Landlocked in South Africa, Lesotho has three distinct geographical regions making it a year-round tourist destination. It's no wonder travelers book flights to Lesotho for a tour of this small country dubbed, “The Kingdom in the Sky.”
Lesotho is a country of ascending altitude and mass highland. The Maluti Mountains form a high plateau almost 10,000 feet tall and the highest point is Thabana Ntlenyana, which stands at approximately 11,425 feet. The flight to Lesotho might be the last piece of civilized travel during your Lesotho trip. The best way to see the country is on foot, and many tourists also prefer donkey treks throughout villages. Book flights to Lesotho to see the central highlands area which leads to the Maletsunyane Falls, the highest waterfall in southern Africa. Travelers booking flights to Lesotho can find a bit of civilization in Maseru, the capital of Lesotho. Here the country combines its up-to-date progression with its ancient culture providing tourists to Lesotho the best of both worlds.
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Temperatures in Lesotho can vary greatly depending on where and when you arrive. Summer lasts from October to April and is hot and rainy. January and February are the hottest months. Downpours are frequent from March to May, with sunny days sneaking in every once in a while. The lowlands stay warm at 86 F while it’s much cooler in the higher altitudes. Snow falls year round in the mountains and from May to September everywhere else. It can get very cold in the winter, especially in the highlands.
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Weather in this little South African hot spot changes rapidly, so any time of the year is a great time to book flights to Lesotho.
Peak Season: With more than 300 days of sunshine a year, most travelers book flights to Lesotho in search of bright, warm days. Especially in the summer months between November and January, you’ll be able to enjoy the outdoors by hiking, camping, and trekking without worrying about rain or other inclement weather. Moshoeshoe Day is March 14th, when tourists book Lesotho flights to see the country in national dress, and watch parades move happily from the Palace to the Sotho Stadium.
Off-peak Season: While the winter months from May to July are incredibly cold in the Maluti Mountains, you’ll be able to find great deals on accommodations and cheap flights to Lesotho during this off-peak period.
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If you’re thinking about booking domestic Lesotho flights to get in and around South Africa, then you’ll most likely use South African Airways to get in and out of Moshoeshoe International Airport.
If you’re looking for a little more local Lesotho travel, then car rental companies provide easy options to get you around Maseru, the capital. Most companies are branches of other South African ones, so their expertise is wide-range, and they’ll be able to help you get beyond the borders. Driving from Maseru to a few local places doesn’t take very long: To Mokhotlong, it takes 7 hours; to Qachas Nek, it takes 8 hours; to Mohales Hoek, it takes an hour and a half; and to Mafeteng, it takes only an hour.
Other options like, minibuses, taxi service, and charter air services are accessible as well, but there is unfortunately no train service available.
The following chart gives approximate journey times from
Maseru(in hours and minutes) to other major cities and towns in Lesotho.
| | Road |
|---|
| Teyateyaneng | - |
|---|
| Mokhotlong | 7.00 |
|---|
| Qachas Nek | 8.00 |
|---|
| Mohales Hoek | 1.30 |
|---|
| Mafeteng | 1.00 |
|---|
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- Book flights to Lesotho to see the single highest dropping waterfall in all of Southern Africa. Cascading into the Maletsunyane River, its steep fall creates a beautiful, lush landing point creating rushing water sounds and a pretty mist. For a tough challenge with big scenic rewards, try climbing down the gorge.
- If you’re looking for a place a party, book flights to Lesotho during one of its many festivals. October 4th is the country’s Independence Day, when natives celebrate its freedom from British. If you’re traveling later in the season, you might hit Moshoeshoe Day on March 14th, a day in honor of the city’s founding father. A procession in Maseru from the Palace to the Sotho Stadium showcases native dresses made of sticks, blankets, and straw hats. Police and military officials (as well as cattle, horses, and donkeys) join in the fun, too.
- Book flights to Lesotho to witness all 500 feet of the Katse Dam. Providing water to the Gauteng Province in South Africa, the special dam meets the surrounding areas’ requirement for electricity. Water is stored in the human-made reservoir, and gravity helps feed the water into the Gauteng and to the rest of the rural countryside. The award-winning structure that affects thousands of natives also happens to be a sight for sore eyes, nestled peacefully in between mountain ranges, and creating the perfect panoramic memories.
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Your cheap flight to Lesotho arrives at Maseru (MSU) Moshoeshoe International, which is 22 miles south of Maseru.
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Visitors need a valid passport to enter the country. No visas are required if the stay is 180 days or less.
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US citizens need a valid passport to enter the country. No visas are required if the stay is 180 days or less.
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A New England native but explorer at heart, Melisse has lived in four U.S. cities, spent a summer in Hawaii, made her way through wine-producing regions in Australia and New Zealand, and traveled around Europe while studying abroad in London. She is the Content Manager for the U.S. and Canada at Cheapflights.