FAQs Lesotho Travel

The Mountain Kingdom of Lesotho may be rugged and untamed, yet it holds a gentle beauty—delicate as a spring blossom, soft as the summer grass draping its rolling hills, refreshing like a sparkling mountain stream in autumn, and both awe-inspiring and austere against the backdrop of a winter landscape.

No matter your preferred season, Lesotho has something to offer. But perhaps its greatest gift is the quiet closeness of nature, providing a sense of peace and tranquility unmatched anywhere else—an ideal refuge for the overworked and overstressed.

Lesotho boasts low humidity and exceptionally clean air, making it a refreshing destination year-round. Each season brings its own unique charm and beauty.

Flora Highlights

• February: Look out for vibrant Red-hot Pokers and blooming Aloes.
• March/April: Fields come alive with the soft pinks and whites of cosmos flowers.
• September: The landscape is sprinkled with the delicate pink hues of peach blossoms.

What to Pack

No matter when you visit, it’s essential to be prepared for all kinds of weather. Pack long trousers, a warm fleece, rain gear, sunscreen, and a hat. Winters, especially from 4:30 pm to 9:00 am, can be bitterly cold with temperatures often dipping below zero. For this, bring thermal underwear, gloves, warm hats, and scarves. However, daytime temperatures are usually milder, allowing for t-shirts and shorts during the warmer parts of the day.

November to April (Summer)

Following the first rains in October or November, the countryside transforms into a lush, green paradise. Summers can be hot, with sudden, short-lived thundershowers, hailstorms, and lightning. The majority of Lesotho’s rain falls during this seven-month summer season from November to April.

May to October (Winter)

Winters in Lesotho are dry, with bright, sunny days and crisp, clear skies. Early mornings can be freezing until around 9:00 am, but daytime temperatures warm up, only to drop sharply again after 4:30 pm. June is typically the coldest month, with minimum temperatures around 0°C. Snowfalls are common at the start and end of winter. While snow at Malealea usually melts the next day, the distant Thaba Putsoa mountain range often retains its snowy cap for longer, offering breathtaking, snowy vistas.

Yes, foreign passport holders (including South Africans) must pay an Attraction and Tourism Levy of R100 per adult (over 13) and a toll gate fee of R90 per vehicle. Payments are cash only.

You need to carry a certified copy of your vehicle registration certificate in your car and keep a copy of the original on your phone.

Make sure your car and driver's licenses are up to date.

Children U/18 need full unabridged birth certificates when travelling with their parents. If the children are travelling with one parent or with friends, the necessary documents and affidavits are also required. Please click on this link for more information: Travelling abroad with Children U/18

Ensure your passport is stamped on both the South African and Lesotho sides. Failure to do so may cause issues when exiting the country.

You can bring groceries but you must keep receipts in case you are asked for them. It is illegal to bring alcohol into Lesotho.

If you are not on roaming, internet connectivity will be lost after crossing the border.  We recommend you buy an Econet Sim card from a registered agent when you cross the border. 

A new Econet Tower has been installed in the Malealea Valley with 4G connectivity. To stay connected we recommend you buy an Econet Starter Pack as you enter the country. You need to register this with your passport. Insert the sim card into your phone and buy airtime which you can transfer to data. We recommend that you insert this sim card into a Wifi dongle (if you have one) and use this as your Wifi connection. Google Maps may not work without internet connectivity. Consider using offline maps or local guidance.

Take those same world-weary individuals and immerse them in the cultural landscapes and experiences of a Lesotho trek, and it’s impossible for them not to open their eyes and minds. They encounter people who live differently—who have unique needs, priorities, and goals shaped by entirely different circumstances. Yet, the surprising realization dawns: the core challenges are universal—Survival, Profit, Competition, and Quality of Life. This newfound awareness shifts perspectives, and as you stand in the fresh, crisp dawn, you notice your thoughts evolving. While you admire the charm of the people around you, you begin to realize you’re also learning from them.

Of course, the adventures faced during a trek are fantastic for  family & friendship bonding or team building. Ultimately, a pony trek in Lesotho will have moments that challenge you to close your eyes and moments that compel you to open them wide. Either way, you’ll return to your own world with renewed energy and a fresh outlook.

Malealea Lodge is located in the beautiful Malealea Valley in the Mafeteng District of Lesotho, approximately 90 km from Maseru and 60 km from the nearest town of Mafeteng

You can reach us by self-drive or public transport. For self-drive, we recommend a high-clearance vehicle due to the final 7 km gravel road. Minibus taxis run from Maseru and Mafeteng—please contact us in advance, and we can help connect you with reliable transport or arrange a private transfer.