DO’s

• Travel slowly as most roads are potholed, there are always plenty animals and people walking either on or alongside the road, and the local drivers tend to drive like maniacs on which ever side of the road tickles their fancy.
  
  
• Ask permission before taking a photograph of either a person or a person’s belongings ie their shop, home, or animals. They will usually be more than happy but will expect a tip of R2 – R5 for affording you the privilege.
  
  
• Be respectful toward the local people. Remember, you are travelling through their property, admiring their extended garden, and invading on their peace & tranquillity.
  
  
• Remember to wear your safety belt at all times when driving.
  
  
• Smile and greet the people you pass.
  
  
• Take a lot of memories, and leave only footprints.

DONT’s

• Give the local children sweets or money without them first earning it. If someone sings or plays an instrument for you, or assists you in any way you may reward them with R2 – R5. Most tourists don’t realise the problems they leave behind when merrily handing (or in most cases throwing) children sweets & money. To name but a few …..
  
  

  • Greed = children snatching all they can and stuffing it into their mouths before others can get near them.
    
    
  • Jealousy = those who weren’t at the right place at the right time are jealous of those who were.
    
    
  • Anger = those who didn’t get towards those who got and won’t share.
    
    
  • Violence = those who don’t get have been known to beat-up or throw stones at those who got and won’t share.
    
    
  • Family feuds = the families of the ones that got vs the ones that didn’t get as a result of anger or violence.
    
    
  • In some areas of Lesotho car stoning occurs when tourists drive past a group of children without giving them sweets or money, and sometimes just as sport. If such a thing happens to you, immediately stop your car and go into the village asking the locals where the Chief can be found. Report the incident to him and ask that you be compensated by the accused’s family of the value of the damage. It is also recommended that you record the names of the accused, the chief and the village name and report the incident to the nearest police station. This isn’t an enjoyable task when on holiday but is necessary for the government to clamp down on such criminal offenses and make future tourists holidays that much safer and more enjoyable.
    
    
• Pick flowers or remove plant life.
  
  
• Make a noise and disturb the peace.
  
  
• Camp anywhere without first gaining the local chiefs permission and paying him R10 – R20 for the privilege. He will then make sure nobody bothers you, and if they do then report it to him when convenient and he will follow up the matter.
  
  
• Drive where there aren’t any roads without first gaining permission from the local chief or authorities. Most Basothos speak English so it is easy to locate the person you seek.