Lesotho
Country Specific Information
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December 28, 2011

COUNTRY DESCRIPTION: Lesotho is a constitutional monarchy with a democratically elected lower house of parliament. The upper house, the Senate, is comprised of appointed hereditary chiefs and politicians. A Prime Minister is the head of the government. Geographically, Lesotho is an extremely mountainous developing nation located entirely within the country of South Africa. The capital, Maseru, is at 5,000 feet (1,500M) above sea level, and the mountains reach to 11,400 feet (3,500M). Facilities for tourism are limited, but are continually being developed. A limited number of restaurants are available in Maseru. Read the Department of State Background Notes on Lesotho for additional information.

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SMART TRAVELER ENROLLMENT PROGRAM (STEP) / EMBASSY LOCATION: If you are going to live in or visit Lesotho, please take the time to tell our embassy about your trip. If you enroll, we can keep you up to date with important safety and security announcements. It will also help your friends and family get in touch with you in an emergency. Here’s the link to the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program.

Local embassy information is available below and at the Department of State’s list of embassies and consulates.

U.S. Embassy Maseru
254 Kingsway Avenue
Maseru 100, Lesotho
Telephone: (266) 2231-2666
Emergency after-hours telephone: (266) 5888-4035
Facsimile: (266) 2231-0116

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ENTRY / EXIT REQUIREMENTS FOR U.S. CITIZENS: A passport is required, but no visa for U.S. citizens is needed for visits of 180 days or less. Vaccination for yellow fever is a common requirement and travelers should carry their international vaccination cards with them. For more information concerning entry requirements, travelers may contact the Embassy of the Kingdom of Lesotho, 2511 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008; telephone: (202) 797-5533. Visit the Embassy of Lesotho’s website for the most current visa information.

Some HIV/AIDS entry restrictions exist for visitors to and foreign residents of Lesotho. Lesotho border guards have the discretion to deny entry to visitors with HIV/AIDS. Please verify this information with the Embassy of Lesotho before you travel.

Information about dual nationality or the prevention of international child abduction can be found on our website. For further information about customs regulations, please read our Customs Information page.

While U.S. citizens normally do not need a visa for South Africa if they plan to stay less than 90 days, South African visa requirements may change for individuals who have resided in Lesotho for an extended period of time. Check with the High Commission of South Africa in Maseru if you are planning to travel in South Africa.

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THREATS TO SAFETY AND SECURITY: U.S. citizens should avoid political gatherings and street demonstrations and maintain security awareness at all times. There is high potential that large gatherings could transform from non-violent to violent at anytime.

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CRIME: Lesotho has a high rate of crime. U.S. citizens should remain vigilant about their surroundings at all times. Foreigners are frequently targeted, robbed, car-jacked and sometimes killed. While an increased number of U.S. citizens have reported incidents, including sexual assault, armed and unarmed confrontations, car-jacking, and home invasions, all occurring in broad daylight, there are no indications that U.S. citizens are targeted because of their nationality. Lesotho’s high unemployment rate and the ongoing effects of social upheaval due to high HIV/AIDS rates of infection, continue to contribute to an increasing number of reported crimes. These types of crimes occur primarily in the capital city of Maseru, but can occur elsewhere in Lesotho. Crime scenes have included popular restaurants, pedestrian overpasses, poorly lit or unlit roads, and other locations foreigners are known to frequent. Victims have included foreign diplomats, volunteer workers, employees of non-governmental organizations, and nationals of Lesotho.

U.S. citizens are advised to avoid large groups and demonstrations, walking and driving at early morning hours and nighttime if possible, and casual walking in the downtown area of the capital city of Maseru even during daylight. Personal crime is more likely to occur at night and during the earlier morning hours, but, as noted above, there have been numerous recent incidents in the middle of the day. Residences with 24-hour guards are generally less likely to be targeted. 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, the LMPS response time can vary widely. U.S. citizens should report crime to the police and to the embassy’s consular section.

There is a serious baggage pilferage problem at Johannesburg International Airport, also known as Oliver Tambo International Airport, in South Africa. Persons traveling by air to Lesotho must travel via Johannesburg. The pilferage problem particularly affects travelers changing airlines and those flying on smaller airlines. Passengers flying on major international carriers may not be affected to the same degree. Travelers are encouraged to secure their luggage, use an airport plastic wrapping service, and avoid placing currency, electronics, jewelry, cameras or other valuables 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 ar the bootlegs illegal in the United States, if you purchase them you may also be breaking local law.

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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 (see the Department of State’s list of embassies and consulates ). 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, we can contact family members or friend.
  • 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 call (266) 5888-1010 to speak to the police 24/7.

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

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CRIMINAL PENALTIES: While in Lesotho, U.S. citizens are subject to Lesotho’s laws and regulations, which sometimes can differ significantly from those in the United States and may not afford the protections available to U.S. citizens under U.S. law. It is important to know what’s legal and what’s not in Lesotho. Penalties for breaking the law can be more severe than in the United States for similar offenses. Persons violating Lesotho laws, even unknowingly, may be expelled, arrested or imprisoned. Penalties for possession, use, or trafficking in illegal drugs in Lesotho are severe, and convicted offenders can expect long jail sentences and heavy fines. Engaging in sexual conduct with children or using or disseminating child pornography in a foreign country is a crime prosecutable in the United States.

Based on the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations, bilateral agreements with certain countries, and customary international law, if you are arrested in Lesotho, you have the option to request that the police, prison officials, or other authorities alert the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate of your arrest, and to have communications from you forwarded to the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate.

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SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES: Tap water is not reliably potable. Visitors to the interior of Lesotho should bring clothing and equipment suitable for cold weather during the winter months (June - October). In the mountains, weather conditions can deteriorate rapidly. In winter, snow often closes mountain passes and temperatures often drop below freezing during the night, even in the lowlands. Lesotho has one of the highest rates of lightning strikes per square mile in the world, and lightning-related deaths are not uncommon. During a storm, find shelter in a building or car.

Accessibility: While in Lesotho, individuals with disabilities may find accessibility and accommodation very different from what you find in the United States. The only legislation that covers accessibility in Lesotho is the Buildings Control Act of 1995. The law requires all buildings be made accessible; it does not, however, mandate any penalties for non-compliance; enforcement is therefore limited. There is no mandated access to transportation, footpaths, road crossings, or parking. There are no free or reduced fares for transport, and very few accessible places of lodging, medical facilities, restaurants, cafes, and bars.

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MEDICAL FACILITIES AND HEALTH INFORMATION: Medical facilities in Lesotho are limited. Good medical service is available in Bloemfontein, South Africa, 90 miles west of Maseru. There is no reliable ambulance service in Lesotho. U.S. Embassy Maseru maintains a list of physicians and other health care professionals who may see U.S. citizen patients. The Embassy does not guarantee their services or provide recommendations.

Many medicines are unavailable at facilities in Lesotho; travelers should carry with them an adequate supply of needed medicines and/or prescription drugs, along with copies of prescriptions. Lesotho has a very high HIV/AIDS prevalence rate, currently estimated at 23% percent of the general population.

You can find detailed information on vaccinations and other health precautions on the CDC website. For information about outbreaks of infectious diseases abroad, consult the World Health Organization (WHO) website. The WHO website also contains additional health information for travelers, including detailed country-specific health information.

Tuberculosis is an increasingly serious health concern in Lesotho. For further information, please consultthe CDC's information on TB."

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MEDICAL INSURANCE: You can’t assume your insurance will go with you when you travel overseas. It is very important to find out BEFORE you leave whether or not your medical insurance will cover you overseas. You need to ask your insurance provider two questions:

  • Does my policy apply when I’m out of the United States?
  • Will it cover emergencies like a trip to a foreign hospital or a medical evacuation?

In many places, doctors and hospitals still expect payment in cash at the time of service. Your regular U.S. health insurance may not cover doctors’ and hospital visits in other countries. If your policy does not go with you when you travel overseas, it’s a very good idea to take out a temporary policy for your trip. For more information, please see our medical insurance overseas page.

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TRAFFIC SAFETY AND ROAD CONDITIONS: While in a foreign country, U.S. citizens may encounter road conditions that differ significantly from those in the United States. The information below concerning Lesotho 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 undisciplined local driving habits result in frequent collisions. Lesotho has a high number of traffic-related deaths and injuries given its small size. 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, and cars rented in neighboring South Africa may be brought into Lesotho with written permission from 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 service exists in the capital, but roving mini-bus taxis should be avoided. There is no passenger train service in the country.

Although the number of paved roads is gradually increasing, the majority of Lesotho’s 5,000 miles of roads are 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, and unfenced livestock pose a particular danger. Lesotho's mountainous terrain makes driving on secondary roads hazardous. Unpaved roads in the interior, often narrow, twisty 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 required for entering 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 emergencies.

Please refer to our Road Safety page for more information.

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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.

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CHILDREN’S ISSUES: Please see our Office of Children’s Issues web pages on intercountry adoption and international parental child abduction.

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This replaces the Country Specific Information for Lesotho dated December 7, 2010, to update sections on Entry-Exit Requirements, Crime and Special Circumstances.

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