Maseru
Lesotho's capital stands at 1,600 metres on the Caledon River, right on the South African border, with the flat-topped mountain of Thaba Bosiu a short drive east.
- Arrival
- Moshoeshoe I International · MSU
- To the city
- About 18 km from the centre
- Private jets
- Customs at MSU; no fuel listed
- Best time
- April to May · August to October
The city
Red sandstone on the border river.
The name means "red sandstones" in Sesotho. The British set up a police camp here in 1869, at the end of the wars between the Free State and the Basotho, and the town grew on the bank of the Caledon, which the Basotho call the Mohokare. Maseru Bridge crosses to South Africa; Ladybrand is the first town on the other side. The Royal Palace, the Parliament and Our Lady of Victories Cathedral are all in the city.
Altitude shapes the weather. Summer afternoons reach 26 to 28 °C and bring the storms with them: from November to March each month has close to 90 mm of rain or more. In midwinter the highs drop to 15 or 16 °C and the rain all but stops.
- Thaba Bosiu The plateau 24 km east where Moshoeshoe I settled his people in July 1824; he lies buried on top, and so, since 1996, does Moshoeshoe II.
- The cultural village Rondavels and a conference centre at the foot of Thaba Bosiu, below the historic site on the plateau.
- Our Lady of Victories Cathedral A colonial-era cathedral in the centre of Maseru.
Arriving
A long runway in Mazenod.
Moshoeshoe I International lies in Mazenod, about 18 km south-east of the city, at 1,630 metres. It has a main runway of 3,200 metres and a short second strip.
- Johannesburg 50 min
- Cape Town 1 h 40
- Seychelles 5 h 30
- Milan 11 h 20 long-range jet
- Singapore 11 h 35 long-range jet
When to go
April to May, and August to October.
Summer brings the rain, with 111 mm in January, and winter is cold and dry. April and May, then August to October, sit between the two: highs from 18 to 24 °C and much less rain.
- 28° J 111
- 26° F 100
- 24° M 92
- 21° A 70
- 18° M 29
- 15° J 17
- 16° J 12
- 18° A 19
- 23° S 27
- 24° O 61
- 26° N 87
- 27° D 88
Where to stay
On the hill above the city.
Shown for information. We have no arrangement with any of these hotels.
Where to dine
Where to book in town.
No MICHELIN Guide covers Lesotho. This is the restaurant Lonely Planet names a top choice in Lesotho.
- Sky Restaurant Lonely Planet top choice Basotho, contemporary Mpilo Boutique Hotel, Maseru
Flying to Maseru?
Choose how you arrive.
A Business or First Class seat on a scheduled airline, or an aircraft of your own. Tell us the date and how many are travelling, and we reply with one final price, our margin included.