Lesotho

Getting there & away

All Lesotho’s borders are with South Africa. Crossings are at Maseru Bridge and Ficksburg Bridge (both open 24 hours); Makhaleng Bridge (open 8am to 6pm weekdays, 8am to 4pm on weekends); and Sani Pass (open 8am to 4pm), but these often have long queues; Peka Bridge (8am to 4pm) and Van Rooyen’s Gate (8am to 10pm) are less crowded.

A daily minibus taxi travels between Mokhotlong (Lesotho) and Underberg (South Africa) via Sani Pass; and several taxis daily between Qacha’s Nek (Lesotho) and Matatiele (South Africa; about US$2, 45 minutes).

Big Sky Coaches (www.bigskycoaches.co.za) and Intercape (www.intercape.co.za) run daily in each direction between Bloemfontein and Maseru Bridge (US$4.70, three hours).

At least three buses run weekly between Jo’burg and Maseru (six to seven hours), and daily minibus taxis between both Jo’burg and Ladybrand (16km from the Maseru Bridge border crossing) and Maseru. Leaving Maseru, you’ll need to go to the South Africa side of Maseru Bridge.

Air

Lesotho’s Moshoeshoe International Airport is 21km from Maseru. South African Airways (SAA; 27 11 978 5313) flies daily between Maseru and Johannesburg for around US$140, one way.

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