Lesotho

The Kingdom of Lesotho is an enclave located entirely within the Republic of South Africa. It is roughly the size of Maryland and has a population of about 1.8 million people. Nearly all of Lesotho lies above 5,000 feet (1,500M) and the country features Africa's highest mountain south of Kilimanjaro, Thabana Ntlenyana, at 11,400 feet (3,500M), as well as one of Africa's only ski resorts. Facilities for tourism are expanding. The capital city of Maseru provides shopping, dining and entertainment options, and Lesotho’s countryside offers an array of outdoor activities, including off-roading, mountain biking, horseback riding, and hiking. Lesotho is a constitutional monarchy currently ruled by a fragile three party coalition. Disputes among coalition members have led to disagreement about who leads the Lesotho Defense Forces and created a climate of political uncertainty. In late August, the army clashed with police and the Prime Minister and other officials briefly fled the country. The political leadership has now returned and, with facilitation support from the Southern African Development Community (SADC) announced plans to hold early elections in February 2015. While this latest unrest has had a minimal impact on daily life in Lesotho, it demands that visitors pay close attention to new developments. Lesotho’s growing economy principally exports textiles, electricity, diamonds, and water. Read the Department of State’s Fact Sheet on Lesotho for additional information on U.S.-Lesotho relations.

Transportation

TRAFFIC SAFETY AND ROAD CONDITIONS: While in Lesotho, you may encounter road conditions that differ significantly from those in the United States. The information below is provided for general reference only, and may not be totally accurate in a particular location or circumstance.

Traffic moves on the left, with right-hand drive vehicles. Never assume right-of-way, as aggressive and unpredictable local driving habits result in frequent collisions. Lesotho has a high number of traffic-related deaths and injuries. Driving after dark is dangerous due to the absence of street lighting, livestock on the roads, and the prevalence of crime—including incidents of carjacking.

Travel is best done by private car. Rental cars are available in Maseru, and cars rented in neighboring South Africa may be brought into Lesotho with the written permission of the rental company. Although bus and public taxi services exist, chronic overloading combined with inadequate vehicle maintenance and lack of driver training make them unsafe. Some private taxi services are available in the capital, but roving mini-bus taxis should be avoided. There is no passenger train service in Lesotho.

Although the number of paved roads is gradually increasing, the majority of Lesotho’s 5,000 miles of roads remain unpaved. A few main rural highways are comparable to U.S. two-lane rural roads, but lane markings, signs, shoulders and guardrails do not meet U.S. standards. Lesotho's mountainous terrain makes driving on secondary roads hazardous. Unpaved roads in the interior—often narrow, winding, and steep—are poorly maintained. For travel in the interior, especially in wet or snowy weather, a high ground clearance or four-wheel-drive vehicle is recommended. Four-wheel-drive is also a requirement for entering or departing Lesotho through the Sani Pass on the eastern border. The authority for road safety issues rests with the Lesotho Mounted Police Service; there are no auto clubs or reliable ambulance services. Drivers should contact the police in case of road emergencies.

Please refer to our Road Safety page for more information. Also, we suggest that you visit the website of Lesotho’s national tourist office.

AVIATION SAFETY OVERSIGHT: As there is no direct commercial air service to the United States by carriers registered in Lesotho, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has not assessed the government of Lesotho’s Civil Aviation Authority for compliance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) aviation safety standards. Further information may be found on the FAA’s safety assessment page

Safety and Security

U.S. citizens should avoid political gatherings and street demonstrations. Large gatherings can potentially become violent at any time.

To stay connected:

• Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program so we can keep you up to date with important safety and security announcements.
• Follow the Bureau of Consular Affairs on Twitter and Facebook.
• Bookmark the Bureau of Consular Affairs website, which contains the current Travel Warnings and Travel Alerts as well as the Worldwide Caution.
• Follow the U.S. Embassy in Lesotho by visiting the Embassy’s website.
• In the event of an emergency, contact us at 1-888-407-4747 toll-free within the United States and Canada, or via a regular toll line, 1-202-501-4444, from other countries.
• Take some time before traveling to consider your security and checking for useful tips for traveling safely abroad.

CRIME: Lesotho has a high crime rate, and foreigners must remain vigilant at all times. Foreigners are frequently targeted and robbed, and have occasionally been car-jacked and killed. A number of U.S. citizens have reported incidents – including sexual assault, armed and unarmed confrontation, and home invasion – occurring in broad daylight. There are no indications that U.S. citizens are targeted due to their nationality.

Crime can occur anywhere in Lesotho, but is most prevalent in urban areas. Incidents of crime have occurred in popular restaurants, poorly lit or unlit roads, and locations foreigners are known to frequent. Victims have included tourists, volunteer workers, and employees of non-governmental organizations.

U.S. citizens are advised to avoid walking at night. Extra caution should be exercised while walking through downtown Maseru, even in daylight hours, as there have been numerous incidents in the middle of the day. U.S. citizens are urged to exercise caution, be particularly alert to their surroundings, and to avoid crowds, demonstrations, or any other form of public gathering. Traveling alone or at night is particularly dangerous, due to limited street lighting and undeveloped road conditions. The Lesotho Mounted Police Service (LMPS) is responsible for policing duties. Due to limited resources, LMPS and ambulance response times can vary widely. U.S. citizens should report crime to the police and to the consular section of the U.S. Embassy.

There is a serious problem with theft from baggage at O.R. Tambo International Airport (Johannesburg), a required transit point for air travel to Lesotho. Travelers are encouraged to secure their luggage with Transportation Security Administration (TSA) approved locks, use an airport plastic wrapping service, and avoid placing any items of value in checked luggage. Make an inventory of items in checked baggage to aid in claims processing if theft does occur. The claims processing procedure can be time-consuming.

Don’t buy counterfeit and pirated goods, even if they are widely available. Not only are the bootlegs illegal in the United States, if you purchase them in Lesotho, you are also breaking local law.

VICTIMS OF CRIME: If you or someone you know becomes the victim of a crime abroad, you should contact the local police and the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. We can:

• Replace a stolen passport.
• Help you find appropriate medical care if you are the victim of violent crimes such as assault or rape.
• Put you in contact with the appropriate police authorities, and if you want us to, contact family members or friends.
• Help you understand the local criminal justice process and direct you to local attorneys, although it is important to remember that local authorities are responsible for investigating and prosecuting the crime.  

Lesotho does not have a local equivalent to 911. In the event of an emergency, you can call (266) 2231 2934 or (266) 2232 2099. These numbers should be answered by police 24/7, but have been known to be out of service. You can contact the consular section of the U.S. Embassy Maseru using the information below:

Phone: (266) 2231-2666 Ext: 4124
Emergency After-Hours Duty Phone: (266) 5885-4035
Email: USConsularMaseru@state.gov

Please see our information for victims of crime, including possible victim compensation programs in the United States