Travel Vaccines and Advice for Lesotho
Water and diamonds are Lesotho’s largest natural resources. Dams provide water throughout the region and diamonds mines dot the landscape. Due to its mountainous terrain, Lesotho is a sought after location for serious hikers.
Sesotho is the official language of Lesotho and is spoken by the largest ethnic group in Lesotho: the Basotho. 90% of the population practises Christianity.
When travelling to Lesotho, remember to always respond when spoken to and never get angry. Both are seen as highly disrespectful.
Do I Need Vaccines for Lesotho?
Yes, some vaccines are recommended or required for Lesotho. The PHAC and WHO recommend the following vaccinations for Lesotho: hepatitis A, hepatitis B, typhoid, cholera, yellow fever, rabies, meningitis, polio, measles, mumps and rubella (MMR), Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis), chickenpox, shingles, pneumonia and influenza.
See the bullets below to learn more about some of these key immunizations:
- Hepatitis A –
Food & Water –
Recommended for most travellers - Hepatitis B –
Blood & Body Fluids –
Accelerated schedule available - Typhoid –
Food & Water –
Shot lasts 2 years. Oral vaccine lasts 5 years, must be able to swallow pills. Oral doses must be kept in refrigerator. - Cholera –
Food & Water –
Recommended for travel to most regions. - Yellow Fever –
Mosquito –
Required if travelling from a country with risk of yellow fever transmission. - Rabies –
Saliva of Infected Animals –
High risk country. Vaccine recommended for long-term travellers and those who may come in contact with animals. - Measles Mumps Rubella (MMR) –
Various Vectors –
Given to anyone unvaccinated and/or born after 1957. One time adult booster recommended. - TDAP (Tetanus, Diphtheria & Pertussis) –
Wounds & Airborne –
Only one adult booster of pertussis required. - Chickenpox –
Direct Contact & Airborne –
Given to those unvaccinated that did not have chickenpox. - Shingles –
Direct Contact –
Vaccine can still be given if you have had shingles. - Pneumonia –
Airborne –
Two vaccines given seperately. All 65+ or immunocompromised should receive both. - Influenza –
Airborne –
Vaccine components change annually. - Meningitis –
Airborne & Direct Contact –
Given to anyone unvaccinated or at an increased risk, especially students. - Polio –
Food & Water –
Considered a routine vaccination for most travel itineraries. Single adult booster recommended.
See the tables below for more information:
Recommended Travel Vaccinations for Lesotho |
||
| VACCINE | HOW DISEASE SPREADS | DETAILS |
|---|---|---|
| Hepatitis A | Food & Water | Recommended for most travellers |
| Hepatitis B | Blood & Body Fluids | Accelerated schedule available |
| Typhoid | Food & Water | Shot lasts 2 years. Oral vaccine lasts 5 years, must be able to swallow pills. Oral doses must be kept in refrigerator. |
| Cholera | Food & Water | Recommended for travel to most regions. |
| Yellow Fever | Mosquito | Required if travelling from a country with risk of yellow fever transmission. |
| Rabies | Saliva of Infected Animals | High risk country. Vaccine recommended for long-term travellers and those who may come in contact with animals. |
Routine Vaccinations for Lesotho |
||
| VACCINE | HOW DISEASE SPREADS | DETAILS |
|---|---|---|
| Measles Mumps Rubella (MMR) | Various Vectors | Given to anyone unvaccinated and/or born after 1957. One time adult booster recommended. |
| TDAP (Tetanus, Diphtheria & Pertussis) | Wounds & Airborne | Only one adult booster of pertussis required. |
| Chickenpox | Direct Contact & Airborne | Given to those unvaccinated that did not have chickenpox. |
| Shingles | Direct Contact | Vaccine can still be given if you have had shingles. |
| Pneumonia | Airborne | Two vaccines given seperately. All 65+ or immunocompromised should receive both. |
| Influenza | Airborne | Vaccine components change annually. |
| Meningitis | Airborne & Direct Contact | Given to anyone unvaccinated or at an increased risk, especially students. |
| Polio | Food & Water | Considered a routine vaccination for most travel itineraries. Single adult booster recommended. |
Medical facilities are scarce in Lesotho and there are no ambulance services. Depending on the treatment needed, you may be sent to South Africa. Good facilities are located in Blomfontein.
Medicare does not cover procedures done in Lesotho. It is recommended to get comprehensive travel medical insurance.
Visit our vaccinations page to learn more. Travel safely with Passport Health and schedule your appointment today by calling or book online now.
Customer Reviews
Passport Health – Travel Vaccines for Lesotho
“The nurse was very helpful. She was very knowledgeable and informative. Next time I need immunizations and medications for Lesotho I will definitely go to her again.”
“Our nurse is very accommodating, friendly, knowledgeable and everything about travelling vaccinations were explained well including what we’d need for Lesotho. Quick with administering the vaccine and my daughter did not cry after it. Will recommend this travel clinic with my family, friends and colleagues. And will definitely go back for their amazing service.”
Do I Need a Visa or Passport for Lesotho?
Canadian travellers must have a passport for travel to Lesotho. The country does not require a visa for stays under 180 days within a 12-month period.
Lesotho Entry Requirements |
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| Do I Need A… | For My Trip to Lesotho? | |
|---|---|---|
| Passport |  |
|
| Tourist Visa | |
|
| Business Visa | |
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| Vaccinations | |
|
Sources: Embassy of Lesotho and Canadian Travel and Tourism
Proof of yellow fever vaccination is not required if travelling from Canada. But, it may be necessary if coming to Lesotho from another African country.
Visit the Canadian Travel and Tourism website for more information on entry and exit requirements.
What is the Climate Like in Lesotho?
Due to its high-altitude, Lesotho’s climate is cooler than regions of the same latitude. Lesotho has a continental climate with cold winters and warm summers.
Low-lands can reach 30 degrees in the summer and -7 in the winter.
85% of precipitation falls between October and April. Drought often occurs in the dry months between May and September.
How Safe is Lesotho?
Although there is no evidence to support that Canadians are targeted, tourists are at a high-risk of being victims of robbery and even killings.
Be cautious when walking around Maseru and other urban areas during the day and night. Crimes are most common at tourists destinations, popular restaurants and among poorly-lit roads.
If you are travelling through the O.R. Tambo International Airport (Johannesburg), secure your luggage as theft from baggage is common.
Hiking in Lesotho
Due to its mountainous geography, Lesotho is considered a paradise to many hikers. Although there are not a lot of official hiking trails, there are many walking trails which allow hikers to more freedom to explore.
Hikes in Lesotho include rivers, gorges, caves and a variety of rock formations.
Some of the best hiking (and lodging) can be found in Lesotho’s National Parks such as Sehlabathebe National Park, Ts’ehlanyane National Park and the Bokong Nature Reserve.
If you plan on hiking in Lesotho, have map reading skills due to the number of unmarked trails.
What Should I Take To Lesotho?
Here are some essential items to consider for your trip to Lesotho:
- Get Loti (official currency) before coming to Lesotho. Cashing travellers cheques can be a lengthy process and there are a limited amount of ATMs. Once out of big cities, most establishments won’t accept credit cards.
- Hand sanitizer
- Scarves. To protect from the elements and for rural areas where women must wear scarves to cover their heads.
- Prescription and emergency medications as pharmacies are hard to come by.
- If you go during the rainy season (May-September), bring rain gear.
Canadian Embassy in Lesotho
There is no standing Canadian Consulate office in Lesotho. Consular services would need to be conducted at one of the other surrounding countries with consular facilities. According to the Canadian Government’s website, there is no centralized number to reach emergency services. Research and carry contact information for local police and medical facilities. There are four consulate offices in the following cities of South Africa: Pretoria, Cape Town, Durban, and Johannesburg.
High Commission of Canada in South Africa
1103 Arcadia Street
(Corner Arcadia and Hilda Streets)
Hatfield, Pretoria, South Africa
Telephone: +27-12 422 3000
If you have any questions about travelling to Lesotho or are wondering what shots you may need for your trip, schedule an appointment with your local Passport Health travel medicine clinic. Call us at or book online now and protect yourself today.
On This Page:
Do I Need Vaccines for Lesotho?
Do I Need a Visa or Passport for Lesotho?
What is the Climate Like in Lesotho?
How Safe is Lesotho?
Hiking in Lesotho
What Should I Take To Lesotho?
Canadian Embassy in Lesotho
