Lesotho
Lesotho is a small landlocked country in Southern Africa which is surrounded by South Africa.
Keep up to-date with travel advice with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) before travelling.
Travel Vaccinations
Lesotho is a small landlocked country in Southern Africa which is surrounded by South Africa.
Recommended Vaccinations for Lesotho at a Glance
All Travellers: Routine Vaccinations: MMR, DTaP
Most Travellers: Typhoid, Hepatitis A
Some Travellers: Hepatitis B and Rabies
There is no risk of Malaria in Lesotho
Travellers arriving from countries with a risk of Yellow Fever may need an International Certificate of Vaccination (ICVP).
Keep up to-date with travel advice with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) before travelling.
The table below provides a general guide as to the Travel Vaccinations that may be advised to you for travel to Lesotho.
The Vaccinations and Medications that are needed for travel vary from person-to-person. Everyone should have a personal risk assessment with a travel health professional to take into account a range of factors such as itinerary, medical condition, occupational and lifestyle risk factors and previous vaccination history.
Vaccination | All Travellers | Most Travellers | Some Travellers | Major Risk Factors | Course | Price Per Dose |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
MMR | Yes | Person-to-Person | MMR, Course of Two | £60 | ||
DTaP | Yes | Person-to-Person | Revaxis, Single Dose | £50 | ||
Typhoid | Yes | Contaminated Food and Water | Typhim Vi, Single Dose | £50 | ||
Hepatitis A | Yes | Contaminated Food and Water | Avaxim/havrix, Single Dose | £86 | ||
Hepatitis B | Yes | Body Fluids, Medical Intervention | EnergixB, Course of Three | £65 | ||
Rabies | Yes | Infected Animals | Course of Three | £66 | ||
Rabies | Yes | Infected Animals | Rabipur, Course of Three, ID, in rabies clinincs | £45 |
All Travellers should ensure that they are up-to-date with Routine Vaccinations including Diphtheria, Tetanus and Polio and Measles, Mumps and Rubella.
Most travellers will also need to consider a course or booster of Hepatitis A and Typhoid as there is a risk of these diseases across most parts of the world.
Some Travellers may also be advised additional vaccinations such as Rabies, Japanese Encephalitis and Hepatitis B based on their individual risk assessment.
Lesotho
The wonderful warm country of Lesotho lies nestled in Southern Africa. In fact it is entirely surrounded by South Africa. It is a country filled with a beautiful landscape, has some serious altitude and a place for adventure seekers and tranquil walkers alike. It is also known affectionately as the Kingdom in the sky.
When visiting Lesotho be sure to take in the sights of Semonkong falls or why not take the opportunity o see some dinosaur footprints. All this and more waits for you in Lesotho – just don’t forget to get your shots before going.
Schistosomiasis
Schistosomiasis is a flatworm infection that is acquired through contact with affected fresh water streams, rivers or lakes. If you have been swimming or wading n such an environment and you think you may have been exposed, or have contacted schistosomiasis, seek professional medical help. Schistosomiasis is present in Lesotho so please take precautions
Altitude sickness
Lesotho is not called the Kingdom in the Sky for nothing. There are many parts of the country that are high in altitude. As such, altitude sickness may present a problem. You can obtain altitude sickness medication and practice appropriate acclimatisation and gradual ascents to counter altitude sickness. Don’t forget, it’s not just your climbing altitude but your sleeping altitude as well that must be considered. Our travel nurse will be able to discuss these with you.
Heat and Humidity
Lesotho is warm for most of the year – although in the winter the nights can be very cold indeed. There are occasional thunderstorms and sometimes snow on the mountains. Please check the weather for the time and areas you are travelling to so that you can adequately prepare,
Water Safe
Stick to the bottled stuff in Lesotho as tap water is not safe. Bottled water is readily available but be careful of vendors selling drinks in pre-used bottles as they are not always cleaned to the best standard.
Food and Drink
There is plenty of western food in Lesotho so finding something familiar to eat should not be a problem. Why not try the local beer (Maluti) at the world’s highest pub while you’re here.
Animals and Insects
Lots of different infections can be spread through animal and insect bites, including Rabies. Please make sure you have had your shots before travelling.
Health Insurance
Make sure you have health insurance in place that will cover the full range of activities you plan to undertake while in Lesotho, especially if trying adventure sports.
Personal Safety
Lesotho has an exceptionally high rate of HIV so please take precautions. The hospitals are not always the cleanest so if you are accident prone, you might want to consider taking a sterile needle and dressing kit with you as part of your first aid package. Like most places in the world, crime does happen here so please exercise some common sense when travelling. Don’t walk alone, especially in places you don’t know and when driving, be aware as car-jacking’s do happen here.