Hire a car in Lesotho without a credit card. Collect it at Moshoeshoe I International Airport near Maseru, with full cover included and the deposit on your debit card.
What a week costs in Lesotho
| Car | Maseru Airport |
|---|---|
| Small car | from €262 |
| Midsize car | from €370 |
| Large car or SUV | from €796 |
From prices per week for a seven-day rental, all-inclusive, with the deposit on your debit card. Your price depends on your dates and how early you book. Updated 4 November 2026. About this price
Why hire a car in Lesotho?
Lesotho is a mountain kingdom surrounded entirely by South Africa. Among its sights are the plateau of Thaba-Bosiu, the Maletsunyane Falls, the Katse Dam high in the mountains and, in winter, the ski slopes of Afriski. A car lets you reach them, as long as you plan for mountain roads.
Moshoeshoe I International Airport lies in Mazenod, about 18 kilometres south-east of the centre of Maseru; it appears in our search as Maseru Airport. For more destinations, see all destinations.
Exploring Lesotho by car
Thaba-Bosiu
Thaba-Bosiu, a plateau in the Phuthiatsana Valley about 23 kilometres from the airport, was the stronghold of Moshoeshoe I, who founded the Basotho nation there in 1824. It is on UNESCO's tentative list.
The Maletsunyane Falls
The Maletsunyane Falls, about 120 kilometres south-east of Maseru, drop 192 metres.
Katse Dam and the highlands
The Katse Dam, about 230 kilometres from the airport, has a double-curvature concrete wall 185 metres high, built at some 2,000 metres above sea level, and you can take a tour of the dam wall. Afriski, at 3,222 metres, is a ski resort; the best months for skiing are June and July. Plan mountain drives so that you are not on the road in the dark.
Driving in Lesotho
Lesotho drives on the left. Bring an International Driving Permit with your own licence. The speed limit is 50 km/h in towns and 80 km/h on open roads. Roads linking rural communities are often gravel, livestock wanders onto them, and some areas may need a 4x4. Check the conditions before you drive the Sani Pass on the eastern border. Outside the cities and large towns there are few filling stations and no roadside assistance.
The loti is pegged one-to-one to the South African rand, and both are accepted throughout the country; if you travel outside Maseru, take enough cash. The border post at Maseru Bridge is about 25 kilometres from the airport. Taking a hire car across the border is only possible if the hire company allows it, so ask before you book.
Best time to hire a car in Lesotho
Summers are warm, with average highs of about 27°C in December and January near Maseru, and most rain falls from October to March, often with violent thunderstorms from November to February. Winters are cold: in June and July the nights near Maseru drop to about 1°C, and in the mountains heavy snow can close roads and passes. Even in summer it can turn cold unexpectedly in the highlands, so carry warm clothes and a blanket.
| Season | Average highHigh | Average lowLow | Rain a monthRain per month |
|---|---|---|---|
| SummerDec to Feb | 27°C | 14°C | 114 mm |
| AutumnMar to May | 22°C | 9°C | 64 mm |
| WinterJun to Aug | 17°C | 2°C | 15 mm |
| SpringSep to Nov | 24°C | 10°C | 66 mm |
Averages measured at Moshoeshoe I International Airport, 1981 to 2010 (World Meteorological Organization climate normals).
Frequently asked questions
How much does car hire in Lesotho cost without a credit card?
A week of all-inclusive car hire in Lesotho: a small car from €262, a midsize car from €370 and a large car or SUV from €796. That is the total for seven days, with the deposit on a debit card. Updated 4 November 2026.
How much is the deposit in Lesotho?
About €181 (M3,307), held on your debit card when you collect the car. Updated 4 November 2026.
Can I hire a car in Lesotho without a credit card?
Yes. Choose Maseru Airport in the search above. We show you the cars that let you leave the deposit on a debit card.
Do I need a 4x4 in Lesotho?
Not for the main roads, but rural roads are often gravel and some areas may need a 4x4. Check the conditions before you drive the Sani Pass.
Can I pay with rand in Lesotho?
Yes. The loti is pegged one-to-one to the rand, and both are accepted throughout the country.
