LESOTHO (information)

　

stay: 2005/Apr/20..2005/Apr/26

　

general view **********************************************

The pronunciation, 'LESOTHO' is 'le-soo-too.' You can get information about accommodation, road condition and so on at the Tourist Information in Maseru. The local people is wearing native costumes. But you may be disappointed because they often require something to eat or money.

We Japanese don't need visa.

　

climate **********************************************

I visited there in April. It was 5 degrees in the morning and 40 degrees in the daytime. When it is cloudy or rain, the temperature becomes low all the time. Even though the sunshine is strong, the wind is cold. Rider needs winter equipment. The altitude is 2,000..3,000 m, so your engine power will go down. They have much rain in April and October. I met thunderstorm and hail there.

　

money **********************************************

*$1=M6.0? Rand:Maloty=1:1 (fixed exchange rate)

*ATM for visa is in Maseru.

You cannot exchange maloty to other currency out of LESOTHO. You should use all maloty in LESOTHO or change maloty to rand banks or shops in LESOTHO before leaving.

　

prices **********************************************

There are some supermarkets. The prices are same as RSA or a little cheap. The petrol is a little cheaper than RSA.

accommodation; (room)50.., (tent)25.., petrol; 4/L, beer; (large)8.5+(deposit)2, (350ml)4.5, (can)8, Internet; 15/h

　

Tax Refund;

You'd better think it's impossible at a border between RSA and LESOTHO. I couldn't do it at least at Maseru bridge border and some other west borders.

　

accommodation **********************************************

They have enough parking space as long as there's no note in the following. But the security is your own responsibility.

　

in Maseru (capital)

Agrican Training Center (S29-18'33.9" E027-28'56.7")

C35 (25?), D50, W50 / shared toilet & shower

　

Lesotho Workcamp Association (S29-19'01.4" E027-29'48.3") along the dirt alley behind the cathedral.

D25 / shared toilet & bucket shower (duty)

reception is No.13 room. You may feel a worry with the security. I don't recommend to stay here.

　

Phomolong Youth Hostel

It seemed to go under.

　

in Semonkong

Semonkong Lodge (S29-52'35.2" E028-03'00.8")

C40, D80, R? / shared toilet & shower, kitchen (refrigerator, stove), restaurant, TV, books, fishing

The water at the kitchen is from the river. After rain it becomes muddy. You'd better prepare for water in advance. The camp site is beside the river, so you can enjoy trout fishing.

VISA card acceptable.

beer; 12.5

　

in Roma

The Trading Post Guest House and Adventures

C? D? / grass camp site, information

Excuse me, I lost the data. But it was not so expensive. It appears on 'Coast to Coast' (RSA backpackers book)

　

in Aliwal North (or north of near this town, 'Zastron' direction)

(parking area for truck)

There was a parking area for truck along the street. You may pitch a tent there free.

　

note;

When you pitch a tent in a village, you should ask the chief using the following sentence..

'Chief, can I pitch a tent (here)?' (show the following sentence...)

Morena Ke Kopa Ho Hloma Tente

　

town **********************************************

in Maseru (capital)

This is the biggest town in LESOTHO. You'd better prepare money and so on here before leaving for other domestic town.

　

ATM and net-cafe are only here in this country.

　

information (S29-18'47.1" E027-28'40.8")

It is a big thatched roof house. If you come from Maseru bridge, you'll see it at the beginning of the town. You can get good information about accommodation, road map and so on. Weekend is closing.

　

net-cafe;

999 internet cafe (S29-18'50.1" E027-28'54.5") the opposite side of GPO

15/h, Japanese readable. The manager is a Chinese?

　

motorcycle shop;

Cycle Center (S29-18'13.1" E027-27'58.3") along the main road. If you come from Maseru bridge, you can find it before the town.

　

fresh juice (1L); 5.99,

'City' (super market) sells fresh juice. I recommend it. They also sell Chinese cabbage.

　

in Semonkong

Maletsunyane Falls is the only? sight spot. And you can enjoy fishing, pony trekking, off road driving and so on. If you are enough only to see the fall, you can visit there by day trip from Maseru by vehicle.

There's a petrol station, bottle store and small supermarket. No ATM.

　

Maletsunyane Falls (S29-52'35.2" E028-03'00.8")

There is a sign near the bridge which spans Maletsunyane river. That's 2.7 km before the town (If you come from Maseru).

fork of the road (S29-52'42.5" E028-02'54.6")(8.2 km after the above sign）

take the left fork of the wheel track, though there's no sign. 300 m to the fall.

　

beer; (bottle)10.5(deposit 2. substance 8.5), (can)8

　

in Roma

32 km from Maseru. The Trading Post Guest House and Adventures includes Tourist Information.

　

dinosaur foot prints (S29-27'08.2" E027-42'07.6")

The top of the hill which you can watch from 'The Trading Post Guest House and Adventures.' You can go there by walk or dirt bike. There's no sign and the kids around there show you the point of the prints. Be careful, there's a fake foot print!

　

border **********************************************

Mseru bridge (entry from RSA, leaving for RSA);

toll of the bridge; (motorcycle)R5 (only for entry. leaving is free.) Carnet is unnecessary.

Even in other borders, they probably take a toll of bridge, if there is a bridge.

　

road **********************************************

55 km is paved from Maseru to Semonkong direction. Other sections are almost earth road with rocks. Side roads become worse. The maximum altitude becomes 2,700 m, so your engine power will go down. You'd better check the road condition by the road map which you can get at the Information. (refer to 'Maseru (town)').