5open jobs
4organisations hiring
0violent events in 3 months
To prepare a mission or a new post: the essential context, region by region. This briefing does not replace your organisation's security briefing on arrival.
parliamentary constitutional monarchy
There are occasional political demonstrations in Maseru. These are usually peaceful, but there is a risk of isolated incidents of violence. Move away from demonstrations or gatherings, particularly if you see the security forces are present. Lesotho successfully held elections in 2022 but has had a history which includes political-related violence in past decades.
Sotho 99.7%, other 0.3% (includes Kwena, Nguni (Hlubi and Phuthi), Zulu)
Sesotho (official), English (official), Phuthi, Xhosa, Zulu
Protestant 47.8% (Pentecostal 23.1%, Lesotho Evangelical 17.3%, Anglican 7.4%), Roman Catholic 39.3%, other Christian 9.1%, non-Christian 1.4%, none 2.3% (2014 est.)
Country profiles: The World Factbook (CIA), public domain, last edition (2025-2026).
lower middle-income economy surrounded by South Africa; environmentally fragile and politically unstable; key infrastructure and renewable energy investments; dire poverty; urban job and income losses due to COVID-19; systemic corruption
2.4 MPopulation2025
44.7 %Urban population2025
$1,089GDP per capita2025
2 %GDP growth2025
4.3 %Inflation2025
41.9 %Extreme poverty (international line)2017
16.3 %Unemployment2025
90.4 %Adult literacy2024
51.8 %Internet users2024
60.6 %Access to electricity2024
478refugees hosted2025
202asylum seekers2025
58refugees and asylum seekers from the country2025
Indicators: World Bank (CC BY 4.0); refugees and displaced people: UNHCR Refugee Data Finder. Latest available year for each figure.
Lesotho Defense Force (LDF) (2025)
Informative list, to be complemented by your organisation's security analysis and NGO security forums.
UK government (FCDO) travel advice. Some guidance is aimed at British nationals; always follow your organisation's instructions.
No travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide. You may also find it helpful to:
If you choose to travel, research your destinations and get appropriate travel insurance. Insurance should cover your itinerary, planned activities and expenses in an emergency.
The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) provides advice about risks of travel to help you make informed decisions. Find out more about FCDO travel advice.
Sign up to get email notifications when this travel advice is updated.
Follow FCDO:
Organised violence events recorded by UCDP, July – September 2026.
No organised violence event recorded in the country over this period.
There is a high threat of terrorist attack globally affecting UK interests and British nationals, including from groups and individuals who view the UK and British nationals as targets. Stay aware of your surroundings at all times.
UK Counter Terrorism Policing has information and advice on staying safe and what to do in the event of a terrorist attack. Find out how to reduce your risk from terrorism while abroad.
Although there’s no recent history of terrorism in Lesotho, attacks cannot be ruled out.
There are occasional political demonstrations in Maseru. These are usually peaceful, but there is a risk of isolated incidents of violence. Move away from demonstrations or gatherings, particularly if you see the security forces are present. Lesotho successfully held elections in 2022 but has had a history which includes political-related violence in past decades.
Much of the violent crime in Lesotho is gun crime between organised crime groups. However, foreigners are vulnerable to opportunistic street crime and vehicle crime.
Gender-based violence is very high in Lesotho. Most crimes based on gender are between people who already know each other, but violence towards women and girls happens in all areas of the country.
Muggers can target foreign nationals. Do not walk alone in isolated areas or after dark.
Armed carjackers or robbers may try to stop your car or get into it while you are stationary. The danger is greatest in urban areas. Do not stop your car if people try to flag you down and do not give lifts to strangers.
Keep doors locked, windows shut and valuables out of sight. If you are driving across the country:
If you are caught up in an attack, do not offer any resistance.
Take precautions to safeguard your valuables and cash. Leave them in hotel safes, if possible. Keep copies of important documents, including your passport’s photo page and entry stamps, in a separate place.
There is often an increase in thefts, especially burglaries from villas, leading up to the Christmas and Easter holiday periods.
Always carry a copy of the photo page of your passport and your entry stamp. Officials may ask to see these.
Possession of drugs is a serious offence and punishments can be severe, including prison sentences.
Sexual activity between men is illegal, but FCDO is not aware of this being enforced. Showing affection in public may attract unwanted and negative attention.
Read more advice for LGBT+ travellers.
You can use a UK photocard driving licence to drive in Lesotho for up to 3 months. If you still have a paper driving licence, you may need to update it to a photocard licence or get the correct version of the international driving permit (IDP) as well.
Driving standards and road conditions in Lesotho are poor. You should drive with caution.
Animals roaming on the roads are a hazard, especially at night.
Local minibus taxis (‘4+1s’) may be poorly maintained and uninsured. They often ignore road safety rules including speed limits. Avoid using them and steer clear of them when driving.
It’s safer to use transport arranged by your accommodation or by a tour operator.
57.8yearsLife expectancy2024
60per 1,000 live birthsUnder-5 mortality2024
478per 100,000 live birthsMaternal mortality2023
0.24per 1,000 peoplePhysicians2022
78.1 %Basic drinking water access2024
Before you travel check that:
This is particularly important if you have a health condition or are pregnant.
If you need emergency medical assistance during your trip, call 112 and ask for an ambulance.
If 112 is not operating, call locally on 80093030121.
You can also access emergency treatment across the border in South Africa. Mediclinic Bloemfontein is a 90-minute drive (140km) from Maseru and has private ambulances.
Mediclinic: +27 51 404 6225
Ambulance: ER24 +27 102053588
Contact your insurance company quickly if you’re referred to a medical facility for treatment.
At least 8 weeks before your trip:
See what health risks you’ll face in Lesotho.
Altitude sickness is a risk in parts of Lesotho. Read more about altitude sickness on TravelHealthPro.
The legal status and regulation of some medicines prescribed or bought in the UK can be different in other countries.
Read best practice when travelling with medicines on TravelHealthPro.
Lesotho has basic medical facilities. Most foreign visitors use healthcare facilities in Bloemfontein, South Africa, a 90-minute drive from Maseru.
In Lesotho, Queen Mamohato Memorial Hospital (+266 2231 3260) and Maseru Private Hospital (+266 2233 3600) are the main hospitals. Both are in the Maseru area. Outside of Maseru there are District hospitals in most of the Districts.
FCDO has a list of medical providers in Lesotho where some staff will speak English.
Read FCDO guidance on travel and mental health. There is also mental health guidance on TravelHealthPro.
Passport Index Data (passportindex.org), MIT licence. Indicative, for a tourist stay; always check with the embassy or consulate. (17 February 2026)
This information is for people travelling on a full ‘British citizen’ passport from the UK. It is based on the UK government’s understanding of Lesotho’s current rules for the most common types of travel.
The authorities in Lesotho set and enforce entry rules. If you’re not sure how these requirements apply to you, contact the Lesotho High Commission Lesotho in the UK.
All visitors to Lesotho must travel through South Africa, whether travelling by air or land. You need to meet South Africa’s entry requirements.
To enter Lesotho, your passport must have an ‘expiry date’ at least 90 days after the date you arrive.
Make sure you get your passport stamped.
You need at least 4 blank pages for passport stamping. Lesotho border control need to stamp your passport and so do South African border control on your way to and from Lesotho.
Check with your travel provider that your passport and other travel documents meet requirements. Renew your passport if you need to.
You will be denied entry if you do not have a valid travel document or try to use a passport that has been reported lost or stolen.
When returning to the UK, British citizens must carry a valid British passport or certificate of entitlement. See Dual citizenship.
You can visit Lesotho for up to 90 days without a visa.
You can extend your stay by completing a 90-day temporary permit extension form and taking it to the Visa Application Centre in the Manthabiseng Convention Centre, Maseru. Your passport will need to be valid for the extension period.
If you overstay without permission, the authorities may detain you and will charge you weekly fines.
For details about medical entry requirements and recommended vaccinations, see TravelHealthPro’s Lesotho guide.
There are strict rules about goods you can take into or out of Lesotho. You must declare anything that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty.
Declare cash or travellers cheques in any currency if the value is 25,000 Lesotho loti or more. If you do not, the authorities could seize your money when you leave and you could be fined.
The Lesotho loti is pegged to the South African rand on a one-to-one basis. Both currencies are accepted throughout Lesotho.
UK debit and credit cards are widely accepted for payment and at ATMs. If you are travelling outside Maseru, take enough cash to cover local purchases.
Before you arrive, register with the coordination bodies: they share alerts, cluster meetings and useful contacts.
Clusters: health, nutrition, protection, WASH, food security, shelter, education, logistics, emergency telecommunications and CCCM. OCHA publishes their meetings and contacts in each country where they are activated.
Organisations hiring in the country, based on open jobs on the site:
See jobs in LesothoFunding ↗Tenders ↗Train in field security
Violence over the last 3 months, jobs and passages of official advice that mention the region.
No organised violence recorded over the period.
You can extend your stay by completing a 90-day temporary permit extension form and taking it to the Visa Application Centre in the Manthabiseng Convention Centre, Maseru. Your passport will need to be valid for the extension period.
UK debit and credit cards are widely accepted for payment and at ATMs. If you are travelling outside Maseru, take enough cash to cover local purchases.
No organised violence recorded over the period.
No organised violence recorded over the period.
No organised violence recorded over the period.
No organised violence recorded over the period.
No organised violence recorded over the period.
No organised violence recorded over the period.
No organised violence recorded over the period.
No organised violence recorded over the period.
No organised violence recorded over the period.
This briefing gathers public information to prepare a mission. It does not replace your organisation's security analysis, your security focal point's instructions or the country's authorities.