Thursday, August 26, 2021

Lesotho

Lesotho Flag


Why visit Lesotho?

Ideal for the outdoorsy travelers seeking to enjoy birdwatching, hiking, horseback riding, mountains, prehistoric footprints, rivers, ruins, skiing, and trout fishing.



Photo Credit: Herbert Bieser/Pixabay 




At a Glance
  • Souvenirs to Buy: Copper chess sets, gemstones, mats, porcupine quill jewelry, pottery, rock paintings, straw hats, tapestries, and weaved goods.
  • Local Cuisine to Try: Kebabs. Likhobe (Stew). Motoho (Porridge). Oxtail Stew. Ting (Porridge).
  • Local Drink to Try: Ginger Beer. Maluti Beer.



Photo Credit: Simon Allen/Pixabay 





Fun Facts
  • In 1966, declared independence from the United Kingdom (UK).
  • In 2007, a local textile worker's average income was $103USD per month.
  • In 2020, Thomas Motsoahae Thabane, Prime Minister stepped down following allegations of murdering his ex-wife.
  • Third largest in the world, completely surrounded by the territory of another country. 
  • Completely surrounded by South Africa.
  • Nearly 90% of the land consists of mountains.
  • The highest peak is Thabana Ntlenyana (11,420 ft).
  • Moyeni (south) has dinosaur footprints.
  • Diamonds are produced in: Kao, Letšeng, Liqhobong, and Mothae. Letšeng Mine the leading producer of value per carat.
  • Katse Botanical Gardens holds a collection of medicinal plants. 
  • Holds the highest literacy rate in Africa.
  • The Midlands in England imports their handcrafted woolen blanket.
  • Lesotho is divided into ten districts.
  • The Basotho blanket (thick wool cover) makes for their traditional attire.
  • Home to the highest rates of lightning strikes per square mile in the world.
  • Only independent state in the world entirely above 3,281 ft in elevation.
  • Approximately 40 million tons of soil are lost annually due to erosion.



Photo Credit: Herbert Bieser/Pixabay 





Special Holidays/Occasions
  • Annual Events: (February) Clarens Craft & Beer Festival, (March) Family Day, Moshoeshoe’s Day, Race to Rhodes, Surrender Hill Marathon, (April) Royal Drakensberg Mountain Bike Challenge, Splashy Fen Music Festival, (June) Duzi Trail Run, Ski Grand Prix, (July) Ski Festival, The Kings Cup, (August) 4 Peaks Mountain Challenge, National Snowboard Champs, (September) Morija Arts & Cultural Festival, Mont-Aux-Sources Challenge, Reggae Summer Fest, (October) Golden Gate Challenge, Soaring Eagle Mountain Run, (November) Ficksburg Cherry Festival, Ficksburg Cherry Race, Roof Of Africa, (December) High Altitude Summer Marathon, Lesotho Tourism Annual Festival, Lesotho and Jazz Festival.
  • HolidaysNew Year, Moshoeshoe's Birthday, March Equinox, Good Friday, Easter Monday, May Day, Ascension Day, Africa Heroes Day, June Solstice, King's Birthday, September Equinox, Independence Day, December Solstice, Christmas Day, and Boxing Day.



Photo Credit: Herbert Bieser/Pixabay 




Good to Know
  • Weak economy.
  • Summer (December - March) is prone to rain and thunderstorms
  • A stopover destination while traveling through South Africa.
  • Rural hut flags have various homeowner meanings of goods sold: Green = Vegetables, Red = Meat. White = Sorghum Beer, and Yellow - Barley Beer.
  • Highland snow occurs between May - September.
  • Medical facilities are limited and ambulance service is unreliable.
  • Skiing occurs between June - August (Oxbow).
  • Trout fishing is best between September - May.
  • Natives with a disability are known to face a significant cultural and social  barriers.
  • Crime rate is high and foreigners are known to be targeted.
  • Confine your explorations to daylight hours.
  • Avoid crowds and demonstrations.
  • Maximum VISA extensions permitted is five (up to 180 days). 
  • Leave your valuables at home as baggage theft is known to occur at O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB) (Johannesburg). Airport plastic wrapping service acts as a deterrent.
  • Majority of the roads are unpaved, a four-wheel-drive is recommended .
  • Highest incidence of tuberculosis in the world.
  • Due to high altitude take precaution and pace yourself.
  • Rental cars are only available in Maseru.
  • Significant levels of child labour does exist.
  • Consensual same-sex sexual relations is criminalized.
  • Visiting or transferring through South Africa two blank VISA pages are required.  All children under 18 are required to carry their birth certificate as well.  
  • Traffic flows from the left, with vehicle steering on right.
  • Prone to droughts, causing food and water shortages.
  • Avoid mini-bus taxis.
  • Do not consume tap water.
  • Second  highest HIV/AIDS prevalence rate in the world. 

This international destination requires:
  • A valid passport with three months of validity following return and one blank page for entry stamp.
  • Tourist VISA not required for visits under 30 days.
  • Yellow Fever Vaccination from select countries. 


Maloti-Drakensberg Park (Jonathan's Gate), Sehlabathebe, Lesotho. Photo Credit: Arthur Hickinbotham/Unsplash 



  • Best Time to Visit: April - October
  • Coldest Month: June - August
  • Hottest Months: December - March
  • Peak Season: October - November & March - April


Photo Credit: WhiskerFlowers/Pixabay 




Your Must-See & Do
  • UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Maloti-Drakensberg Park 


Photo Credit: Herbert Bieser/Pixabay 



Ready to embark on custom and personalized services, your journey begins with Louvet Travel

Your one stop source: Accommodations I Air I Car Rentals I Cruises I Disney Excursions I Tours I Transfers I Travel Insurance I Villa Rentals


Stay connected, find us online: Alignable Facebook  LinkedIn  Pinterest Twitter 

"The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only one page" Saint Augustine


All information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Subject to change without notice.

1 comment:

  1. 1XBET - 100% FREE - XN
    XN - Sportsbook | #1 Sportsbook | Odds | Sportsbook | Betting Lines | Predictions | Best Bets | Props | Live 다파벳 Betting Odds | Sportsbook 1XBET Xn - Sportsbook matchpoint Online | Sportsbook

    ReplyDelete

Jerez de la Frontera, Spain

                                                                                                          Photo Credit: Anatolii Maks / Pixa...