Maseru

Introduction

Maseru is the capital and largest city in Lesotho. It has approximately 250,000 inhabitants and is located in the northwest of the country on the Mohokare River, bordering South Africa, at an altitude of around 1,600 metres above sea level. The place has been the capital since Lesotho became independent in 1966 and the name of the city actually means 'place of the red sandstone'. Nowadays, it is the administrative centre of the country and has good facilities for travellers. It also functions as a transportation hub to and from South Africa and the rest of the country, although roads outside Maseru deteriorate the further you go inland.

Sights and Activities

• Roman Catholic Cathedral of Our Lady of Victories
• Anglican St. John's Church
• Royal Palace
• Parliament building
• State House

Weather

Climate in Maseru is rather harsh and mainly because of its elevation quite different from many other surrounding countries. In summer it is mostly warm to hot with occasional showers. Temperatures are between 30 °C and 35 °C during summer days and around 15 °C at night. Winters are relatively dry with temperatures around 10 °C to 15 °C during the day and below 0 °C at night from June to August. Sometimes, some snow is possible but not often.

Getting There

By Plane

Moshoeshoe I International Airport (MSU) near Maseru receives a few international flights. Sout African Airlink flies there to and from Johannesburg.

By Car

Being the transport hub of Lesotho, anywhere in Lesotho that's connected by road to here will have a Minibus taxi service to Maseru.

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.

• Vaal-Maseru Bus Services - ☎ +27 18 462-1000. sometimes runs a Johannesburg to Maseru service. It's best to call them for up-to-date information.
• Local bus from Bloemfontein - At 06:00 daily a coach leaves from Bloemfontein's main bus station direct to the Maseru Bridge border in about 2 hours. If you miss this then numerous Toyota Hiaces will drop you half way, where you can pick up a second Hiace to Maseru - this option takes from 3 to 5 hours depending on how long it takes for the Hiace to fill.
• Intercape - Drop off at Ladybrand, from where it's a 20-minute minibus journey to Maseru

Getting Around

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

Sleep

Upscale

Keep Connected

Internet

In Maseru, there are several internet cafes, although fairly cheap (usually LSL0.20-0.50 per min) they are pretty slow at best.

Phone

See also International Telephone Calls

Lesotho's international telephone code is 266.

The cellphone network is OK in the towns, but pretty poor out in the countryside. There are two mobile operators in Lesotho, Vodacom and Econet Ezicel. Vodacom has the widest coverage outside the towns. You can buy a Vodacom or Ezicel Buddie pay as you go sim card for under LSL50 in Maseru - worthwhile if you are staying for a while. Cellphones are available for hire in Maseru. Lesotho uses GSM900.

If you have a South African Vodacom Sim Card, you can use it in Lesotho only on the Vodacom network. Be sure to enable roaming.

External Links