Travel in Lesotho: when to go, places and advice

The kingdom in the sky: enclosed within South Africa, Lesotho is the only country in the world lying entirely above 1,400 m. You climb in by the Sani Pass and its mythical hairpins to find green high plateaus as far as the eye can see, the Maletsunyane falls plunging 192 m, Basotho villages where people travel on horseback, traditional blanket over their shoulders, and an end-of-the-world silence. Southern Africa in alpine-pasture form, rough and magnificent.

Capital: Maseru
Currency: Loti (LSL), rand accepted
Language: Sesotho, English
Direct flight: No direct flight, via Johannesburg
Time difference: +1 hr in winter, none in summer

Itineraries

Our trip ideas in Lesotho

The itineraries in Lesotho are in the works: the day-by-day programme, named hotels, tickets to book flagged in advance. Leave your address to be notified when they come out.

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The right season

When to go in Lesotho?

The southern summer (November-March) greens the plateaus, with spectacular, brief afternoon storms; March-April, dry and golden, are perfect for hiking. Winter (June-August) is freezing at night but permanently blue, with snow on the summits and skiing at Afriski. Spring (September-October) combines swollen waterfalls and passable trails.

January : Pleasant
February : Pleasant
March : Ideal
April : Ideal
May : Pleasant
June : In-between
July : In-between
August : In-between
September : Ideal
October : Ideal
November : Pleasant
December : Pleasant

Ideal
Pleasant
In-between
Avoid

Quick guide

Understanding Lesotho

Getting around

A 4x4 is essential for the passes, tracks and fords, including the famous Sani Pass from South Africa. The local minibuses link the towns, slowly. Many come on a loop from the Drakensberg.

Money

The loti (LSL), at parity with the South African rand which circulates everywhere. Cash is essential outside Maseru, the ATMs thin out fast in the mountains.

Language

Sesotho and English, both official: conversation is easy everywhere. The greeting "lumela" opens the smiles.

Useful apps

Offline maps compulsory (Maps.me covers the tracks well), mountain weather to watch, and a Vodacom Lesotho SIM picked up at the border.

Accommodation

Mountain lodges, traditional rondavels and the "highest pub in Africa" at the top of the Sani. In Semonkong, the lodge at the edge of the falls is worth the trip on its own.

Etiquette

Greet every person you pass on the trails, ask before photographing herders and villages, and a small useful gift replaces money given to children.

The iconic places

Maletsunyane Falls

Semonkong

192 m in a single drop into a basalt canyon: one of the highest free-falling waterfalls in Africa, and the longest commercial abseil in the world.

Sani Pass

Drakensberg

The hairpin track that climbs to 2,876 m from South Africa, crowned by the highest pub in Africa. Vertiginous panorama guaranteed.

Thaba Bosiu

Maseru

The fortress mountain of king Moshoeshoe I, cradle of the Basotho nation, a sacred plateau where the royal family rests.

Katse Dam

Highlands

A turquoise lake snaking at 2,000 m between the mountains: the flagship structure of the great Highlands water project.

Sehlabathebe Park

South-East

The park on the roof of the Drakensberg, UNESCO: sandstone arches, alpine meadows and San rock art, in total solitude.

Villages on horseback

Malealea

The Basotho pony remains the true transport of the mountains: set off on a trek from village to village, homestay night included.

Tap a dot, or browse the list below the map.

Maletsunyane Falls : 192 m of free fall at Semonkong
Sani Pass : The mythical pass and its pub at 2,876 m
Thaba Bosiu : The mountain of king Moshoeshoe
Katse Dam : The turquoise lake of the Highlands
Sehlabathebe : Sandstone arches and San art, UNESCO
Malealea : Pony treks from village to village
Afriski : Skiing in Africa, at 3,222 m
Ts'ehlanyane : High-altitude forests and natural pools