Lesotho

Översikt

Lesotho is a small enclaved kingdom in southern Africa, which  experienced a high degree of political volatility following an attempted coup in August 2014, which has triggered the intervention of neighbouring South Africa and the bringing forward of legislative elections to February 2015. Additionally, petty crime, such as pickpocketing, purse snatching and mugging, is prevalent. 

Hälsa, sjukdomar och vaccination

Travellers are advised to consult a travel health specialist or general practitioner (GP) to obtain the latest information with regards to what vaccines are recommended about 4-8 weeks prior to departing for Lesotho. Make sure you are up-to-date on routine vaccines before your trip to Lesotho. The following vaccinations are recommended: measles-mumps-rubella (MMR), tetanus-diphtheria-pertussis, polio and influenza. Travellers might also consider the vaccinations for Hepatitis B and rabies, according to the specifics of their travel.

A Yellow Fever vaccination certificate is only required from travellers coming from a country with risk of Yellow Fever transmission.

Typhoid Fever vaccination is recommended when going outside the areas usually visited by tourists such as travelling extensively in the interior of the country, for persons on working assignments in remote areas, or travellers for extended period of time.

Despite its small population, Lesotho has the second highest HIV prevalence of 23.8% in the world, after Eswatini.

In addition to these health risks, travellers diarrhoea is the most common travel-related medical problem affecting travellers to Lesotho. It is advisable to bring anti-diarrhoea medication and oral rehydration salts to prevent dehydration. Travellers must take all necessary precautions when drinking water or eating food within the country and only drink water from sealed bottles obtained from a reputable source or water that has been boiled. 

Lesotho has very basic medical facilities that fall well short of European and North American standards. Hospitals exist in Maseru; however, treatment inside the country should only be sought in extreme circumstances.  

Most expatriates tend to use the private facilities in the nearby South African city of Bloemfontein in Free State. Specialist care is available in Bloemfontein, South Africa, 90 miles away. Therefore, comprehensive travel insurance is strongly advised, in case patients find themselves having to pay substantial amounts of money for treatment.

Pass

Your passport should be valid for at least six months from the date of exit from Lesotho. You must have at least two spare pages to allow the immigration authorities to affix visa stamps.

If you are arriving from a country where yellow fever is endemic, you will be required to present a valid yellow fever certificate to be allowed entry into Lesotho.

Visum

Visas are not required for nationals of Commonwealth member states, the US, many EU countries, Japan and South Korea. Travellers wishing to enter Lesotho should check with their closest Lesotho embassy if they require a visa.

Visas can be issued for periods up to six months, and can be renewed from inside Lesotho.

It is also important to note that access to Lesotho is almost always gained through South Africa, and so visitors to Lesotho will also need to be mindful of South African passport and visa regulations.