Destination Guides
Lesotho

 
ravel - International
 
Air

Lesotho’s national airline has closed down. South African Airways (SA) has daily flights to Maseru from Johannesburg (flight time is approximately one hour 10 minutes), where connections to the rest of the world can be made.

 
Approximate flight times

From Maseru to London is 14 hours (including a stopover of two hours).

 
Main airports

Maseru (MSU) (Moshoeshoe International) is 18km (11 miles) south of Maseru. Buses go to the city (travel time – 30 minutes). Airport facilities include a bank and bureau de change (with limited opening hours on Tuesday and Friday), bar, restaurant, flight information, left luggage facilities, car hire and post office.

 
Departure tax

LSL20; transit passengers and children under five years are exempt.

 
Road

There are three major road links to South Africa: at Caledonsport, Ficksburg Bridge and Maseru Bridge. Other crossing points exist, but the road surfaces are not as good. Maseru Bridge and Ficksburg Bridge are open 24 hours a day. Caledonsport is open by 0800 but may close as early as 1600. Bus: Minibuses run regularly between Maseru and Johannesburg.
Road tax: M5, payable by all travellers leaving Lesotho by road.

 
Rail

Lesotho is linked with the South African railway system by a short line (2.6km/1.6 miles) from Maseru to Marseilles, on the Bloemfontein/Natal main line. However, this is only used for goods trains at present.

 
 
 
ravel - Internal
 
Road

Traffic drives on the left. The road system is underdeveloped and few roads are paved. The main road which runs through the towns from the north to the western and southern borders is tarred, but other roads can be impassable during the rainy season. There are minibuses in the lowlands. Car hire is available in Maseru. It is advised not to drive in rural areas at night (or even walk around Maseru at night). There have been incidents of mugging and vehicle hijacking. Documentation: An International Driving Permit is recommended. National driving licences are normally valid, provided that they are either in English or accompanied by a certified translation. Enquire at the High Commission or Embassy for details.

 
Travel times

The following chart gives travel times (in hours and minutes) from Maseru to other towns in Lesotho.
Road
Teyateyaneng -
Mokhotlong 7.00
Qachas Nek 8.00
Mohales Hoek 1.30
Mafeteng 1.00