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Lesotho.
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Travelling to Lesotho: what to know before you go

Lesotho is a small mountain kingdom completely surrounded by South Africa, and almost all of it lies above 1,400 metres. It suits hikers, pony trekkers, road-trippers and anyone curious about Basotho culture, but tourism infrastructure is modest and the roads demand time and care.

Where to go

• Sani Pass. A steep gravel road zigzags up the Drakensberg escarpment from South Africa to the Lesotho border post at almost 2,900 metres.
• Maletsunyane Falls, Semonkong. Near the village of Semonkong, the Maletsunyane River drops roughly 190 metres in a single fall into a deep gorge.
• Thaba Bosiu. A flat-topped mountain near Maseru where King Moshoeshoe I founded the Basotho nation in the 19th century and held off attackers.
• Pony trekking at Malealea. Basotho ponies are sure-footed and still a working form of transport in the highlands.

Best time to visit

Spring and autumn (September to November and March to May) usually offer the best combination of clear skies and comfortable hiking temperatures. Summer, from about November to February, is warm and green but brings afternoon thunderstorms that can make dirt roads and river crossings difficult.

Staying online in Lesotho

Mobile coverage is reasonable in Maseru and the lowland towns along the western side of the country, and along some main roads. In the mountains coverage becomes patchy, and in deep valleys, on remote passes and in places like Sehlabathebe you may have no signal at all for hours. Wi-Fi is available in hotels and some lodges but can be slow. Download offline maps and share your route with someone before long drives. Install an eSIM before you travel and switch it on at the border or when you land in Johannesburg or Maseru.