Language: English is the official language, but Sesotho, Xhosa and Zulu are widely spoken.
Currency: The official currency is the Loti (LSL) or plural Maloti, which is divided into 100 lisente. It has the same value as the South African Rand, and Rands are accepted as legal currency. Banks and exchange bureaus are found in
Maseru and in most main towns. Most major hotels, shops, restaurants and travel agencies accept credit cards; it is best to check with credit and debit card companies as to their acceptance before leaving. Travelers cheques can be cashed at banks in Maseru.
Local ATMs in
Lesotho have the facility to accept international ATM cards but are unreliable.
Time: Local time is GMT +2.
Electricity: Electrical current is 220 volts, 50Hz. The three-prong, round pin South African plug is used.
Communications: The international dialing code for Lesotho is +266. The outgoing code is 00 followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 0027 for
South Africa). There are no city/area codes required. Telephone and fax services are available in all main towns and at major hotels. Internet cafes are available in Maseru. A GSM 900 mobile network is limited to the main urban areas and has limited active roaming agreements with other mobile phone operators; visitors should check with their local networks to see if they have roaming agreements with the operators in Lesotho.
Duty Free: Travelers to Lesotho do not have to pay duty on 400 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 250g tobacco; 2 liters wine and 1 liter of alcohol; 250ml eau de toilette and 50ml perfume; other gifts to the value of L500. No liquor may be imported by South African nationals.
Tourist OfficeMinistry of Tourism, Sports and Culture, Maseru: +266 313 034 or www.lesotho.gov.ls
EmergencyEmergencies: 123/124 (Police); 121 (Ambulance)
Embassies
Kingdom of Lesotho Embassy,
Washington DC,
United States: +1 202 797 5533.
Kingdom of
Lesotho High Commission,
London, United Kingdom: +44 (0)20 7235 5686.
Kingdom of
Lesotho Consulate,
Vancouver,
Canada: +1 604 681 9887.
Kingdom of
Lesotho Embassy, Tokoyo,
Japan (also responsible for
Australia): +81 (0)3 3584 7455.
Kingdom of Lesotho High Commission,
Pretoria, South Africa: +27 (0)12 460 7648.
Kingdom of Lesotho Embassy,
Dublin,
Ireland: +353 (0)1 676 2233.
Kingdom of Lesotho Embassy,
Beijing,
China (also responsible for
New Zealand): +86 (0)10 6532 6843.
United States Embassy, Maseru: +266 2231 2666.
British Honorary Consul, Maseru: +266 223 13929.
Canadian
High Commission, Pretoria, South Africa (also responsible for Lesotho): +27 (0)12 422 3000.
Australian High Commission, Pretoria, South Africa (also responsible for Lesotho): +27 12 423 6000.
South
African Consulate, Maseru: + 266 2231 4700.
Irish Embassy, Maseru: +266 2231 4068.
New Zealand High Commission, Pretoria, South Africa (also responsible for Lesotho): +27 (0)12 342 8656/7/8/9.
