'''Lesotho''' [http://www.scribd.com/doc/201495/Lesotho-tourist-brochure] is a country in Southern Africa. Known as the '''Kingdom in the Sky''' because of its lofty altitude - it has the highest lowest point of any country in the world (1400m) and is the only country to be entirely above 1000m! Lesotho is totally surrounded by South Africa and is making a reputation for itself as a fantastic adventure holiday destination. The Basotho people are very friendly and welcoming, and the country is relatively safe and politically stable compared to some of its neighbours.
Cities
Maseru - the capital
Hlotse (also known as Leribe) - regional market hub, with great craft shopping!
Mafeteng
Mokhotlong
Quthing - fantastic rock art nearby
Teyateyaneng (often referred to as just 'TY') - the craft centre of Lesotho
Other destinations
Katse - Pony-trekking and the impressive Katse Dam
Malealea - Pony-trekking
Maputsoe
Mohale's Hoek
Morija - Museum, dinosaur footprints
Oxbow - Skiing in Africa
Qacha's Nek
Sani Pass - Home to the highest pub in Africa and amazing views
Semonkong - Maletsunyane Falls
Thaba Bosiu - easily reached day trip to see the mountain fortress and burial place of the country's founding father
Thaba-Tseka
Understand
The '''Department of Tourism''' [http://www.lesotho.gov.ls/lstourism.htm] has information for visiting Lesotho.
History
Originally the Sotho-Tswana people lived in what is now Free State in neighbouring South Africa. They were a farming people, and when the Zulus started attacking villages and the Voortrekkers started encroaching on their land, they fled up into the Lesotho mountains. Here, continuous attacks from the Zulus forced local tribes to join together for protection, and by 1824, King Moeshoeshoe had established himself as king and Thaba Bosiu as his mountain fortress.
In 1903, Moeshoeshoe allied himself with the British Cape Colony government in a bid to protect the Basotho from the Boer's rapidly increasing presence in the area. Much fighting followed, forcing Moeshoeshoe to go straight to the imperial government of the British, and in 1868, Basotholand (as it was then called) became a protectorate of the British Empire. Among the many benefits of this, when the Union of South Africa was created in 1910, Lesotho was not included - thus giving it an apartheid free 20th century.
It was granted independence from the British Empire on October 4th 1966 and annually, on October 4th, Lesotho celebrates its independence day.
People
The Kingdom of Lesotho was formed through the pursuit of peace, and this peaceful nature still exists in the Basotho. They are a friendly and welcoming people and do not have the aggressive history some of the peoples of neighbouring countries have. People are especially grateful to Brits, and the older generation will come up to a Brit and tell them how much they thank them for saving them from apartheid!
Economy
Lesotho's currency, the Loti (LSL) (plural Maloti), is fixed at a 1:1 ratio with the South African Rand (ZAR). South African currency is accepted everywhere - there is no need to change money. However you will get Maloti in change (unless you ask) which is very difficult to unload in South Africa.
There are ATMs at banks in most towns, although you will not find them elsewhere. Most banks will change travellers cheques for you, but it can be a very, very lengthy process if they are in any other currency apart from ZAR. Credit cards will be accepted in Shoprite and the main hotels, but not elsewhere. Your cashcard from home may work in some Maseru cash machines (FNB or Standard Bank) but best to get cash out in South Africa beforehand.
Restaurants outside of Maseru (and most in Maseru) will probably not accept credit card as a means of payment.
Climate
Lesotho has a summer rainfall climate, with extensive snow falls possible in winter. Snow and frost may occur in any month on the high mountains. Rainfall in summer is normally in the form of severe thunderstorms. It gets very cold in winter (May - September) even in Maseru - and houses are not built for the cold (no central heating) if you are visiting in winter bring a warm coat, it goes below zero at night.
Festivals
'''Independence Day''' (4th October) celebrates the day that Lesotho achieved independance from the British Empire.
'''Moshoeshoe Day''' (14th March) celebrates the life of the founding father of the country. In Maseru, the procession goes from the Palace all the way to the Sotho Stadium, and involves many people dressed up in Lesotho's vibrant and colourful traditional dress - usually comprising blankets and sticks and if you're lucky, the cat hat! Women involved in the parade will be carrying huge bundles of sticks, as they traditionally would do, whilst the men will either be doing traditional dances, riding horses, or herding bulls along the road! At the stadium, after the procession has arrived, there are military and police parades, which aren't nearly so enjoyable.
Get in
Visa
Citizens of most Commonwealth countries, Southern African Development Community (SADC) countries, some European states (not including, for example, Greece) and the US will be granted a free entry permit, valid for 30 days. Your passport needs to be valid for another six month and you need at least two blank pages. The proof of a return or onward ticket or your future travel plans might be asked, but this should not be a problem.
By plane
'''Moshoeshoe Airport''' is located 18km from Maseru. South African Airways [http://www.flysaa.com] operates a couple of daily flights from Maseru to Johannesburg, which typically cost around 2200 ZAR. Luggage is lost very regularly and there is no lost luggage reporting system. You should arrange taxi pick-up in advance as often there are no taxis at the airport. Taxis charge around 50-80 ZAR.
By train
There is no train line within Lesotho, but the South African railway line Bloemfontein Bohlokong (freight only) runs along the northwestern Lesotho border, with a stop in Meqheleng.
By car
You will be coming from South Africa when entering by car. The major border posts are Caledonspoort, Ficksburg Bridge, Makhaleng Bridge, Maseru Bridge, Ngoangoma Gate, Peka Bridge, Qacha's Nek, Ramatseliso's Gate, Sani Pass, Sephaphos Gate, Tele Bridge and Van Rooyen's Gate. Please note that some of the border posts can only be accessed by four-wheel driven cars, and only Maseru Bridge and Ficksburg Bridge are 24 hour, other borders can close as early as 4PM.
The main roads in Lesotho are similar to minor roads in Europe - they are sealed, and surprisingly free of potholes. The A1 road (aka 'Main North') is tarred from Maseru to Mokhotlong, and the A2 (aka 'Main South') is tarred from Maseru to Qacha's Nek. The roads to Roma, Mohale Dam and Katse Dam are also tarred. For the visitor the only unsealed roads you are likely to use are the road to Semonkong (4x4 only most of the year although some drive in 2x4 hire cars) and the last 20km to Malealea, which is easy in a saloon. Note that the road running east-west to Thaba Tseka is unsealed and in terrible condition, it is always quicker to take the A1 to get to Katse, Thaba Tseka and Sani Pass.
If setting off in to the mountains check your car over before the trip (top up the oil, pump the spare tyre etc.) there are some steep climbs which require 2nd or even 1st gear to get up - so don't attempt to drive to Qacha's Nek with 5 people squeezed into a hired 1.3 litre CitiGolf!
If in doubt please ask locals if the road you are going to take is okay, especially during winter times. The truth is that if you keep to the main roads you are likely to drive on a road smoother than Eastern Free State (RSA) roads!
When taking a rented car, be sure to get permission from the rental company to take the car into Lesotho. You will need to show written permission from the rental company at border control.
Finally petrol can be a problem - best to fill the tank in Maseru or in South Africa - outside Maseru unleaded can be very hard to find, and even LRP and diesel can be in short supply.
By bus
Vaal-Maseru http://www.vaalmaseru.co.za/ run a coach service to and from Johannesburg from Maseru and minibuses also run the route. Oddly there is no coach service to or from Bloemfontein and the minibus route requires you to change buses half way so the journey usually takes a crampt 3 to 4 hours. The Baz Bus doesn't go to Lesotho either. If travelling in from Bloemfontein you could hitch-hike easily enough (look out for Lesotho number plates). If going from Maseru to Bloemfontein hanging around the border (especially on a Saturday morning) should get you a lift (offer some money). Minibuses run pretty much anywhere from the Maseru Bridge border, but get there early in the morning (7am) as there may be only 1 bus a day.
By coach
Coaches stop off on the South African side of Maseru Bridge Border Post, where you can pick up a taxi into downtown Maseru.
Get around
By taxi
As with most of Africa the minibus 'taxi' (aka combi / Toyota Hiace) is the transport of the people. Also available are regular taxis (you phone, they pick you up) and 4+1s - these now have a yellow stripe down the side and squeeze in 4 passengers and will take you in the direction of the other travellers. In minibus taxi's be sure you are clear on where the minibus is going (there should be a sign in the front windscreen), you'll be asked for money after a minute or two, with money being passed down the minibus - try to get the front seat by the driver for more leg room. Prices are fixed by the government and so shouldn't be more than R2-3 in Maseru, up to R50 for long distance (eg Mokhotlong). There is a risk of 'overcharge the foreigner- ask the other passengers if you are not sure of the price.
Maseru however is so small that you can walk to most places and at night proper telephone taxis are the only option available.
Minibus taxis operate with a driver and a conductor who arranges people to get on, and also collects money.
Be warned, the way the Minibus taxis are so cheap is because of the way they fit so many people in! Don't be surprised to see kids sitting on laps four or five high, or to told to have large amounts of luggage on your lap or wedged in around you.
The Minibus taxis tend to be '''poorly maintained''' and are '''not insured'''.
However, very few accidents involving taxis happen in Maseru.
At night it is inadvisable to travel out on foot - get a proper taxi for anything more than a short walk.
Intercity travel by taxi will cost no more than 50 LSL for a single way ticket, and inner city minibus taxi rides will cost you around 2.50 LSL (4+1s will cost you 20 LSL for the whole car, no matter how many are with you, provided its within a city.)
Always check the cost of a taxi '''before''' you get in, especially with 4+1s, as they take payment at the end, and often will try and dupe you into paying more than the going rate.
It is often worth negotiating to hire a whole taxi if you are a large group, as it can be a lot cheaper.
Phone +0026662745199 for Khosana at Comfort Taxis
Finding a taxi
Upon arrival in one of the main towns, you will notice that all the minibuses are hooting their horns, which is to signal that they have space for more passengers. To flag one down, just wave to a taxi as it approaches, the conductor (who will be leaning out of the window on the kerbside of the van) will usually be shouting the destination of the taxi. '''If you are not sure it will be going where you want to go, ask before you get on!'''
In Maseru, there is a place called Stoppo on Moeshoeshoe Road, near to the Shoprite by The Circle / Cathedral. This is where all the minibus taxis leave from, and if you want a taxi out of town, you should head here. However, it is a very busy and bustling place, heaving with people, so it is often easier to pick up a taxi a bit before you reach the actual Stoppo, a good place is the layby just by the pedestrian bridge. This is a far safer place for a tourist to pick up a taxi as pickpocketings are quite common in Stoppo.
The Comfort TAxi service is great for all international tourists. They are safe and reliable. Call +(266)62745199 and speak to Khosana.
By car
It is also possible to hire a car and travel around, the Sun hotels in Maseru both have hire car places, as does the airport. If you hire your car in South Africa (probably cheaper than hiring in Lesotho) be sure to get permission to take the car across into Lesotho (the hire car insurance may not cover Lesotho).
But it's nowhere near as fun as getting up close to the locals and chatting with them!
You don't need a 4x4 to see the main sights in Lesotho - for the average visitor only the road to Semonkong will need a 4x4. The road is tarred to Mokhotlong (via Leribe) and is now tarred all the way to Qacha's Nek going south from Maseru. In the towns some side roads are unsealed but you can bump along in a saloon easily enough - If heading off in to the mountains on unsealed roads (eg to the Kao diamond mine) then a 4x4 is a must. The same goes for Thaba Tseka and going up or down the Sani pass.
When driving it's not advisable to stop at junctions or traffic lights at night - there is a very small chance of something nasty happening.
By plane
Some of the places you might want to visit will be in the Highlands and to get right into the heart of the Highlands, you will either need to hike or fly. '''Mission Aviation''' operate flights as part of their work in Lesotho, and also offer charter flights. It is fairly expensive but you really get to appreciate how mountainous the country is!
'''Mission Aviation''' are contactable on tel: 2232 5699, and are based at Moeshoeshoe I airport in Maseru, just off Airport Road.
Talk
The official languages are Sesotho and English.
Most in Maseru and in the other big towns speak English to a reasonable standard, and locals in Maseru will understand a few Afrikaans words.
In the Highlands, especially away from tourist attractions, neither English or Afrikaans will be understood.
Useful Sesotho phrases:
''Dumella N-datay'' - Hello Sir
''Dumella M-may'' - Hello Madam
''Ooo pella jwong?'' - How are you?
''Ke pella hantlay'' - I am well
''Ooo tswa ki (rhymes with high)?'' - Where are you from?
''Ooo aah ki?'' - Where are you going to?
''Kee ah-lay-bo-ha'' - Thank you
''Salla Hantlay'' - Goodbye (if you're leaving)
''Tsamaya Hantlay'' - Goodbye (if they're leaving)
These are written phonetically.
Written Sesotho (pronounced se-SOO-too) uses English letters. Note that certain combinations of letters are pronounced differently than they look. Two common examples are Li and Lu. In the first case, Li is pronounced "dee". In the second case, Lu is pronounced "doo".
It is polite to refer to someone older than you or of a higher social standing as ''N-datay'' if male or as ''M-may'' if female. This translates literally as Father and Mother!
Dear the Creatives,
I think it came be very good if the translation is done by a Mosotho woman or man as all the words are not spelled correctly in Sesotho. May I offer my assistance please:
Lumela ntate - Hello sir
Lumela 'm'e- Hello madam
U phela joang? - How are you?
U tsoa kae? - Where are you from?
U ea kae? - Where are you going?
Ke a leboha - Thank you
Sala hantle - Good bye
Tsamaea hantle - Goodbye
I appreciate the innitiative.
cheers
LERATO
See
'''Maletsunyane Falls''' — Nestled in the Lesotho highlands is Southern Africa's highest single drop waterfall. Above the waterfall, the Maletsunyane River in itself is nothing spectacular, which makes the discovery of the falls even more amazing! The scramble down the sides of the gorge is hard, but fairly safe and the noise and spray at the bottom by the pool is awe inspiring! Because no sun shines on the bottom, there is often snow down there, even in summer! If you're very adventurous you could also do the world's highest commercial abseil off the 200m high cliff! It is located close to Semonkong.
'''Morija''' — There is much history in this quaint little town, not just at the great Morija Museum: famous dinosaur footprints of the not-so-famous Lesothosaurus (no joke!) lie in the hills above.
'''Katse Dam''' — This stunning 185m dam wall is part of a larger water scheme to sell water to South Africa's Gauteng province and produce electricity for Lesotho. The result is a huge man made reservoir which stores the water that is gravity-fed to South Africa. The beauty of this award-winning feat of engineering is eclipsed, however, by the surrounding mountains and rural countryside.
'''Thaba Bosiu''' — The mountain stronghold where the great warrior and diplomat King Moeshoeshoe the Great established the Kingdom of Lesotho, fighting off wave after wave of attacks by white settlers and hostile African armies. Still today, the Kings and Queens of Lesotho are buried here.
Do
'''Pony-Trekking''' at either Malealea, in Katse, or at the '''Basotho Pony-Trekking Centre''' — whether your a seasoned pro at horse riding or a complete novice, pony-trekking is an extremely enjoyable way to see the Lesotho countryside! These organized tours give you access to parts of the country which you wouldn't see from your car. The exceptionally sure-footed Basotho Pony can take you through far-off villages and atop daunting mountains.
'''Hiking''' in the Highlands. Contact the Department of Tourism [http://www.lesotho.gov.ls/lstourism.htm], who will find you a guide, and then fly into a completely cut off village and hike your way out, staying in remote villages over night. You can also purchase 1:25,000 topographical maps for about 25LSL from the office of Lands, Surveys, and Physical Planning in downtown Maseru and do this yourself (recommeded only for experienced hikers).
'''Craft shopping''' at Maseru, Teyateyaneng, or Hlotse, where you can buy traditional Basotho hats, sticks, rugs and various other curios.
'''Enduro Motorcycle Tours'''. ttp://wildwill2.webs.com/ . Motorcycle Tours ? Guided enduro , off-road and dirt bike tours , day rides and trainings. Enduro bike rental or bring your own bike and experience some of the rural parts of the region. Man , machine and nature = adventure.
Learn
For current happenings in Lesotho the weekly Public Eye [http://www.publiceye.co.ls/] newspaper is a good source of info.
Work
Buy
There are several Western style supermarkets in Maseru, which are good for stocking up on supplies in before heading elsewhere in the country.
If you're after locally made goods and crafts, your best bet is to give Maseru a miss, and head to TY or Hlotse, where the markets are far better and cheaper.
Eat
There are many Western style restaurants in Maseru. For a more traditional meal, why not befriend some locals and see what they cook you?!
Drink
Maluti beer is superb. Much nicer than the chemical-laden south african brands.
Sleep
Lesotho hosts dozens of hotels, lodges and guesthouses. A full list can be found of the Lesotho Tourism Development Corporations [http://www.ltdc.org.ls/tourism.php website]. The list below are the most tourism oriented and are pleasant places to stay. Other accommodation tends to be more functional and are OK to rest overnight and have a simple meal, but are unlikely to offer good service, nor any recreational activities.
Several hotels in '''Maseru'''.
'''Semonkong Lodge''' situated on the Maletsunyane river and just one hour's walk from Maletsunyane Falls, offers accommodations, good food, horse treks, abseiling at the Falls.
'''Malealea''' has a lodge and pony trekking centre which offers good accommodation, foot or horse treks and 4x4 excursions.
'''Oxbow (Lesotho)''' has the '''New Oxbow Lodge''' [http://www.oxbow.co.za]
'''Katse''' has the '''Orion Katse Lodge''' [http://www.oriongroup.co.za/katse-overview.html]
'''Mohale''' has the '''Orion Mohale Lodge''' [http://www.oriongroup.co.za/mohale-overview.html]
Trading Post Lodge. ttp://www.tradingpost.co.za/. Small lodge in the university town of Roma
Ramabanta lodge. ttp://www.tradingpost.co.za/. On the way to Semonkong - nice lodge, with camping facilities
Maliba Mountain Lodge. ttp://www.maliba-lodge.com/. New luxury lodge based in the Tsehlanyane National Park
Sani Top Chalet. ttp://www.sanitopchalet.co.za/. Located at the top of the Sani pass, popular with South African day-trippers
Afriski. ttp://www.afriski.net/accommodation.html. Stay in an imported alpine ski lodge.
Letloepe Lodge. ttp://www.alternativeroute.net/letloepe.htm. Probably the nicest place in Qacha's Nek
In rural areas, Catholic and Protestant missions will often rent rooms to travellers.
Stay safe
Lesotho is far safer than neighbouring South Africa. The only risky thing to do in Lesotho is walk about Maseru on your own, and never after dark - other than that its fine. [http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/travelling-and-living-overseas/travel-advice-by-country/sub-saharan-africa/lesotho][http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_949.html]
As with pretty much everywhere else in the world you may find friendly chats with locals turn in to veiled requests for money - stick to your principles and only give to registered charities.
At night time it is the norm to drive through red lights - this is more just to speed up your journey (the police won't care) but also a precaution against carjackings.
Lesotho has a history as a very safe, peaceful and welcoming country...
Stay healthy
The HIV/AIDS incidence rate in Lesotho is the '''3rd''' highest in the world at around '''25%''' or '''1 in 4''' people infected. Even more worrying is the prevalence rate is around 50 percent for women in urban areas under 40. As visiting anywhere in the world, '''DO NOT HAVE UNPROTECTED SEX!!!'''.
Consult a doctor as to which vaccinations you will require, but they will most likely include Hep A, Hep B, and Typhoid. If you are staying in rural areas for a long time then a rabies shot would be a good idea.
Tropical diseases such as Malaria, Yellow fever and Bilharzia are not present in Lesotho.
It is a very good idea to carry some sterile needles and dressing in your first aid kit - the hospitals throughout Lesotho are not of a very high standard.
If you do have any serious health problems whilst in Lesotho, get in contact with your country's embassy either in Maseru, or in most cases, in Pretoria in South Africa, as there are very good hospitals across the border in SA who those that can afford it use.
Lesotho is at a very high altitude, and the air is very thin especially in the Highlands, be warned that you may suffer from altitude sickness when you first arrive. Drink a lot of water and keep covered up, skin burns quickly in the thin mountain air. It gets very hot in the sun in the summer!
The water in Lesotho is not clean and should not be drank untreated. Be warned about street vendors who sell fizzy drinks as these are usually in unclean reused glass bottles.
Pack moisturiser! Lesotho's air is very dry and everyone will suffer from dry skin!
Respect
Try and learn a few Sesotho words before travelling to Lesotho! The locals really appreciate a foreigner who has made the effort to learn their language! Always refer to an elder person, or a person of higher social standing as ''N'tate'' (male) or ''M'e'' (female)
Always respond to people, it is very offensive to ignore someone who greets you! As a foreigner, locals will be keen to say hello and ask you what you're up to in their country!
Never get angry at anyone, in the Basotho culture, people never show frustration towards others, and if you do, then you can easily really offend someone (you will almost certainly get frustrated when dealing with Lesotho officialdom, always keep your cool no matter how much buffoonery you are subjected to!). To show respect when giving and receiving items, use both hands. Also show a respect for food - don't throw it around, or eat whilst walking.
Contact
In Maseru, there are several internet cafes, although fairly cheap (usually 0.20-0.50 ZAR per min) they are pretty slow at best.
The cellphone network is OK in the towns, but pretty poor out in the contryside. The only British cell phone network that works is Vodafone. Unsure about other simcards. There are two mobile operators in Lesotho, '''Vodacom''' [http://www.vodacom.co.ls] and Econet Ezicel [http://www.econetwireless.com]. Vodacom has the widest coverage outside the towns, but is the (more) oversubscribed, and hence the less reliable. You can buy a Vodacom or Ezicel Buddie pay as you go sim card for under R50 in Maseru - worthwhile if you are staying for a while. Cellphones are available for hire in Maseru. Lesotho uses GSM900.
'''Coverage maps'''
Vodacom [http://www.gsmworld.com/cgi-bin/ni_map.pl?cc=ls&net=ls]
Econet Ezicel [http://www.gsmworld.com/cgi-bin/ni_map.pl?cc=ls&net=tc]
Get out
In South Africa,
Johannesburg
Durban East meets West (and surfing paradise!)
Cape Town
The Garden Route along South Africa's coast between Cape Town and Durban
Kruger National Park