Visa requirements
As entry into Lesotho takes place via South Africa, the South African entry requirements must also be met.
Passport: is generally required for trips to Lesotho, the ID card is not sufficient. The passport must be valid for at least 6 months upon entry.
Visa: Generally required, except for stays of up to 90 days are citizens of EU countries and Switzerland (exceptions: visas are required for citizens of Bulgaria, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Poland, Romania, Sweden, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Czech Republic and Hungary).
Transit: There is no possibility of transit without a visa.
Validity period: 90 days (multiple entry).
Application: In person or by post at the consular section of the embassy
Residence permit: Information from the responsible consular mission
Processing time: 7 days. Personal: on the same day.
Documents: if you are from a country for which Lesotho requires a visa, you will need:
Tourist Visa: – passport still valid for at least 6 months – 2 application forms – 2 passport photos – proof of payment for the fee.
Business Visa: additionally a company letter from the German company about the purpose and duration of the trip and a confirmation of the cost assumption.
A franked and addressed envelope should be enclosed with the application.
You can download the Lesotho visa application form here.
Sufficient funds: When entering Lesotho, sufficient funds to cover subsistence costs must be proven. A return flight ticket with a firmly booked return flight date must also be presented.
Vaccinations: Information on international vaccination certificates that are required for entry can be found in the chapter Lesotho – Health.
Entry with children:
Germans: Children need their own passport (child’s passport or electronic passport) or a German children’s ID card up to 16 years of age (if possible with a photo) to enter Lesotho.
Austrians: own passport for children.
Swiss: own passport for children.
The same visa requirements apply to the children as to their parents.
Money
National currency: 1 Loti divided into 100 Lisente.
Currency abbreviation: M, LSL – ABBREVIATIONFINDER.ORG
There are banknotes of 200, 100, 50, 20, 10 and 5 Maloti, coins of 5, 2, 1 Loti and 50, 25, 10, 5, 2 and 1 Sente. The majority of Loti is Maloti, the majority of Sente is Lisente. The South African rand is equivalent to the loti and is accepted as a method of payment. However, South African coins are not always accepted.
Currency exchange: the cheapest way is to exchange rand in South Africa, the rates are better than in Lesotho. In Lesotho, there are only reliable ways to change money in Maseru.
Exchange rate Lesotho Loti:
Currency converter at OANDA
Credit Cards: Most hotels, restaurants and travel agencies accept credit cards. The most common are Visa and MasterCard.
Traveler’s checks: US dollar travelers’ checks are recommended. Outside of Maseru, however, these are only accepted to a limited extent.
ATMs: there are some in Maseru, but not all accept international cards
Foreign exchange regulations: No restrictions. There is an obligation to declare.
Bank opening times: Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri 8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m., Wed 8:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. and Sat 8:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Health and Diseases
There are no vaccination regulations for Lesotho, but proof of a yellow fever or cholera vaccination is required when entering from infection areas.
Vaccinations against tetanus, diphtheria, hepatitis A and polio are recommended. If hygiene deficiencies are to be expected, one should also get vaccinated against typhoid, and when traveling to rural areas against hepatitis B and rabies. Malaria prophylaxis is not necessary.
The supply of medication is insufficient. A well-stocked first aid kit should be available and prescription medication should be brought. Good medical care is provided in Bloemfontein / South Africa (approx. 130 km west of Maseru). It is strongly recommended that you take out travel health / return insurance.
The HIV / AIDS infection rate in Lesotho is very high and a great danger for everyone who runs the risk of infection: Sexual contact, dirty syringes or cannulas and blood transfusions can pose a considerable health risk.
Tap water is chlorinated and relatively clean in urban areas, but sometimes there is a slight stomach upset. Water outside of cities is not always sterile and should be sterilized. Milk is pasteurized and can be drunk safely. Domestic dairy, meat, poultry, seafood, fruits and vegetables are usually also safe.
Note: Lesotho can only be reached via South Africa, so the South African health regulations must be observed.
In addition to my general disclaimer, please note the following important note:
A guarantee for the correctness and completeness of the medical information as well as a liability for possible damage cannot be assumed. You stay responsible for your healthy.
Traveling in Lesotho
Airplane: The airline Mission Aviation flies to domestic destinations.
Cars: The road network is not good, there are hardly any paved roads (around 2,000 km). A paved road leads from the north of Lesotho to the centers in the west and south of the country, the other roads are temporarily impassable during the rainy season. A four-wheel drive off-road vehicle is recommended. There are petrol stations in the larger cities and along the large connecting routes. Reserve gasoline should, however, be taken with you.
Traffic regulations: Left-hand traffic, seatbelts required, within towns: 50 km / h, outside: 80 km / h speed limit.
Documents: The international driver’s license is required
Bus: A good network of minibuses and buses connects many cities in Lesotho. Most do not drive according to set plans, but when all seats are occupied.