No travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide. You may also find it helpful to:
\n\nIf you choose to travel, research your destinations and get appropriate travel insurance. Insurance should cover your itinerary, planned activities and expenses in an emergency.
\n\nThe Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) provides advice about risks of travel to help you make informed decisions. Find out more about FCDO travel advice.
\n\nSign up to get email notifications when this travel advice is updated.
\n\nFollow FCDO:
\n\n\n\n","slug":"warnings-and-insurance","title":"Warnings and insurance "},{"body":"This information is for people travelling on a full ‘British citizen’ passport from the UK. It is based on the UK government’s understanding of Lesotho’s current rules for the most common types of travel.
\n\nThe authorities in Lesotho set and enforce entry rules. If you’re not sure how these requirements apply to you, contact the Lesotho High Commission Lesotho in the UK.
\n\nAll visitors to Lesotho must travel through South Africa, whether travelling by air or land. You need to meet South Africa’s entry requirements.
\n\nTo enter Lesotho, your passport must have an ‘expiry date’ at least 90 days after the date you arrive.
\n\nMake sure you get your passport stamped.
\nYou need at least 4 blank pages for passport stamping. Lesotho border control need to stamp your passport and so do South African border control on your way to and from Lesotho.
\n\nCheck with your travel provider that your passport and other travel documents meet requirements. Renew your passport if you need to.
\n\nYou will be denied entry if you do not have a valid travel document or try to use a passport that has been reported lost or stolen.
\n\nWhen returning to the UK, British citizens must carry a valid British passport or certificate of entitlement. See Dual citizenship.
\n\nYou can visit Lesotho for up to 90 days without a visa.
\n\nYou can extend your stay by completing a 90-day temporary permit extension form and taking it to the Visa Application Centre in the Manthabiseng Convention Centre, Maseru. Your passport will need to be valid for the extension period.
\n\nIf you overstay without permission, the authorities may detain you and will charge you weekly fines.
\n\nFor details about medical entry requirements and recommended vaccinations, see TravelHealthPro’s Lesotho guide.
\n\nThere are strict rules about goods you can take into or out of Lesotho. You must declare anything that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty.
\n\nDeclare cash or travellers cheques in any currency if the value is 25,000 Lesotho loti or more. If you do not, the authorities could seize your money when you leave and you could be fined.
\n\nThe Lesotho loti is pegged to the South African rand on a one-to-one basis. Both currencies are accepted throughout Lesotho.
\n\nUK debit and credit cards are widely accepted for payment and at ATMs. If you are travelling outside Maseru, take enough cash to cover local purchases.
\n\n","slug":"entry-requirements","title":"Entry requirements"},{"body":"There is a high threat of terrorist attack globally affecting UK interests and British nationals, including from groups and individuals who view the UK and British nationals as targets. Stay aware of your surroundings at all times.
\n\nUK Counter Terrorism Policing has information and advice on staying safe abroad and what to do in the event of a terrorist attack. Find out how to reduce your risk from terrorism while abroad.
\n\nAlthough there’s no recent history of terrorism in Lesotho, attacks cannot be ruled out.
\n\nThere are occasional political demonstrations in Maseru. These are usually peaceful, but there is a risk of isolated incidents of violence. Move away from demonstrations or gatherings, particularly if you see the security forces are present. Lesotho successfully held elections in 2022 but has had a history which includes political-related violence in past decades.
\n\nMuch of the violent crime in Lesotho is gun crime between organised crime groups. However, foreigners are vulnerable to opportunistic street crime and vehicle crime.
\n\nGender-based violence is very high in Lesotho. Most crimes based on gender are between people who already know each other, but violence towards women and girls happens in all areas of the country.
\n\nMuggers can target foreign nationals. Do not walk alone in isolated areas or after dark.
\n\nArmed carjackers or robbers may try to stop your car or get into it while you are stationary. The danger is greatest in urban areas. Do not stop your car if people try to flag you down and do not give lifts to strangers.
\n\nKeep doors locked, windows shut and valuables out of sight. If you are driving across the country:
\n\nIf you are caught up in an attack, do not offer any resistance.
\n\nTake precautions to safeguard your valuables and cash. Leave them in hotel safes, if possible. Keep copies of important documents, including your passport’s photo page and entry stamps, in a separate place.
\n\nThere is often an increase in thefts, especially burglaries from villas, leading up to the Christmas and Easter holiday periods.
\n\nAlways carry a copy of the photo page of your passport and your entry stamp. Officials may ask to see these.
\n\nPossession of drugs is a serious offence and punishments can be severe, including prison sentences.
\n\nSexual activity between men is illegal, but FCDO is not aware of this being enforced. Showing affection in public may attract unwanted and negative attention.
\n\nRead more advice for LGBT+ travellers.
\n\nYou can use a UK photocard driving licence to drive in Lesotho for up to 3 months. If you still have a paper driving licence, you may need to update it to a photocard licence or get the correct version of the international driving permit (IDP) as well.
\n\nDriving standards and road conditions in Lesotho are poor. You should drive with caution.
\n\nAnimals roaming on the roads are a hazard, especially at night.
\n\nLocal minibus taxis (‘4+1s’) may be poorly maintained and uninsured. They often ignore road safety rules including speed limits. Avoid using them and steer clear of them when driving.
\n\nIt’s safer to use transport arranged by your accommodation or by a tour operator.
\n\n","slug":"safety-and-security","title":"Safety and security"},{"body":"Before you travel check that:
\n\nThis is particularly important if you have a health condition or are pregnant.
\n\nIf you need emergency medical assistance during your trip, call 112 and ask for an ambulance.
\n\nIf 112 is not operating, call locally on 80093030121.
\n\nYou can also access emergency treatment across the border in South Africa. Mediclinic Bloemfontein is a 90-minute drive (140km) from Maseru and has private ambulances.
\n\nMediclinic: +27 51 404 6225
\n\nAmbulance: ER24 +27 102053588
\n\nContact your insurance company quickly if you’re referred to a medical facility for treatment.
\n\nAt least 8 weeks before your trip:
\n\nSee what health risks you’ll face in Lesotho.
\n\nAltitude sickness is a risk in parts of Lesotho. Read more about altitude sickness on TravelHealthPro.
\n\nThe legal status and regulation of some medicines prescribed or bought in the UK can be different in other countries.
\n\nRead best practice when travelling with medicines on TravelHealthPro.
\n\nLesotho has basic medical facilities. Most foreign visitors use healthcare facilities in Bloemfontein, South Africa, a 90-minute drive from Maseru.
\n\nIn Lesotho, Queen Mamohato Memorial Hospital (+266 2231 3260) and Maseru Private Hospital (+266 2233 3600) are the main hospitals. Both are in the Maseru area. Outside of Maseru there are District hospitals in most of the Districts.
\n\nFCDO has a list of medical providers in Lesotho where some staff will speak English.
\n\nRead FCDO guidance on travel and mental health. There is also mental health guidance on TravelHealthPro.
\n\n","slug":"health","title":"Health"},{"body":"The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) cannot provide tailored advice for individual trips. Read this travel advice and carry out your own research before deciding whether to travel.
\n\nTelephone: 112 (ambulance, fire, police)
\n\nContact your travel provider and your insurer if you are involved in a serious incident or emergency abroad. They will tell you if they can help and what you need to do.
\n\nFor refunds or changes to travel, contact your travel provider. You may also be able to make a claim through insurance. However, insurers usually require you to talk to your travel provider first.
\n\nFind out more about changing or cancelling travel plans, including:
\n\nFCDO has guidance on staying safe and what to do if you need help or support abroad, including:
\n\nSee how to get help from the UK government abroad including in an emergency.
\n\nYou can call FCDO in London if you need urgent help because something has happened to a friend or relative abroad.
\n\nTelephone: 020 7008 5000 (24 hours)
\n\n\n\nSign up to get email notifications when this travel advice is updated.
\n\nFollow FCDO:
\n\n