Travel Report for Lesotho

Country Profile for
Lesotho

TRAVEL REPORTS:

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TRAVEL REPORT

Last Updated: December 1, 2006 16:24 EST
Still Valid: December 8, 2006 22:46 EST

Lesotho

1.	INTRODUCTION
2.	ATTENTION
3.	SAFETY AND SECURITY
4.	LOCAL TRAVEL
5.	NATURAL DISASTERS AND CLIMATE
6.	LOCAL LAWS AND CUSTOMS
7.	ASSISTANCE FOR CANADIANS ABROAD
8.	ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS
9.	MONEY

10.	GENERAL INFORMATION
11.	TRAVEL MEDICINE PROGRAM
12.	ADDITIONAL HEALTH INFORMATION
13.	RETURNING TO CANADA
14.	INTERNATIONAL ADOPTIONS
15.	TRAVEL TIPS
16.	HEALTH AND TRAVEL INSURANCE
17.	FOR MORE INFORMATION
18.	ANNEX

1. INTRODUCTION

Section 2 of this Travel Report has been updated.

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2. ATTENTION

Parliamentary elections are scheduled to take place before the end of February 2007. Canadians in Lesotho should monitor local news reports, avoid large gatherings and demonstrations, and follow the advice of local authorities.

OFFICIAL REGISTRATION RECOMMENDATION: Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada offers a registration service for Canadians travelling or residing abroad. Although Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada does not warn against travel to this country or region(s) of this country, Canadians are encouraged to register with the responsible Canadian government office due to the security situation and/or the absence of Canadian representation in this country. Registration can be done on-line or by calling the responsible Canadian government office abroad to request a registration form.

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3. SAFETY AND SECURITY

Petty theft, pickpocketing, armed robberies, and carjacking can occur, especially in Maseru. Do not resist assailants if attacked or robbed. There have been incidences of residential break-ins. Foreign diplomats, tourists and members of foreign aid missions may also be targeted. Remain vigilant at all times, ensure your personal belongings and travel documents are secure, avoid walking or driving after dark, and never pick up hitchhikers. Do not stop by the side of the road even at scenic points, especially on the northern access road to Katse Dam and in the Highlands area.

Canadians should remain informed of developments that could affect their safety, avoid large crowds and demonstrations, and carry identity documents.

For emergency assistance, call 588-81-010 for police, 588-41-111 for ambulance, or 223-26-350 for fire.

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4. LOCAL TRAVEL

Traffic drives on the left. Driving habits pose a risk in Maseru. Road conditions are generally poor. Ensure windows are closed and doors locked at all times. Roadside assistance is limited, but help is often offered in the event of an accident. You should park in well-lit areas. All South Africa/Lesotho border crossings and eight of

Lesotho

's ten district capitals are linked by good roads. Rural communities are linked by secondary gravel roads best suited to four-wheel-drive vehicles. Many rural areas, particularly in the mountainous two-thirds of the country, can be reached only by basic dirt roads or on horseback.

Car rentals are available in Maseru. Avoid using minibus taxis; they are poorly maintained and often involved in accidents. Passenger rail service is not available.

An International Driving Permit (IDP) is required.

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5. NATURAL DISASTERS AND CLIMATE

Weather conditions change rapidly in mountainous regions. Canadians should carry a blanket or warm clothes in case of snowfall or vehicle breakdown in mountain areas, where the weather can become cold quickly and unexpectedly, even in summer months. Violent storms occur in summer (November to February) and result in several deaths yearly. You should keep informed of regional weather forecasts and plan accordingly.

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6. LOCAL LAWS AND CUSTOMS

You are subject to local laws. A serious violation may lead to a jail or death sentence. The sentence will be served in local prisons.

Canadians arrested or detained have the right to contact the responsible Canadian government office (embassy, high commission, etc.) listed in Section 7 below. Arresting officials have a responsibility to assist you in doing so. Canadian consular officials can provide a list of local lawyers upon request.

The Department publishes A Guide for Canadians Imprisoned Abroad, specifically targeted at incarcerated Canadians. Its prime objective is to inform Canadian detainees, their families, and friends about available assistance and advice.

Persons convicted of possession, use, or trafficking in illegal drugs are subject to prison sentences and heavy fines.

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7. ASSISTANCE FOR CANADIANS ABROAD

There is no resident Canadian government office in

Lesotho

. The High Commission of Canada in Pretoria, South Africa, has consular responsibility for Lesotho. The address is as follows:

South Africa - PRETORIA, High Commission of Canada
Address: 1103 Arcadia Street, Hatfield, Pretoria 0083, South Africa
Postal Address: Pretoria 0028, South Africa
Tel.: 27 (12) 422-3000
Fax: 27 (12) 422-3052
E-mail: pret@international.gc.ca
Internet: http://www.international.gc.ca/southafrica/menu-en.asp

For emergency assistance after hours, call the High Commission of Canada in Pretoria, South Africa. Listen to the full recorded message and follow the instructions. You may also make a collect call to the Department in Ottawa at 613-996-8885.

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8. ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS

The following information on entry and exit requirements has been confirmed with the

Lesotho

authorities and, to the best of our knowledge, was valid on August 24, 2006. However, these requirements are subject to change.

It is the sole prerogative of each country to determine who is allowed to enter. All countries have special requirements for persons intending to reside for extended periods (usually more than 90 days) or who plan to work, study, or engage in non-tourist activities. To obtain information on specific entry requirements, contact the nearest diplomatic or consular office of the country or countries to be visited. Conditions are subject to change.

Foreign Affairs

Canada

’s Office of Protocol provides contact details for the High Commission for the Kingdom of Lesotho and its consulates, where you can obtain further information on entry and exit requirements.

A valid Canadian passport is required for Canadians intending to visit Lesotho. Canadians do not require a visa for stays up to 14 days. Canadians whose stay exceeds 14 days will have to apply for a temporary permit from Immigration and Passport Services at the airport or Linare Road, Maseru Central (323-771). Visitor visas can be extended for a further 30 days beyond the initial 14 days to make a maximum total of 44 days on a visitor's visa. Stays beyond 44 days require that the visitor apply for a temporary residence permit. Visitor visas are issued at borders (the airport and other border crossings); however, extension of visas and the issuance of residence permits is only done at the immigration office. The required fee for a temporary permit is reimbursed upon departure.

Visitor Visa: Not required (for stays up to 14 days)
Temporary Residence Permit: Required (for stays over 14 days)
Work Permit: Required
Study Permit: Required

Selling, altering, or allowing another person to use your passport is a criminal offence. It could lead to the laying of charges and imprisonment if convicted. It could also lead to the denial of future passport services.

Special and diplomatic passport holders should verify visa requirements for this and other countries, as they may differ from those that apply to regular passport holders.

Any adult travelling with children may be required to show evidence of parental/custodial and/or access rights. Foreign and Canadian authorities may also require evidence that the adult has the consent of the parents, legal guardian, and/or the court to travel with the children. Some countries may not permit children to enter or, in some cases, leave the country without proper documentation such as a letter of consent or a court order.

Although same-sex marriages are legal in Canada, many countries do not recognize them. Attempting to enter as a same-sex married couple may result in refusal by local officials. For more information, contact the foreign government office accredited to Canada.

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9. MONEY

The currency is the loti (plural maloti) (LSL); however, the South African rand (ZAR) can also be used. Major credit cards and traveller's cheques, in

U.S.

dollars, are accepted only at major tourist establishments and banks. Currency is readily available through ATMs; bank line-ups are long and charges are high.

Check with your bank for information on ATM services in other countries. You can also check the VISA ATM locator page or the MasterCard ATM locator page for the addresses of ATMs around the world. Your bank can advise if you need a new personal identification number (PIN) for overseas access to your account. Credit cards and debit cards should be used with caution due to the potential for fraud and other criminal activity. ATMs should be used during business hours inside a bank, supermarket, or large commercial building. Leave copies of your card numbers with a family member in case of emergency.

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10. GENERAL INFORMATION

Lesotho (capital: Maseru) is located in southern Africa and is surrounded by

South Africa

. The official languages are Sesotho and English. Tourist facilities and services are limited.

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11. TRAVEL MEDICINE PROGRAM

The Public Health Agency of Canada and the World Health Organization (WHO) report on disease outbreaks that occur throughout the world. For the latest travel health advisories and related information, visit the Public Health Agency of Canada’s Travel Medicine Program Web site.

The Public Health Agency of Canada strongly recommends that your travel plans include contacting a travel medicine clinic or physician six to eight weeks before departure. Based on your individual risk assessment, a health care professional can determine your need for immunizations and/or preventive medication and advise you on precautions to avoid disease. Travellers are reminded to ensure that their routine (childhood) immunizations (e.g., tetanus, diphtheria, polio, and measles) are up to date.

Standards of medical care may differ from those in Canada. Treatment may be expensive, and payment in advance may be required. Travellers are advised to arrange for medical insurance prior to departure. Prescription medications should be kept in the original container and packed in carry-on luggage.

The Public Health Agency of Canada also recommends that travellers who become sick or feel unwell on their return to Canada seek a medical assessment with their personal physician. Travellers should inform their physician that they have been travelling or living outside of Canada.

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12. ADDITIONAL HEALTH INFORMATION

Medical facilities are poor outside Maseru and medicines are scarcely available. Ambulance service is unreliable or non existent.

As the level of HIV/AIDS infection in Lesotho is high, you should be cautious about activities involving the transmission of bodily fluids.

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13. RETURNING TO CANADA

Please consult the Current Issue on returning to Canada.

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14. INTERNATIONAL ADOPTIONS

Provincial and territorial authorities in Canada are responsible for authorizing international adoptions. If you are thinking of adopting a child from another country, you must first obtain information about the adoption regulations of the province or territory in which the child will reside. While adoption is a provincial/territorial responsibility, Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) is responsible for allowing an adopted child entry into Canada. Entry can be refused if the child does not hold the appropriate immigrant visa. A visa may be denied, even if the adoption has already been completed. For more information contact CIC at 1 888 242-2100 (in Canada only), check the CIC Web site or contact your provincial or territorial government.

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15. TRAVEL TIPS

Please consult our Traveller's Checklist.

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16. HEALTH AND TRAVEL INSURANCE

Do not rely on your provincial health plan to cover all expenses if you get sick or are injured while abroad. It may cover nothing or only a portion of the costs. Understand the terms of your supplementary insurance policy. Some credit cards offer their holders health and travel insurance. Do not assume the card alone provides adequate coverage. Carry details of your insurance with you. Also, tell your travel agent, a friend or relative, and/or travelling companion how to contact your insurer. Get a detailed invoice from the doctor or hospital before you return to Canada. Always submit original receipts for any medical services or prescriptions received abroad. Most insurance companies will not accept copies or faxes.

Cancelling a scheduled trip abroad could cost you money. Before cancelling a scheduled trip, you should discuss the matter with your travel agent, your travel insurer, or the airline. The decision to travel is the sole responsibility of the traveller.

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17. FOR MORE INFORMATION

N/A

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18. ANNEX

N/A

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