Lesotho Driving Advice and Car Hire Info
Driving In Lesotho
Lesotho drives on the left, with right-hand drive vehicles. Although the number of paved roads is gradually increasing, the majority of Lesotho’s 5,000 miles of roads are unpaved. A few main rural highways are in decent condition but few are up to European/US Standard. Lesotho’s mountainous terrain makes driving on secondary roads hazardous. Unpaved roads in the interior, often narrow, twisty and steep, are poorly maintained. For travel in the interior, especially in wet or snowy weather, a high clearance or 4X4 vehicle is recommended. Driving standards are poor and aggressive and undisciplined driving habits result in frequent collisions. Driving abroad here after dark is dangerous due to the absence of street lighting, livestock on the roads, and the prevalence of crime, including incidents of carjacking. When driving in urban centres, especially Maseru, keep doors locked, windows shut and valuables out of sight.
Driving into Lesotho from South Africa via the Sani Pass is one of the worlds great drives (4×4 recommended) . I haven’t done this myself yet (planned for late 2013) but there are some excellent, details accounts of the drive on Trip Advisor-
http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/ShowUserReviews-g681289-r122402440-Sani_Pass_Mokhotlong_District.html
Lesotho Car Rental –
Europcar, Alamo , National, Avis, Budget, have outlets here. Also usually features on Car rental broker sites such as Argus Car Rental
This is a local broker website-
http://www.drivesouthernafrica.com/car-rental-lesotho.php
This company can arrange self drive safaris throughout Southern African countries including South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Swaziland & Lesotho
http://www.selfdrivesa.com/
Lesotho Self Drive Rules
Most companies will allow the car to be driven to South Africa and Botswana but you should check this when you make your reservation . You will have more difficulty taking vehicles into angola, or Malawi but this may be possible depending on the company.