Maseru

Maseru’s climate is classified as subtropical highland, with warm, wet summers and mild to chilly, dry winters.

Summer in the Southern Hemisphere lasts from December to March, and the average daily temperature is 22 degrees Celsius (72 degrees Fahrenheit).

The average temperature in the winter, between June and September, is 9 degrees Celsius (48 degrees Fahrenheit).

January is the warmest month, with temperatures ranging from 15 to 33 °C (59 to 91 °F).

Temperatures in July, the coolest month, vary from 3 to 17 °C (27 to 63 °F).

Maseru is a town in northwest Lesotho on the Mohokare River, which marks the border with South Africa. A border station at the Maseru Bridge, which spans the river, connects the two nations. Ladybrand is the nearest town to Maseru on the South African side. The settlement is located in a narrow valley at the foot of the Maloti Mountains’ Hlabeng-Sa-Likhama foothills. The city is at a height of 1,600 meters (5,200 feet) above sea level. The city is around 138 square kilometers in size (53 sq mi).

The city’s trade is focused on two adjacent core business areas that sprang up around Kingsway and now serve as key employment centers. Larger office buildings, retail shops, and many banks may be found in the western commercial area. Smaller shops, marketplaces, and street sellers abound in the eastern commercial area. The city’s primary commercial areas are the city’s biggest employment hubs.

Maseru’s economy has been rising at a breakneck pace, notably in terms of international investment and tourism, since the country gained independence from Britain in 1968 and experienced economic disaster when political unrest erupted in 1998. Since then, the residents of the city have been working tirelessly to repair the damage.

Maseru’s business is divided into two categories. Along Moshoeshoe Road, to the north of the core business areas, are flour mills and other large corporations. The second industrial sector is located to the south of the major business areas, in the Thetsane district, and is mostly comprised of textile and footwear manufacturers.

There are multiple internet cafes in Maseru, and although they are reasonably priced, they are sluggish at best.

Cellphones may be rented from a variety of stores in Maseru. If you’re visiting Lesotho (or any other nation in Southern Africa), carry an unlocked smartphone and purchase pay-as-you-go SIM cards in each country where you’ll be staying. Lesotho has cellular service in almost every town.

Maseru is 18 kilometers from Moshoeshoe Airport. There are a few daily flights from Maseru to Johannesburg operated by South African Airways, which cost roughly LSL2,200. Luggage is often misplaced, and there is no method for reporting missing luggage. Because there are no cabs at the airport, you need arrange for a pick-up ahead of time. Taxis cost around LSL100.

Mission Aviation operates out of the smaller Moeshoeshoe I airport, which is located 2 kilometers from Maseru’s major business district. They provide charter flights to Mokhotlong, Thaba-Tseka, and Katse, among other destinations, and can be reached at +266 2232 5699. Flights are pricey, and their small aircraft might be tight, but they travel to most of Lesotho’s airstrips.

You may drive into Maseru from South Africa through the entrance point.

Most South African national bus services stop at Maseru Bridge Border Post, from which you may grab a cab into Maseru.

• Vaal-Maseru Bus Services, +27 18 462-1000.A Johannesburg to Maseru service is sometimes available. For the most up-to-date information, contact them.
• Local bus from Bloemfontein. Every day at 6:00 a.m., a coach departs from Bloemfontein’s main bus terminal for a 2-hour journey to the Maseru Bridge border. If you miss this, a number of Toyota Hiaces will drop you off halfway to Maseru, where you may pick up a second Hiace. This alternative takes 3 to 5 hours depending on how long it takes for the Hiace to fill up..
• Intercape. Drop off at Ladybrand, where a 20-minute minibus ride will take you to Maseru.

Because Maseru is Lesotho’s transportation center, a Minibus taxi service to Maseru is available from anyplace in Lesotho that is linked by road.

The major taxi station is the bus stop on Moeshoeshoe Rd, however private taxis may be had for LSL20.

Call Comfort Taxis and ask for Khosana on +266 6274 5199 for information on taxis in Lesotho and Maseru.

Moonlight cabs may be reached at +266 22312695 for advice on getting a taxi in Lesotho.

MARKET / SUPERMARKET

RESTAURANTS

ENTERTAINMENT

PERSONAL CARE

CLOTHES / SHOES

TRANSPORTATION

Maseru is mostly a base for adventures and journeys farther into Lesotho, therefore there isn’t much to see there.

Mokorotlo. The Mokorotlo is a traditional hut constructed in a contemporary sophisticated manner, and it is a virtual museum where you can learn more about the customs and traditions of the friendly Basotho people.

On a weekday, Thetsane is worth a visit – two kilometers south of Maseru on Pioneer Road (past the Pope’s Podium) are a slew of factories that produce t-shirts and jeans for a slew of US retailers, including Kmart, Children’s Place, and Gap (if you’ve ever bought an Old Navy top, chances are it was stitched together here). Thetsane’s frantic rush and bustle stands in stark contrast to the languid pace of life elsewhere in Lesotho, and it’s an intriguing site to experience what African industrialization looks like.

• The Lehakoe Club and Gym, Moshoeshoe Road (next to the Central Bank, near the Houses of Parliament) By any measure, this is an excellent gym, with two swimming pools, tennis and squash courts, steam rooms, and a sauna. Membership is M215 per month, with daily and weekly options available.
• Lesotho National Tennis Courts Tennis courts that are both practical and affordable, as well as tuition, are accessible on the Kingsway bypass.
• Maseru Golf Course, – Play a game of golf at Maseru Golf Course with some drunken expats.
• Moeshoeshoe Day – In early March, Maseru celebrates Moeshoeshoe Day with colorful processions through the city center.
• Go canoeing on the Caledon river. Canoeing tours are available via the Lesotho-Durham Link (call ahead to see what they have to offer, +266 223 25166). For an afternoon, about LSL200.
• Join the Hash The Maseru Hash House Harriers are a great opportunity to meet other expats, get some exercise, and explore some of Maseru’s lesser-known areas. They’re rather mild, with classic drinking games kept to a minimum.
• Hike up the Hill behind the Lesotho Sun. A rocky slope is behind the motel (where they are now building the new Chinese funded parliament building – Lesotho supports the One China policy). Climbing should take approximately 30 minutes but is well worth the effort – go before sunset and bring your camera!
• Trips from Maseru. There are several possibilities for day outings and weekend vacations if you live and work in Maseru. This is a couple years old, but have a look.

White Box Food

Not a restaurant, but a fantastic low-cost dining alternative – on Kingsway during noon, several food sellers fry up chicken, pork, rice, and papa and serve it to the town’s office workers for roughly LSL12-15 per box – extremely delicious and full.

M’editerranea Pizza

(just off Pioneer Rd, near OK supermarket)

Nice fresh pizza, by far the finest coffee in town, and wonderful ambient music

Mimmo’s Italian Deli

United Nations Rd

Great atmosphere, varied cuisine, including really garlicky pizzas and pasta dishes The service is subpar, but this is Lesotho.

Nando’s

Moeshoeshoe Rd

Portuguese chicken is delicious.

New Asia

Kingsway (behind Victoria Hotel)

Accessible from the garage behind the Victoria Hotel, this is a nice Chinese restaurant.

Peace Restaurant

Moeshoeshoe Rd (just down from Nando’s)

The Peace Restaurant, located in the rear of a Chinese grocery store, provides a real Chinese dining experience – delicious cuisine, plastic seats, and Chinese karaoke on Friday and Saturday evenings! It’s almost as if you’re in China.

Good Times Cafe

LNDC Centre, Kingsway (above the Vodacom shop)

Maseru’s lone nightclub also provides acceptable South African food – good for lunch if you have 1.5 hours or longer. Except for a few foreigners, the nights are mostly deserted. Live football on a large screen.

Solomon’s Ground

This restaurant, located under the post office on the corner of Constitution Road, serves good Italian cuisine and hosts an Ethiopian buffet on Thursdays.

Lancer’s Inn

Kingsway

The meal was delicious, but the service was sluggish.

Lesotho Sun

Nightingale Rd

Chinese restaurant and a grill restaurant, both of which are rather acceptable for the price (expensive), although it’s more handy than a drive to Ladybrand if you’re looking for a quality steak. On Sundays around midday, there’s a gluttonous all-you-can-eat buffet with plenty of food. Doors open at 12.30 p.m., but it quickly fills up with post-church middle-class Basotho families. If you want to get your nose in the trough, get there early! LSL120 (about) per person.

Maseru Sun Cabanas

Offers the same Sunday lunch buffet food-fest as the Lesotho Sun, however one tourist observed that Cabanas “buffet” grill was considerably better than the Lesotho Sun, despite the fact that they are both part of the Sun International Group and have a much greater selection. However, a recommendation is that the butter pudding on the dessert table is excellent in an old-fashioned home manner.

Regal Restaurant

Kingsway (part of the Basotho Hat complex)

The only non-hotel, non-Chinese restaurant that provides a nice eating experience – excellent (British-style) Indian cuisine, attractive atmosphere However, it is pricey, and although some describe the service as excellent, others describe it as ordinary at best.

Ocean Basket

South African seafood and sushi restaurant chain.

Pick’n’Pay

Pioneer Shopping Centre, Pioneer Road – South African grocery and liquor shop that is very well-stocked.

OK Shoprite

Kingsway (LNDC Centre, behind the Vodacom shop) – Before you travel to the mountains, this is a good spot to stock up on supplies.

OK Shoprite

Moeshoeshoe Rd – Once again, an excellent spot to stock up.

Fruit & Veg City

Kingsway (Cathedral end) Better fruit and vegetables than Shoprite, with a bizarre ‘Italian deli’ area selling extremely pricey pasta and Italian wine.

Basotho Hat

Kingsway – A government-run craft shop that sells handcrafted items manufactured in the area Beautiful hand-made copper and ceramic jewelry, outfits, and wire push toys are available. It’s worth going in simply to see the interesting architecture.

Chinese tailors

Kingsway, opposite Fruit & Veg – competent tailors who can replicate a suit for about LSL1,000 (they take the measurements from an existing suit rather than measure you)

Lesotho Cellphone Services

10 Lioli Rd. Industrial Area – a less expensive option for white goods and electrical equipment than the furniture stores along Kingsway

For electronics

On Kingsways, immediately across Fruit & Veg, there is a huge and surprisingly well-equipped business providing reasonably priced PCs and accessories, mobile phones and accessories, cables, and so on.

Good Times Cafe

LNDC Centre, Kingsway (above the Vodacom shop) – The only non-hotel bar in Maseru that is likely to appeal to tourists – may be extremely active on weekends, particularly after pay-day (at the end of the month), with live music and many of Lesotho’s young and wealthy in attendance – but can be quiet on week evenings

Lesotho Sun – Pool bar

Excellent for sundowners. On Fridays from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., buy one, get one free (very popular)

UN Club

The opening hours are a bit erratic, but for the more daring, it’s worth a go – It’s behind Lancers Inn, adjacent to the Sparrows bar/gas station..

Local bar in the suburbs

Want to step off the beaten path and experience suburban Maseru life? Try this pub – it’s safe and friendly (and inexpensive), with a beautiful beer garden out back that’s sometimes used for wedding receptions. Approximately 2 kilometers southeast of the cathedral traffic circle, right off major south.