Maseru

Maseru is the capital of and largest city in Lesotho and is very close to the north western border with South Africa. Although there isn't a huge deal to see in Maseru, it is well worth stopping here upon entry into Lesotho to stock up before venturing further in (where there are very, very few Western-style shops).

By car
You can get into Maseru by car through the entry point from South Africa.

By bus
Maseru Bridge Border Post is a drop off point for most South African national coach services, from where you can catch a taxi into Maseru.



By taxi
Being the transport hub of Lesotho, anywhere in Lesotho that's connected by road to here will have a Minibus taxi service to Maseru. For more information on taxis, see here.

By plane
Moshoeshoe Airport is located 18 km from Maseru. South African Airways operates a couple of daily flights from Maseru to Johannesburg, which typically cost around M 2,200. Luggage is lost very regularly and there is no lost luggage reporting system. You should arrange taxi pick-up in advance as there are no taxis at the airport. Taxis charge around ML100.

Mission Aviation flies from the smaller Moeshoeshoe I airport just off Airport Road, 2 km from central Maseru. They offer charter flights to amongst other places, Mokhotlong, Thaba-Tseka and Katse, and are contactable on +266 2232 5699. Flights are fairly expensive, their little planes can be cramped, but they fly to most airstrips in Lesotho.

Get around
Google Maps now have very detailed maps of Maseru and Lesotho.

By taxi
The bus stop on Moeshoeshoe Rd is the main taxi station, but private cabs are available from the price of M50.

Public cabs travelling around the city cost M6.50 and they are available in stations around town.

For information on catching taxis in Lesotho and Maseru, call Comfort Taxis and speak to Khosana on +266 6274 5199.

For information on catching taxis in Lesotho, Moonlight taxis are on +266 22312695.

See
There is not a huge deal to see in Maseru, as the city is essentially a base for expeditions and travels deeper into Lesotho.


 * The Mokorotlo. One of the country's most monumental buildings, the Mokorotlo is the traditional hut built in a modern sophisticated style, it is a virtual museum where you can learn more about the cultures and tradition of the friendly Basotho nation.
 * Thetsane is worth having a wander around on a weekday - two kilometres south of Maseru on Pioneer Road (past the Pope's Podium) are a cluster of factories that churn out t-shirts and jeans for numerous US chain stores, including Children's Place and Gap (if you've ever bought an Old Navy top chances are it was stitched together here). The chaotic hustle and bustle of Thetsane contrasts sharply with the slow pace of life elsewhere in Lesotho, and it's a fascinating place to see what African industrialisation looks like.
 * Lesotho National Museum. A museum that holds traditional sculptures and a wide range of traditional art and historical artifacts devoted to Lesotho's history.

Do

 * The Lehakoe Club and Gym, Moshoeshoe Road (next to the Central Bank, near the Houses of Parliament) Excellent gym by any standards, with 2 swimming pools, tennis & squash courts, steam rooms and sauna. M400 per month membership, also daily and weekly membership available.
 * Lesotho National Tennis Courts Kingsway bypass, functional and cheap tennis courts, tuition available.
 * Maseru Golf Course, play a round with some alcoholic expats.
 * Moeshoeshoe Day is celebrated in Maseru in early March with colourful processions through the city centre.
 * Hike up the Hill behind the casino. Behind the hotel is a rocky hill (where Chinese built the parliament building - Lesotho supports the One China policy). Should take about 30 minutes to climb but is well worth the effort - go before sunset and take your camera!
 * Hike up the Hill behind the casino. Behind the hotel is a rocky hill (where Chinese built the parliament building - Lesotho supports the One China policy). Should take about 30 minutes to climb but is well worth the effort - go before sunset and take your camera!
 * Hike up the Hill behind the casino. Behind the hotel is a rocky hill (where Chinese built the parliament building - Lesotho supports the One China policy). Should take about 30 minutes to climb but is well worth the effort - go before sunset and take your camera!

Supermarkets and food

 * Pick n Pay, Pioneer Shopping Centre, Pioneer Road - Well-stocked South African supermarket and liquor store.
 * OK Shoprite, Kingsway (LNDC Centre, behind the Vodacom shop) - Good stocking up place before you head to the mountains
 * OK Shoprite, Moeshoeshoe Rd - again a good stock up place.

Crafts

 * Basotho Hat, Kingsway - a government run craft store which stocks locally made crafts. Large variety of beautiful hand-made jewelry of copper and ceramics, dresses, wire push toys. Worth poking your head in just to enjoy the unusual architecture.

Budget

 * White Box Food, not a restaurant, but a good budget eating option - on Kingsway at lunchtime lots of food vendors are cooking up chicken, pork, rice and papa and serving it to the office workers in town for around M12-15 a box - very tasty and very filling.
 * Peace Restaurant, Moeshoeshoe Rd (just down from Nando's) - at the back of a Chinese grocery shop the Peace Restaurant offers an authentic Chinese eating experience - good food, plastic chairs, Chinese karaoke on Friday and Saturday nights! You can almost believe you are in Chin.a
 * Good Times Cafe, LNDC Centre, Kingsway (above the Vodacom shop) - the only nightspot in Maseru also serves up adequate South African fare - OK for lunch if you have 1.5 hours or more. Tends to be empty in the evenings except for a few expats. Big screen for live football.

Mid-range

 * Lancer's Inn, Kingsway - good food but slow service.
 * Mohokare Restaurant, at Avani Maseru Hotel, has regional fare and is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Drink

 * Good Times Cafe LNDC Centre, Kingsway (above the Vodacom shop) - the only non-hotel bar in Maseru likely to appeal to the tourist - can be very lively at weekends especially after pay-day (at end of the month) with live music and many of Lesotho's young and rich in attendance - but can be quiet on week nights.
 * Lesotho Sun - Pool bar - Great for sundowners. Buy-1-get-1-free on Fridays 5PM-7PM (very popular)
 * UN Club - the opening times are a little unpredictable, but worth a try for the more adventurous - it's next to the Sparrows bar and gas station behind Lancers Inn (GPS / Google Earth coordinates 29°18'57.63"S 27°28'48.57"E)
 * Local bar in the suburbs - want to get off the tourist trail and see some suburban Maseru life? Try this bar - safe and friendly (and cheap), with a pleasant beer garden out back used for hosting the occasional wedding reception.  About 2 km southeast of the cathedral traffic circle, just off main south (GPS / Google Earth coordinates 29°19'40.17"S  27°30'24.83"E)

Budget
Many backpacker types pass through Maseru en route to Semonkong Lodge or Malealea in the mountains, or head to Ladybrand in South Africa. However do not discount Maseru as a budget overnight destination - there are affordable accommodation options, the best of which is probably the Lesotho-Durham link.



The following budget accommodations were built as training centres although they do cater for travellers if you ask in advance!



Internet access
In Maseru, there are several internet cafes, although fairly cheap (usually LSL0.20-0.50 per min) they are pretty slow at best. The main internet cafés are:
 * 999 Internet, Kingsway (opposite the Post Office). The best value in Maseru
 * Leo Internet, (near the Basotho Hat)
 * The Lesotho Sun, very expensive.

Mobile phones
Cellphones are available for hire from various shops in Maseru. If visiting Lesotho (or anywhere in Southern Africa) then bring an unlocked cellphone with you and buy pay-as-you-go SIM cards in each country you stay - a good way of staying connected. Most towns in Lesotho have cellphone coverage.

Parking
A guarded parking can be found at the corner of Pioneer Rd and Kingsway (enter from Pioneer Rd). Hourly rates.

Post
There is a large Post Office on Kingsway. Post is unreliable and can take up to a month to reach its destination, but usually more likely to take a fortnight. Sending a letter by airmail will cost you approx M2.40.

Embassies and consulates

 * 🇨🇦 Canada
 * 🇺🇸 United States

Go next
In Lesotho:
 * Leribe - town in the north of the country
 * Semonkong - pony trekking in the Highlands and to the impressive falls
 * Malealea - pony trekking in the Highlands from the large lodge
 * Thaba Bosiu - historic mountain fortress of the Masotho

In South Africa:
 * Ladybrand - the closest town across the border. A nice place to escape to if you are living in Lesotho and are craving Western-ness!
 * Bloemfontein - the nearest cinema (again, will only be useful to know this if you are living in Lesotho!)