Lesotho
Lesotho is a mountain kingdom where over 80% of the land lies above 1,800 meters. Visit for high passes, Basotho blankets and village life.
Lesotho is a landlocked kingdom in Southern Africa, completely surrounded by South Africa. Its capital and largest city is Maseru. The country lies in the Maloti Mountains, and over 80% of it sits above 1,800 meters, so expect high passes, cold nights and rough mountain roads. Thaba Bosiu, a mountain stronghold, was the capital of King Moshoeshoe I before administration moved to Maseru. Basotho blankets are the core of national dress, and chesanyama, meat sold by roadside vendors, is common across the country.
Choose this trip for mountain roads, small villages and history. Snow is most common in the highlands from May to September, and rain falls mainly from October to April. April to October is the best window for drier weather and the best mountain views. Allow extra time for the border crossing from South Africa and for slow driving on rough roads. Pack warm layers for cold nights at altitude, since winter lowland temperatures can drop to about -7 °C and the highlands to about -18 °C.
Five things to know before Lesotho
- Carry rand as well as maloti
The loti (plural maloti) is at par with the South African rand, which is also accepted in the country, so you can use either. Money and costs
- Rent a 4x4 for the mountain roads
Over 80% of the country lies above 1,800 meters and the roads are rough. Storms can cut roads and passes, so ask your rental company and hotel what is open before you set out. Sani Pass
- Plan every road trip around the South African border
Lesotho is landlocked and completely surrounded by South Africa, so travel into and out of the country by road means crossing the South African border. Keep your passport and entry papers to hand at each border post. Visas and entry
- Pack a warm layer for cold nights
Winter lowland temperatures can drop to about -7 °C and the highlands to about -18 °C. Snow is most common in the highlands from May to September. Clothing
- Dress modestly in churches and villages
Over 95% of people are Christian and churches are central to community life, so dress modestly and respect Sunday services. Culture
Lesotho travel guides
Practical guides from writers who live there.
Village with remnants of 18th to 20th century trading posts.
Read the guideSani PassThe mountain pass road and what to check before you drive it.
Read the guideMaseruThe capital and largest city, on the South African border.
Read the guideSehlabathebe National ParkMountain park on the Drakensberg escarpment in the south east.
Read the guideThaba BosiuMountain stronghold and former capital of King Moshoeshoe I.
Read the guideVisas and entryEntry rules by passport and what to carry at the border.
Read the guide
When to go
- Rainy days
- Days with storms
- Best
- JanuaryClear12 rainy daysHigh29°Low16°Rainy, stormsJanuaryClear
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 16°
- Precipitation
- 125 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rainy, storms
- FebruaryRain12 rainy daysHigh28°Low16°Heaviest rainFebruaryRain
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 16°
- Precipitation
- 120 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Heaviest rain
- MarchClear11 rainy daysHigh26°Low14°Rainy seasonMarchClear
- High
- 26°
- Low
- 14°
- Precipitation
- 81 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rainy season
- AprilClear10 rainy daysHigh22°Low10°Drier season startsAprilClear
Best
- High
- 22°
- Low
- 10°
- Precipitation
- 87 mm
- Rainy days
- 10
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Drier season starts
- MayClear3 rainy daysHigh19°Low6°Snow startsMayClear
- High
- 19°
- Low
- 6°
- Precipitation
- 21 mm
- Rainy days
- 3
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Snow starts
- JuneClear2 rainy daysHigh16°Low3°Driest, coldJuneClear
Best
- High
- 16°
- Low
- 3°
- Precipitation
- 13 mm
- Rainy days
- 2
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Driest, cold
- JulyClear2 rainy daysHigh16°Low2°Cold, snowJulyClear
- High
- 16°
- Low
- 2°
- Precipitation
- 11 mm
- Rainy days
- 2
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold, snow
- AugustClear2 rainy daysHigh19°Low5°Cold, snowAugustClear
- High
- 19°
- Low
- 5°
- Precipitation
- 13 mm
- Rainy days
- 2
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold, snow
- SeptemberClear3 rainy daysHigh24°Low9°Drier seasonSeptemberClear
Best
- High
- 24°
- Low
- 9°
- Precipitation
- 19 mm
- Rainy days
- 3
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Drier season
- OctoberClear6 rainy daysHigh26°Low11°Rains returnOctoberClear
- High
- 26°
- Low
- 11°
- Precipitation
- 43 mm
- Rainy days
- 6
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rains return
- NovemberClear9 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh27°Low13°Rainy seasonNovemberClear
- High
- 27°
- Low
- 13°
- Precipitation
- 74 mm
- Rainy days
- 9
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 1
Rainy season
- DecemberRain13 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh29°Low15°Heavy rainDecemberRain
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 15°
- Precipitation
- 122 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 1
Heavy rain
Average daily high and low in Maseru, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Lesotho
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
17
- Feels like
- 14°
- Humidity
- 37%
- Wind
- 4 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 67%
Maseru
10:36 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today25°12°67%Monday: Thunderstorms. High 25°, Low 12°. Chance of rain 67%.
- Tue27°12°84%Tuesday: Rain. High 27°, Low 12°. Chance of rain 84%.
- Wed28°13°3%Wednesday: Clear. High 28°, Low 13°. Chance of rain 3%.
- Thu29°15°83%Thursday: Rain. High 29°, Low 15°. Chance of rain 83%.
- Fri28°14°25%Friday: Clear. High 28°, Low 14°. Chance of rain 25%.
- Sat27°11°33%Saturday: Drizzle. High 27°, Low 11°. Chance of rain 33%.
- Sun22°7°31%Sunday: Clear. High 22°, Low 7°. Chance of rain 31%.
Updated 10:21 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 16.69 LSL
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Before you go to Lesotho
Lesotho FAQ
Do I need a visa for Lesotho?
It depends on your passport. Check the entry requirements on the UK government advice page or with Lesotho's immigration authorities before you book, since rules differ by nationality.
How many days do I need in Lesotho?
Mountain roads are rough and slow, and the country covers about 30,355 km2. Pick one mountain area and one lowland stop, such as Maseru, and keep the route short.
What language do they speak in Lesotho?
Sesotho is the native language of most Basotho. English is widely understood in official and tourist settings.
Is Lesotho safe to visit?
Political tensions have flared before, including unrest in Maseru in 1998 that damaged much of the capital, and an alleged military coup attempt in 2014 forced the prime minister to flee to South Africa for three days. Check the current situation before you travel.
What should I eat in Lesotho?
Try motoho, a fermented sorghum porridge, and pap, a cornmeal porridge served with vegetable sauce. Chesanyama, meat sold by roadside vendors, is common and is served with cabbage, pap and baked bean salad.
When is the best time to visit Lesotho?
April to October brings drier weather and the best mountain views. Snow is common in the highlands from May to September.