Travel Vaccines and Advice for Lesotho

Yes, some vaccines are recommended or required for Lesotho. The CDC and WHO recommend the following vaccinations for Lesotho: hepatitis A, hepatitis B, typhoid, yellow fever, rabies, meningitis, polio, measles, mumps and rubella (MMR), Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis), chickenpox, shingles, pneumonia and influenza.

COVID-19 vaccination is recommended for travel to all regions, both foreign and domestic. Check with your local Passport Health clinic if immunization is offered in your area.

Medical facilities are scarce in Lesotho and there are no ambulance services. Depending on the treatment needed, you may be sent to South Africa. Good facilities are located in Blomfontein.

Medicare does not cover procedures done in Lesotho. It is recommended to get comprehensive travel medical insurance.

Visit our vaccinations page to learn more. Travel safely with Passport Health and schedule your appointment today by calling or book online now.

U.S. travelers must have a passport for travel to Lesotho. The country does not require a visa for stays under 180 days within a 12-month period.

Lesotho Entry Requirements
Do I Need A…	For My Trip to Lesotho?
Passport
Tourist Visa
Business Visa
Vaccinations

Sources: Embassy of Lesotho and U.S. State Department

Proof of yellow fever vaccination is not required if traveling from the United States. But, it may be necessary if coming to Lesotho from another African country.

Lesotho is a mountainous country, the weather can be different depending on where you are. Maseru, which is the capital city, is in the lowlands and has mild weather. The temperature there is usually between 70 and 80 degrees in the summer and 50 to 60 in the winter.

Semonkong is in the highlands and is cooler than Maseru. The temperature there is usually between 60 and 70 in the summer and 40 to 50 in the winter. Thaba Bosiu is also in the lowlands and has weather like Maseru. Katse Dam is in the highlands and is cooler like Semonkong. It rains a lot in Semonkong and Katse Dam, especially from October to April.

It’s always a good idea to check the weather forecast before planning a trip because the weather in Lesotho can be unpredictable.

Lesotho is a generally safe country to visit, but there are things you can do to stay safe while you’re there. Here are some tips:

• Be aware of your surroundings and keep your valuables close.
• Stay in a safe and reputable hotel or guesthouse.
• Don’t walk alone at night and use a taxi or ride-sharing app instead.
• Be respectful of the local culture and customs.
• Don’t carry too much cash and keep your wallet or purse close to you.
• Stay up-to-date on current events in Lesotho.
• Make sure to get vaccinated before traveling to Lesotho.

Following these tips can help you stay safe during your trip to Lesotho.

Due to its mountainous geography, Lesotho is considered a paradise to many hikers. Although there are not a lot of official hiking trails, there are many walking trails which allow hikers to more freedom to explore.

Hikes in Lesotho include rivers, gorges, caves and a variety of rock formations.

Some of the best hiking (and lodging) can be found in Lesotho’s National Parks such as Sehlabathebe National Park, Ts’ehlanyane National Park and the Bokong Nature Reserve.

If you plan on hiking in Lesotho, have map reading skills due to the number of unmarked trails.

Here are some essential items to consider for your trip to Lesotho:

• Get Loti (official currency) before coming to Lesotho. Cashing travelers checks can be a lengthy process and there are a limited amount of ATMs. Once out of big cities, most establishments won’t accept credit cards.
• Hand sanitizer
• Scarves. To protect from the elements and for rural areas where women must wear scarves to cover their heads.
• Prescription and emergency medications as pharmacies are hard to come by.
• If you go during the rainy season (May-September), bring rain gear.

All Americans visiting Lesotho should register online with the U.S. Department of State before departure. This will inform the office of your travel plans within the country and will allow them to reach out in the case of an emergency or evacuation.

Once in Lesotho, the information for the U.S. Embassy is:

U.S. Embassy Maseru
254 Kingsway Avenue
Maseru 100, Lesotho
Telephone: +(266) 2231-2666
Emergency After-Hours Telephone: +(266) 5888-4035
Fax: +(266) 2231-0116
Email: USConsularMaseru@state.gov

If you have any questions about traveling to Lesotho or are wondering what shots you may need for your trip, schedule an appointment with your local Passport Health travel medicine clinic. Call us at or book online now and protect yourself today.