Lesotho

Is Lesotho safe to visit?

For most visitors, yes, with care. Lesotho is at peace, has no malaria and does not see terrorism, and the UK advises against travel to no part of it. But it has one of the highest murder rates in the world, the US keeps it at Level 2 for crime and health, and good hospital care means a drive to South Africa. We score Lesotho 51, a little above South Africa (46), whose cities have more crime aimed at tourists, and well below Botswana (62).

Most people come for the mountains: pony trekking from Malealea or Semonkong, the Sani Pass, or skiing at Afriski in winter. Crime is concentrated in Maseru and the lowland towns, and the bigger risks in the highlands are the roads, the weather and the distance from help.

How high is Lesotho's murder rate?

Very high, though it has fallen. The latest national data published by UNODC, which come from the Lesotho police, count 519 homicide victims in 2024, or 22.2 per 100,000 people, after 582 (25.2) in 2023. That is still several times the global average, though below South Africa's latest rate of 36.6 (2025/26). It is also about half the rate of a few years ago: the police recorded 898 murders in 2020, which the Bureau of Statistics put at 44.7 per 100,000, and counts for May and June 2022 (144 murders, about 43 per 100,000 according to Afrobarometer) suggest the fall came after 2022. UNODC does not say whether the 2023 and 2024 counts were made the same way, so treat the size of the drop with some caution.

The 2026 Global Peace IndexGlobal Peace IndexAn annual ranking of 163 countries by how peaceful they are, based on conflict, crime, militarisation and political instability.More in the glossary says Lesotho's homicide rateHomicide rateThe number of people killed on purpose each year for every 100,000 residents. It is the most comparable crime figure between countries.More in the glossary is still among the highest in the world and that small arms are widespread, even though its violent crime indicator improved by 20% in the latest year. Part of the violence comes from famo gangs, which grew from rivalries between music groups into organised crime. The government used the Internal Security Act, banned 12 famo groups and deployed the army against them.

For a visitor, the key point is who the violence hits. The FCDOFCDO travel adviceThe UK government's travel advice for each country, which can advise against all travel or all but essential travel to specific areas.More in the glossary says much of it is gun crime between organised groups, and gender-based violence is very high but mostly between people who know each other. Foreigners mainly face opportunistic street crime and vehicle crime.

Carjacking and street crime

The FCDOFCDO travel adviceThe UK government's travel advice for each country, which can advise against all travel or all but essential travel to specific areas.More in the glossary warns that armed carjackers or robbers may try to stop your car or get into it while you are stationary, especially in towns. Its advice:

• Do not stop if people try to flag you down, and do not give lifts to strangers.
• Keep doors locked, windows shut and bags out of sight, including at junctions and near border posts.
• Be wary of road blocks that make you stop or slow down.
• If you are attacked, do not resist.

Muggers also target foreigners on foot. Do not walk alone in quiet areas or after dark, leave valuables in the hotel safe and keep a copy of your passport photo page and entry stamp separately; officials may ask to see them. Burglaries of lodges and villas tend to rise before Christmas and Easter.

Politics and protests

Lesotho has a long history of political instability, including violence in past decades, but the 2022 election went smoothly and the GPIGlobal Peace IndexAn annual ranking of 163 countries by how peaceful they are, based on conflict, crime, militarisation and political instability.More in the glossary moved Lesotho up 27 places to 86th of 163 in 2026, its biggest one-year rise. It credits constitutional reforms passed in early 2025 and a sharp fall in violent demonstrations. Protests still happen in Maseru, and the GPI notes that police were accused of whipping and arresting taxi operators at one of them. Move away from any gathering where security forces are present.

Mountain roads and minibuses

WHO estimatedWHO road-death estimateThe World Health Organization's estimate of road traffic deaths per 100,000 people in a country, adjusted for deaths that police statistics miss.More in the glossary 21.6 road deaths per 100,000 people in 2021, about nine times the UK rate, and its older model put the 2019 rate at 31.9. The FCDOFCDO travel adviceThe UK government's travel advice for each country, which can advise against all travel or all but essential travel to specific areas.More in the glossary calls driving standards and road conditions poor and warns of animals on the road, especially at night. Local minibus taxis, known as "4+1s", are often poorly maintained, uninsured and driven fast; the FCDO advises against using them and suggests transport arranged by your lodge or a tour operator.

In the highlands, passes are steep, many roads are gravel, and the weather turns quickly. Drive in daylight, fill up whenever you can and take a 4x4 for anything beyond the main tar roads.

Health care means South Africa

There is no malaria in Lesotho, which sits high on the plateau. The problem is care. The US says health facilities, hygiene and quality control fall short, pharmacies are poorly stocked and some local medicines may be unsafe. The FCDOFCDO travel adviceThe UK government's travel advice for each country, which can advise against all travel or all but essential travel to specific areas.More in the glossary says most foreign visitors use hospitals in Bloemfontein, South Africa, about 140 km and a 90-minute drive from Maseru. In Maseru the main hospitals are Queen Mamohato Memorial and Maseru Private.

Bring all the prescription medicine you need, and carry insurance that covers evacuation. CDC says rabid dogs are common, though vaccines are widely available, and the FCDO flags altitude sickness in parts of the country. The emergency number is 112.

How we scored it

Violent crime (33) is the weakest factor: even after falling to 22 per 100,000 in 2024, the murder rate is among the highest in the world. Road safety (38) is next. Conflict (75) and natural hazards (72) are the strongest. Confidence is low because the murder counts swing widely between years and sources, and the road rate is a WHO estimateWHO road-death estimateThe World Health Organization's estimate of road traffic deaths per 100,000 people in a country, adjusted for deaths that police statistics miss.More in the glossary.