Packing list for Lesotho, travel insurance for Lesotho and taking your belongings

What to take to Lesotho: brief

To pack and check:

• Documents and money: a passport that is valid for at least 90 days after arrival and has enough blank pages for the various border stamps. If you are travelling via South Africa, you will of course also need to meet South Africa's entry requirements. For many travellers, a visa is not required for stays of up to 90 days, but check the requirements for your nationality. Bring your travel insurance details, copies of important documents and, if needed, an international driving permit. Lesotho uses the Lesotho loti (LSL), which is pegged one-to-one to the South African rand. Both currencies are accepted in Lesotho. In larger towns you can often pay by card, but cash is useful outside Maseru.
• Clothing: bring clothing for different temperatures. It can be cold in the mountains even outside winter, and temperatures can drop significantly at night. Layers are therefore the most practical option: a T-shirt, warm mid-layer and wind or rain jacket. In summer, daytime temperatures can be warm and sunny.
• Shoes: sturdy hiking shoes for the mountains and natural areas. Sneakers are fine for Maseru and shorter outings.
• Toiletries and hygiene: high-factor sunscreen, lip balm, hand sanitiser and your usual toiletries.
• Packing and protecting your belongings: a good rain cover for your backpack or daypack.
• Insects and animals: bring insect repellent for walks and outdoor activities. There is no malaria risk in Lesotho, but mosquitoes, ticks and other biting insects can still occur.
• Sleeping: a warm sleeping bag if you are camping, especially outside the summer months.
• Medication and travel first aid kit: bring a small but complete travel first aid kit with ORS, plasters, blister plasters, painkillers, medication for diarrhea, hand sanitiser, a thermometer and any personal medication.
• Outdoor and useful items: sunglasses, a sun hat or cap, a reusable water bottle with a filter and a small daypack. If you are hiking in the mountains, also bring a headlamp and a basic emergency blanket.
• Technology and equipment: a travel adapter for type M power sockets. A power bank is useful when spending longer periods outside Maseru or in the mountains.
• Safety and theft: a money belt or securely closing bag is useful, especially in Maseru.

To consider:

• A warm hat and gloves for hiking at higher altitudes.
• A sleeping bag liner for extra comfort in basic mountain huts or when camping.
• A fleece or warm mid-layer for cold evenings.
• Hiking poles for steep mountain trails.
• A water filter or water purification tablets if you are hiking independently for longer periods.
• Offline maps, especially if you are heading into remote mountain areas.

Are there mosquitoes in Lesotho?

• Yes, mosquitoes do occur in Lesotho, but fortunately there is no risk of malaria.
• Other insect-borne diseases can occur, however. Especially if you spend a lot of time outdoors, it is therefore sensible to protect yourself against insect bites with long clothing and an effective insect repellent.
• Ticks are also something to be aware of, particularly when hiking or camping.
• More about protection against mosquitoes and insects.

Are there sandflies in Lesotho?

• Sandflies are not considered a problem for visitors to Lesotho.
• An insect repellent is of course still useful if you spend a lot of time outdoors.
• More about sandflies and sand fleas.

Are DEET, or other insect repellents, available in Lesotho?

• Insect repellents can be found in larger towns, but if you are heading into remote mountain areas, don't expect to find it anywhere.
• Bringing enough DEET, picaridin, or another suitable insect repellent, especially if you are camping or going on longer hikes, is therefore a sensible choice.
• More about DEET.

Is it legal to buy a joint or weed in Lesotho, or bring it with you to Lesotho?

• No. Drugs, including cannabis, are all illegal in Lesotho. The use, possession, sale, and importation of drugs can result in severe penalties and lengthy prison sentences. So better not to bring it with you and have a thorough check of any left-behinds in your bags before heading off.