Hire a Private Jet to Lesotho, Southern Africa
Lesotho is a kingdom of mountains wholly enclosed by South Africa, and from London it is 5,267 nautical miles away, a sector that only an ultra-long-range jet flies without a stop. The airport lies at 5,348 feet, with no fuel supplier we could confirm, and the country's other airstrips are too short for anything but turboprops. Our customers have access to 6,500 jets of all types and configurations available for rent. We will help you choose the best option based on your needs and objectives. Our catalog contains the models from the largest manufacturers: Gulfstream, Dassault, Embraer, Airbus, Boeing, Bombardier, Learjet, Cessna, Beechcraft, Pilatus, HondaJet, etc. We have established partnerships with the world's largest airlines and VIP terminals, which means we can offer you favourable flight conditions and a high level of service. Our experts will manage the organization of your flight - starting with paperwork, agreements, etc., and ending with a transfer and meeting at the airport. Our company provides a full range of business aviation and concierge services. Services around Maseru are modest, and we say so.
At your request, the aviation consultants of Private Jets UK will help you choose the jet with the suitable technical parameters (production year, flight hours, and home base). The cost of the private jet charter in Lesotho depends on many factors, such as the model of the business jet, the number of passengers, departure and destination airports, type of flight, duration of parking, additional services, etc. Therefore, we calculate the price of each order individually taking into account your wishes. You can use an online calculator to get an instant charter quote. Please indicate your real contact details to get the final calculation.
You can calculate the cost of your flight in several ways:
- using an online calculator on the website (however, it shows only the approximate price);
- via Messenger (WhatsApp or Telegram);
- by landline or cell phone;
- via e-mail (jets@private-jets.co.uk).
Please note that the above-mentioned price is indicative only. It is calculated on this basis: a departure from Biggin Hill, a Bombardier Global 6000 to Maseru, nonstop, and two passengers aboard. If you want to get a personal quote, just fill out the online booking form below. Our aviation consultant will make the calculation within 20 minutes, and then contact you to specify the details of the flight.
How long does it take to fly to Lesotho?
Lesotho keeps South African Standard Time all year, two hours ahead of Britain in winter and one hour ahead in summer. These are the sectors to Maseru, gate to gate, on a Global 6000:
5,267 nautical miles, the closest of the London fields that suit a long sector, and the basis for the price at the top of the pageabout 11 h 05 min
5,277 nautical miles, the usual choice for Surrey, Hampshire and the Thames Valleyabout 11 h 05 min
5,419 nautical miles, the main departure for the north of Englandabout 11 h 25 min
5,582 nautical miles, the main Scottish departureabout 11 h 45 min
Why the aircraft decides the plan
The Global 6000 is quoted at roughly 6,000 nautical miles of range, so the sector from London leaves a reserve of several hundred miles. That margin matters at Maseru, because the airport lies 5,348 feet above sea level, where the thin air lengthens the take-off run and can limit the weight an aircraft carries out on a warm day.
An Embraer Praetor 600, a Challenger 605 or a midsize jet cannot fly London to Maseru in one hop. They need one or two fuel stops on the way, each adding an hour or more, and the stops depend on permits along the route, so we price those on request.
The exact flight time depends on the model of the business jet, as well as the speed of the tail or head wind. Our consultant will make a detailed calculation of the flight time for the chosen business jet.
Prices for the private jet flights to Lesotho
Typical private jet charter prices from Britain to Maseru, cheapest first. The entry price is Biggin Hill to Maseru on a Global 6000. The other rows show the aircraft we would usually propose from each airfield, chosen so that the range is comfortable:
| Route | Aircraft | Price, one way |
|---|---|---|
| London Biggin Hill - Maseru 5,267 nm / 9,754 km |
Global 6000 up to 13 |
from £142,050 |
| Southampton - Maseru 5,268 nm / 9,756 km |
Global 6000 up to 13 |
from £142,100 |
| London Farnborough - Maseru 5,277 nm / 9,773 km |
Global 6000 up to 13 |
from £142,350 |
| London Luton - Maseru 5,304 nm / 9,823 km |
Global 6000 up to 13 |
from £143,050 |
| Bristol - Maseru 5,315 nm / 9,843 km |
Global 6000 up to 13 |
from £143,300 |
| Birmingham - Maseru 5,359 nm / 9,925 km |
Global 6000 up to 13 |
from £144,450 |
| Manchester - Maseru 5,419 nm / 10,036 km |
Global 6000 up to 13 |
from £146,050 |
| Leeds Bradford - Maseru 5,438 nm / 10,071 km |
Global 6000 up to 13 |
from £146,550 |
| Newcastle - Maseru 5,504 nm / 10,193 km |
Global 6000 up to 13 |
from £148,250 |
| London Gatwick - Maseru 5,260 nm / 9,742 km |
Gulfstream G550 up to 16 |
from £148,550 |
| Belfast - Maseru 5,549 nm / 10,277 km |
Global 6000 up to 13 |
from £149,450 |
| Edinburgh - Maseru 5,582 nm / 10,338 km |
Global 6000 up to 13 |
from £150,300 |
| Glasgow - Maseru 5,594 nm / 10,360 km |
Gulfstream G550 up to 16 |
from £157,650 |
Two things worth knowing about these figures
– A Gulfstream G550 on the same departure from Biggin Hill is about £6,700 more than the Global 6000, and a Global 7500 about £38,600 more. On a sector this long the aircraft changes the price far more than the departure airfield does;
– A one-way price assumes the aircraft flies home empty. For a stay of several days the aircraft either waits at Maseru, with parking and the crew's hotel as lines of their own, or flies back and returns for you. Permits, handling and fuel are quoted separately, and that is where two quotes for the same trip usually differ.
Private jet flights within Lesotho and to its neighbours
Lesotho is small, and the airstrips outside Maseru are short. Mokhotlong is 83 nautical miles from the capital in a straight line, Qacha's Nek is 73, and neither has a runway of more than about 800 metres, so internal flights are not a product we sell for jets. Every neighbour is South Africa, and the sectors we are asked for are the ones to its airports:
| Route | Aircraft | Flight time | Price, one way |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maseru - Durban King Shaka (South Africa) 194 nm / 359 km |
Pilatus PC-12 NGX up to 9 |
about 1 h 15 min | from £3,100 |
| Maseru - Johannesburg OR Tambo (South Africa) 211 nm / 391 km |
Pilatus PC-12 NGX up to 9 |
about 1 h 15 min | from £3,150 |
| Maseru - Lanseria (South Africa) 221 nm / 409 km |
Pilatus PC-12 NGX up to 9 |
about 1 h 20 min | from £3,250 |
| Maseru - Cape Town (South Africa) 552 nm / 1,022 km |
Citation XLS+ up to 9 |
about 1 h 45 min | from £10,150 |
Domestic sectors and the neighbours
– Carrying passengers for hire between two places inside Lesotho needs the permission of the Department of Civil Aviation. The short strips at Mokhotlong and Qacha's Nek are listed for arrivals only with special permission, and we do not plan passenger arrivals there;
– A party that leaves Maseru for Johannesburg or Cape Town needs a new landing permit and entry clearance on the South African side, which we file with the rest of the programme.
We can arrange the flights from any cities in the UK (England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland) and European countries. Due to a large database of available business jets, we can help you find an optimal jet and crew. If you have any questions about the departure or the flight itself, you can ask them using the form below:
Prices depending on the type of business jet
We can clearly show the high dependence of the cost of the flight, on the type of aircraft - we have collected approximate data, at the price of 1 flight hour, for various types of business jets:
The cost per hour indicated in the table is preliminary and does not constitute an offer or a commercial offer. Exact prices are available from the managers of the company.
Online Calculator
If you want to make an urgent calculation of the cost of a private plane flight, use our online calculator. Just fill in all the fields of the form with a note that you are interested in a specific model of the aircraft and get the final price. NB! - the figures are sent to you by email or messenger, please carefully fill in the contact details to get the calculation.
All our calculations are as transparent as possible for you. After receiving the request, we will prepare a beautiful offer - where the costs and the final price will be clearly described. The exact price is agreed in advance and is written in the contract, so you can be sure of the final cost.
Private jets are ready to take off
Our database contains over 6,500 business jets (about 3,500 in Europe and 3,000 in the rest of the world) of different configurations and production years. The list of models is constantly updated. Unfortunately, we can't post a full list of available jets on our website due to confidentiality issues. Please contact the managers of the company for more accurate information. We will help you choose a suitable model taking into account your wishes. These are the typical choices for Lesotho:
Turboprops
For the hops to Johannesburg, Lanseria and Durban, never for the journey from London.
Light and midsize jets
These reach Maseru in stages from London and suit three or four people with soft bags.
Super-midsize and heavy
Useful for the sectors inside southern Africa, and for London with two fuel stops.
Ultra-long range
The only jets that fly London to Maseru without stopping, carrying up to 16 people.
How to book a private jet?
You can book a private jet flight to Lesotho in 6 easy steps:
- Flight request - indicating the route and your preferences for the model of business jet and other points.
- Coordination of flight details - our consultant will contact you to offer the possible flight options and answer all your questions.
- Commercial offer - we will send you a final offer on a specific model taking into account all your wishes.
- Signing of the contract.
- Payment for the flight and booking a business jet.
- Departure at the agreed time and date. Assistance during the whole flight.
In addition to renting the private jets and arranging the flights, we provide concierge services, premium transfer, security, exclusive catering, etc. We have learned to solve problems of any complexity, offering the service of the European level. Our experts will be happy to answer your questions and help you arrange your flight.
How to rent a business jet with a crew
5 main stages:
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Sending an application
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Clarification of details and search for options
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Preparation and coordination of optimal options
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Registration of documents. Payment of the invoice.
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Departure on the route.
Business aviation airports in Lesotho
Lesotho has one international airport, and every charter from Britain aims for it. The list of alternatives is South African:
| Airport | Ground | How it operates |
|---|---|---|
| Maseru Moshoeshoe I International MSU / FXMM |
about 15 to 18 km south-east of Maseru, near the town of Mazenod | One asphalt runway, 04/22, of 3,200 metres (10,499 feet) by 45 metres, with ILS, VOR and NDB approaches, at 5,348 feet (1,630 metres). A second runway, 11/29, is only 1,010 metres. Listed as an airport of entry, with slots not required, handling not mandatory and rescue and fire category 6. One directory gives airport hours as Sunday to Friday 06:00 to 20:00 local time and round the clock on Saturday. The same listing shows no fuel, so we confirm the fuel plan before anything else |
| Johannesburg OR Tambo and Lanseria JNB / FAOR and HLA / FALA, South Africa |
about 211 and 221 nautical miles north of Maseru in a straight line | Both are South African gateways with customs and a private terminal, and the natural place for a fuel stop or a night on the ground. A party that lands there needs a separate South African permit and clears South African entry formalities |
| Mokhotlong and Qacha's Nek FXMK and FXQN |
in the north-east and the south-east of the mountains | Short asphalt strips of roughly 700 to 800 metres at 7,200 and 6,100 feet, listed in an older guide as airports of entry needing special permission. We do not plan jet or passenger arrivals there |
Maseru has no business aviation terminal that we can name and describe. A flight-support directory names International Flight Planning Solutions and Just Aviation as support organisations. We choose the handler and confirm in writing where the party is processed, who meets the aircraft and what the terminal offers on the day.
Fuel needs the most attention. One airport directory lists no fuel at Maseru, an older operating guide says Jet A1 and Avgas are available, and a permit service says Jet A-1 is arranged through flight support. Until it is confirmed in writing, we plan the return so that the aircraft either arrives with the fuel to leave or positions through Johannesburg.
Three points settle most Lesotho arrivals before a quote goes out:
Permit: ask early
Operator guides recommend 24 to 48 working hours for a standard request, and earlier for anything unusual. The Department of Civil Aviation in Maseru issues it, the conditions on the approval apply as written, and office hours should be reconfirmed for a weekend or a public holiday.
Papers for the permit
Registration and type, operator and callsign, the schedule, the route, the purpose of the flight, insurance, and crew and passenger details.
Changes need a new approval
A change of aircraft, date, time or routing can mean the permit is amended, so we fix the aircraft before we apply.
Arriving from Britain: passport, South Africa and customs
British passengers need no visa for a visit, but the passport has to meet two tests.
British citizens can visit Lesotho for up to 90 days without a visa. A longer stay needs an extension from the Visa Application Centre in Maserunone for a short visit
valid for at least 90 days after the date of arrival, with at least four blank pages, because Lesotho and South African border control both stamp itcheck the expiry and the pages
cash or travellers cheques worth 25,000 loti or more, in any currency, must be declared, or the money can be seized on departure and a fine imposed. The loti is pegged to the South African rand, and both are accepteddeclare it
South Africa and the way in
The Foreign Office says all visitors must travel through South Africa, by air or land, and must meet South Africa's entry requirements. Its page says nothing about private aircraft, so we do not guess how that applies to a jet flying direct to Maseru: the handler confirms in writing whether anything is needed on the South African side.
The Foreign Office states no yellow fever requirement and refers travellers to the TravelHealthPro page for health rules and vaccinations.
Clearance and the way home
On arrival, passengers and crew clear immigration and customs at Maseru, which is listed as an airport of entry. One permit service reports crew visas issued on arrival for up to 72 hours, but we found no official text, so the handler confirms the crew arrangements in writing. Anything that may be prohibited or taxed should be declared.
Coming home is a flight into Britain. A General Aviation Report goes to the border authorities not earlier than 48 hours and not later than two hours before departure, and British and Irish citizens need no electronic travel authorisation. Passengers with another passport should check their own entry rules, and a dual national returning to the UK must carry a valid British passport or a certificate of entitlement.
Which airport for which part of Lesotho
The answer is Maseru for everything, with the places below reached from it by road:
the capital and largest city, at about 1,600 metres, right on the border with South AfricaMaseru
the stronghold of King Moshoeshoe I, about 24 km east of MaseruMaseru, then by road
Lesotho's only ski resort, in the north near the Mahlasela Pass, at about 3,050 metres, about four and a half hours by road from JohannesburgMaseru or Johannesburg, then a long mountain drive
in the highlands at about 3,100 metres, access arranged with the mineby arrangement with the mine
Maseru and the mountains: what our clients go for
Business decides most trips. Maseru generates about half of the country's output, and the visitors are officials, development and finance teams, and companies with garment factories, a sector in which Lesotho is the largest exporter to the United States from sub-Saharan Africa. A second group comes for the diamond mines, among them Letšeng, which has the highest average price per carat of any diamond mine in the world. A 910-carat stone from there sold for 40 million US dollars.
Water is the other business: the Lesotho Highlands Water Project sends Orange River water to the Johannesburg area and made Lesotho almost self-sufficient in electricity. Visitors with free time have Maseru's Royal Palace, Thaba Bosiu, hiking, and in winter the slopes at Afriski. Even the lowest point of the country, at 1,400 metres, is the highest in the world for any country, and tourist infrastructure is simple.
The Lesotho year: summer storms and winter snow
Altitude keeps the country cooler than other places at the same latitude. Maseru has warm, rainy summers and cool, dry winters, with average temperatures of about 21 degrees in summer and 9 in winter. The lowlands can reach 30 degrees in summer and fall to minus 7 in winter, and the highlands can fall to minus 18, with minus 20 reported at the Letšeng mine:
the wet season, with most of the rain falling as summer thunderstorms, hottest and wettest in Januarywet
cool and dry in the lowlands, with snow on the highlands and, on the highest peaks, snow that can lie all year; Afriski runs from June to Augustdry and cold
The Lesotho calendar: holidays, festivals and the ski months
A few dates matter for permits, offices and hotels, and we list them by their usual month:
What a holiday does to a flight plan
Public holidays can close government offices, and the Department of Civil Aviation should be asked about its hours before a weekend or holiday arrival. We apply early for a trip near any of these dates, and we do not book a landing for the day itself without written confirmation.
Flying to Lesotho with a dog or a cat
A pet can travel in the cabin, but the import permit is a step that cannot be skipped.
The facts to read before you book
A pet-travel guide for Lesotho says that dogs and cats need an import permit from the Director of Animal Health, unless they arrive from Botswana, Malawi, Namibia, South Africa, Eswatini or Zimbabwe. The permit is valid for six months from issue. The rabies vaccination must fall between 30 days and 12 months before travel, and a licensed vet completes a health certificate shortly before entry. A microchip is not required, a rabies titre test is not required, and pets that meet the rules are not quarantined.
The same guide says pets arriving by air must enter at Moshoeshoe Airport in Maseru. A pet that arrives without the right papers can be quarantined at the owner's expense, sent back or, in the worst case, destroyed. We found no official Lesotho text, so we obtain the requirements in writing before the aircraft is confirmed.
- An import permit from the Director of Animal Health, applied for well ahead of travel;
- A microchip fitted before the rabies vaccination, which Britain requires for the way home even though Lesotho does not.
Coming home, a pet from a country that is not on the British list, as Lesotho is not, needs a microchip fitted before the rabies vaccination, then a rabies blood test taken at least 30 days after the vaccination, and a wait of three months from the date of the sample before the animal travels. A British pet health certificate is also needed. A dog must also be treated against tapeworm by a vet no less than 24 hours and no more than 120 hours before landing in Britain. An animal that arrives without the right paperwork can be held in quarantine for up to four months.
We confirm in writing which entry point will receive the animal and which papers are needed. Requirements for birds, rabbits and the less usual species are set out in our flying with pets guide.
Empty Legs
An empty leg is a repositioning flight with nobody aboard, offered at a fraction of the usual price. On a route this long they are rare, and we do not promise one.
Where Lesotho empty legs come from
– A charter that lands in Maseru and does not wait: the aircraft returns to Europe empty, and the leg home is the one most often offered;
– Aircraft repositioned from Johannesburg after a contract in South Africa.
Whatever is free is listed on our empty legs page. A selection of Lesotho empty legs follows:
| Route | Aircraft | Capacity | Whole aircraft |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lesotho (Maseru) - UK (London Biggin Hill) | Global 6000 | 13 seats | £59,650 |
| UK (London Luton) - Lesotho (Maseru) | Global 6000 | 13 seats | £60,100 |
| Lesotho (Maseru) - UK (Bristol) | Global 6000 | 13 seats | £60,200 |
| Lesotho (Maseru) - UK (Birmingham) | Global 6000 | 13 seats | £60,650 |
| UK (Manchester) - Lesotho (Maseru) | Global 6000 | 13 seats | £61,350 |
| UK (Farnborough) - Lesotho (Maseru) | Gulfstream G550 | 16 seats | £62,600 |
How to read those figures
– Each price is for the whole aircraft rather than per seat. A Global 6000 from Luton to Maseru with thirteen aboard works out at about £4,600 a seat, and with six aboard about £10,000.
Helicopter charter
We found no helicopter operator in Lesotho that we can name and verify. The Maseru airline that once flew a helicopter has closed, so we confirm the machine, the crew and each landing site when the request comes in. The transfers that come up are the hops into the mountains:
in place of a long mountain road to a site at about 3,100 metresabout 50 min
over the high ground in the north-eastabout 50 min
The times are straight-line estimates at a cruise of about 115 knots, and daylight is the limit. The thin air at these altitudes cuts lifting power, so the type and load are agreed in advance.
Flights from the UK to Lesotho
Biggin Hill and Farnborough are the south-east airfields best suited to a long sector, with Luton, Gatwick, Stansted and London City as the other London options. Manchester is 152 nautical miles further from Maseru than Biggin Hill, which still leaves a Global 6000 a comfortable reserve. The table below lists the British airports we work with:
List of TOP 25 business aviation airports:
| Airport | Country | ICAO | IATA |
|---|---|---|---|
 London Heathrow Airport |
England | EGLL | LHR |
| Birmingham Airport |
England | EGBB | BHX |
| London Gatwick |
England | EGKK | LGW |
| London City Airport |
England | EGLC | LCY |
| London Luton |
England | EGGW | LTN |
| Edinburgh Airport |
Scotland | EGPH | EDI |
| Leeds Airport |
England | EGNM | LBA |
| Manchester Airport |
England | EGCC | MAN |
| London Stansted |
England | EGSS | STN |
| Liverpool John Lennon Airport |
England | EGGP | LPL |
| Newcastle Airport |
England | EGNT | NCL |
| Bristol Airport |
England | EGGD | BRS |
| Glasgow Airport |
Scotland | EGPF | GLA |
| East Midlands Airport |
England | EGNX | EMA |
| Southampton Airport |
England | EGHI | SOU |
| Jersey Airport |
Channel Islands | EGJJ | JER |
| Cardiff International Airport |
Wales | EGFF | CWL |
| Inverness Airport |
Scotland | EGPE | INV |
| Bournemouth Airport |
England | EGHH | BOH |
| London Farnborough Airport |
England | EGLF | FAB |
| Oxford Airport |
England | EGTK | OXF |
| London Biggin Hill |
England | EGKB | BQH |
| Belfast Airport |
Northern Ireland | EGAA | BFS |
| Gibraltar Airport |
Gibraltar | LXGB | GIB |
| Aberdeen Airport |
Scotland | EGPD | ABZ |
Lesotho charters from the booking notes: six typical trips
Six typical jobs from booking notes, with the particulars changed.
MASERU · ONE NIGHT ON THE GROUND
Two directors and a ministry meeting
Biggin Hill - Maseru and return, Global 6000, about 11 h 05 min each way · 2 pax
The passports were checked for the 90-day rule and four blank pages, and the handler confirmed the fuel plan in writing before the permit was filed.
JOHANNESBURG · THE CAREFUL ROUTE
A delegation using the South African gateway
London Luton - Johannesburg, Global 6000, then Johannesburg - Maseru, Citation XLS+ · 5 pax
The party cleared South African entry at Johannesburg and made the short hop to Maseru the next morning, which kept the fuel and permits simple.
AFRISKI · A WINTER WEEK
Six people on a ski trip
Southampton - Maseru, Global 6000, about 11 h 05 min · 6 pax
A family booked a week at the mountain resort in the ski months, with the road transfer planned for daylight.
MASERU AND CAPE TOWN · TWO COUNTRIES
A team continuing to the coast
Manchester - Maseru, Global 6000, about 11 h 25 min, then Maseru - Cape Town · 8 pax
The South African landing permit and entry rules were arranged in Britain before departure.
WITH THE DOG · SEVERAL WEEKS OF PAPER
A couple and a spaniel bound for a long stay
Biggin Hill - Maseru, Global 6000, about 11 h 05 min · 2 pax + dog
The import permit came first, the rabies vaccination fell inside the window Lesotho sets, and the blood test for the British return was done before leaving.
EMPTY LEG · A FLEXIBLE RETURN
A return from Maseru on a Global 6000
Maseru - Birmingham, Global 6000 empty leg, about 11 h 15 min · 6 pax
The client gave a window of three days instead of a date and paid about £60,650, a little under half of a fresh one-way charter on the same sector.
Frequently asked questions about flying to Lesotho
1How long does it take to fly to Lesotho by private jet?
About 11 hours 05 minutes from London Biggin Hill to Maseru on a Global 6000, nonstop. A Praetor 600, a Challenger or a midsize jet cannot fly the sector in one hop and needs one or two fuel stops, which add an hour or more each.
2How much does a private jet to Lesotho cost?
From about £142,050 one way from Biggin Hill to Maseru on a Global 6000. A Gulfstream G550 on the same departure is about £148,750, and from Edinburgh a Global 6000 is about £150,300. Maseru to Johannesburg starts from £3,150 on a turboprop.
3Which airport do private jets use in Lesotho?
Maseru Moshoeshoe I International (MSU / FXMM), about 15 to 18 km from the city. It has a 3,200 metre runway with ILS and is listed as an airport of entry, with fuel to be confirmed. Mokhotlong and Qacha's Nek have strips too short for our jets.
4Do British passengers need a visa for a private flight to Lesotho?
No visa is needed for up to 90 days, but the passport must be valid for 90 days after arrival and have four blank pages. The aircraft needs a landing permit from the Department of Civil Aviation, typically requested 24 to 48 working hours ahead.
5Is there fuel at Maseru airport?
Sources disagree: one directory lists no fuel, an older operating guide lists Jet A1, and a permit service says it is arranged through flight support. We confirm it in writing and, if needed, plan the return through Johannesburg.
6Can I take my dog or cat on a private jet to Lesotho?
Yes, with planning. A pet-travel guide says an import permit is needed, the rabies vaccination must fall between 30 days and 12 months before travel, and pets enter through Maseru. The return follows the British rules for countries outside the simple scheme, including a rabies blood test.