Lesotho in January

Green and warm; afternoon thunderstorms and rising rivers; falls in full flow.

January is rated mixed. These months rate higher:

• AprilGreatAutumn: clear skies, green hills, the best hiking month; Easter queues at borders.
• MayGreatCrisp and clear; first frosts; good pony-trekking weather.
• SeptemberGreatSpring warmth returns; roads clear; peach blossom in the lowlands.
• OctoberGreatWarm, clear days; 4 October Independence Day; Morija arts festival often this month (check).

• Lowlands · Maseru, Teyateyaneng, Mafeteng, Morijarainy

  The warmest part of the country at about 1,500 m; frosty winter mornings, summer storms.

• Central highlands · Semonkong, Malealea, Thaba-Tseka, Katserainy

  Maletsunyane Falls run fullest Jan–Apr; snow possible May–Sep; storms most summer afternoons.

• Eastern high plateau · Sani Top, Mokhotlong, Sehlabathebe, Afriskirainy

  Above 2,800 m: below freezing most winter nights; Afriski's ski season runs about June–August; Sani Pass can close with snow.

• Maseru30 °C (86 °F) / 16 °C (61 °F), 9 rain days86 °F (30 °C) / 61 °F (16 °C), 9 rain days
• Khatse22 °C (72 °F) / 10 °C (50 °F), 12 rain days72 °F (22 °C) / 50 °F (10 °C), 12 rain days
• Leribe25 °C (77 °F) / 12 °C (54 °F), 12 rain days77 °F (25 °C) / 54 °F (12 °C), 12 rain days
• Mafeteng28 °C (82 °F) / 14 °C (57 °F), 11 rain days82 °F (28 °C) / 57 °F (14 °C), 11 rain days
• Mohale's Hoek22 °C (72 °F) / 10 °C (50 °F), 10 rain days72 °F (22 °C) / 50 °F (10 °C), 10 rain days
• Mokhotlong22 °C (72 °F) / 10 °C (50 °F), 12 rain days72 °F (22 °C) / 50 °F (10 °C), 12 rain days
• Morija26 °C (79 °F) / 13 °C (55 °F), 10 rain days79 °F (26 °C) / 55 °F (13 °C), 10 rain days
• Oxbow20 °C (68 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 10 rain days68 °F (20 °C) / 46 °F (8 °C), 10 rain days
• Quthing25 °C (77 °F) / 14 °C (57 °F), 12 rain days77 °F (25 °C) / 57 °F (14 °C), 12 rain days
• Semonkong22 °C (72 °F) / 6 °C (43 °F), 12 rain days72 °F (22 °C) / 43 °F (6 °C), 12 rain days
• Teyateyaneng28 °C (82 °F) / 15 °C (59 °F), 12 rain days82 °F (28 °C) / 59 °F (15 °C), 12 rain days
• Thaba Bosiu28 °C (82 °F) / 15 °C (59 °F), 10 rain days82 °F (28 °C) / 59 °F (15 °C), 10 rain days
• Thaba-Tseka24 °C (75 °F) / 12 °C (54 °F), 12 rain days75 °F (24 °C) / 54 °F (12 °C), 12 rain days

Dates as our data lists them. Moving holidays (lunar and Islamic calendars, Easter) shift every year: check the date for your year before you build a trip on it.

• New Year's Day

  1 Jan

  Public holiday.

• New Year and school holidays

  1 January; schools closed until late January · Maseru

  Shops and offices closed on the day; border crossings busy in the days around; heat and thunderstorms.

• Thunderstorm season

  November to February · Maseru

  Hail and heavy afternoon rain; rivers swell and some low bridges flood; start drives early.

Crowds · Lesotho

Low

Prices · Lesotho

Low

Weather, crowds and prices for any two months in Lesotho, side by side.

• A rain jacket or umbrella and shoes that dry fast

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Rated best or good this month

• Mohale's Hoek

  Best months: Oct–Apr

• Oxbow

  Best months: Jun–Aug (skiing), Oct–Apr (hiking)