Handy to know

Currency: Loti (M1 = R1); the rand is accepted
Fuel: Leaded and lead-free petrol and diesel are readily available.
Malaria risk: Low
Emergency numbers: 123/124 (police); 121 (ambulance)
SA consulate: Standard Lesotho Bank Tower, 10th Floor, Kingsway, Maseru; 00266 2231 4700; maseru.political@foreign.gov.za
Consulates in SA: 011 339 3653; lcgjhb@worldonline.co.za
More information: http://wikitravel.org/en/Lesotho

Documents required

Visa: Not required for SA passport holders
International driver’s licence: Valid SA driver’s licence
Inoculation certificate: Hepatitis A and tetanus vaccinations are recommended.
Medical insurance: Not required to enter Lesotho. In the event of an medical emergency it is always safe to evacuate to the nearest SA hospital.
Vehicle insurance: Always inform your insurance company when you take your vehicle across the border.
Vehicle registration documents: Certified copies are sufficient.
Clearance certificates: A police clearance certificate is not required when visiting for short periods of about a month.

At the border post

Cost: R20 (tollgate fee)
Equipment: None required, but a red emergency triangle is advised.
ZA sticker: No
What may I take in? Anything (legal). At the SA border, declare cameras and laptops with SARS. At the Lesotho Revenue Authority on the Lesotho side of the border, declare and produce all receipts of groceries and other consumable items bought in SA.
What else? You aren’t allowed to take plants out of the country.
Border post times: Maseru and Ficksburg 24 hours; Makhaleng 08.00-18.00 (weekdays), 08.00-16.00 (weekends); Sani Pass 08.00-16.00

Originally published in DO #42 Jan-Feb 2011