencies are considered legal tender within Lesotho. However, you may have problems changing Loti back to Rand when you return to South Africa.

Visas

Citizens of most Western European countries, the USA and most Commonwealth countries are granted a free entry permit at the border. The standard stay permitted is two weeks, although if you ask for longer you may be lucky.

Full details and requirements can be discussed when you make your travel enquiry. Please remember, travelers are solely responsible for ensuring they have all the correct travel documents in place for their trip.

Power

Lesotho electricity points are 220v running at 50Hz. The plugs are the same as those found in neighbouring South Africa, 3 round pins.