The +266 country code belongs to Lesotho, a small mountainous kingdom completely surrounded by South Africa. If you've received a call from a number starting with +266, it came from Lesotho. The country is sometimes called the "Kingdom in the Sky" because its entire territory sits above 1,400 metres elevation, giving it the highest low point of any country in the world.
Lesotho has about 2.3 million people. The capital Maseru sits on the western border, directly across the Caledon River from the South African city of Ladybrand. Sesotho and English are both official languages, though Sesotho dominates everyday conversation. The economy relies on water exports to South Africa (via the Lesotho Highlands Water Project), textile manufacturing, and remittances from Basotho workers in South African mines.
Quick answer: The +266 country code is Lesotho. Phone numbers are 8 digits after the country code. There is no trunk prefix. Mobile numbers start with 5 (Vodacom) or 6 (Econet Telecom), and landline numbers start with 22 (Maseru area). Dial +266 followed by all 8 digits.
How to call Lesotho: quick reference
Lesotho has no trunk prefix. Dial the full 8-digit local number after the country code, whether calling a mobile or landline.
| Calling from | Dialing format |
|---|---|
| US/Canada mobile | +266 [local number] |
| US/Canada landline | 011-266-[local number] |
| UK | 00-266-[local number] |
| Australia | 0011-266-[local number] |
| Germany | 00-266-[local number] |
| France | 00-266-[local number] |
Understanding Lesotho phone numbers
All Lesotho phone numbers are 8 digits after the +266 country code. There is no trunk prefix, so you never add or remove a leading zero.
Mobile numbers
Mobile numbers start with 5 (Vodacom Lesotho) or 6 (Econet Telecom Lesotho). The format is +266 XXXX XXXX. For example, +266 5812 3456 would be a Vodacom mobile, and +266 6312 7890 would be an Econet mobile.
Landline numbers
Landline numbers start with 22 for the Maseru area. Other district codes exist but landlines outside Maseru are uncommon. The format is the same 8 digits: +266 22XX XXXX.
Area codes
Lesotho uses a closed numbering plan. The first digits identify the network or district:
| Prefix | Type / area |
|---|---|
| 22 | Landline (Maseru) |
| 50, 56, 57, 58, 59 | Vodacom mobile |
| 62, 63 | Econet Telecom mobile |
Mobile carriers in Lesotho
Lesotho has two mobile operators and a fixed-line provider (Lesotho Telecom, now part of Econet).
Vodacom Lesotho
Vodacom is the dominant mobile operator in Lesotho, part of the South African Vodacom Group. It has the widest coverage, including 4G/LTE in Maseru and larger towns. Vodacom mobile numbers start with 5. Most Basotho use Vodacom, and M-Pesa mobile money is widely used through this network.
Econet Telecom Lesotho (ETL)
Econet Telecom Lesotho is the second operator, also managing the legacy fixed-line network. Mobile numbers start with 6. Coverage is more limited than Vodacom, particularly in the mountainous eastern highlands. ETL also provides the country's landline service, though fixed lines are increasingly rare as mobile has taken over.
Don't confuse +266 with nearby codes
Lesotho's +266 is easy to mix up with nearby southern African codes, especially +267 (Botswana) which is just one digit off.
| Code | Country | How to tell apart |
|---|---|---|
| +266 | Lesotho | 8-digit numbers, surrounded by South Africa |
| +267 | Botswana | 7-8 digit numbers, north of South Africa |
| +27 | South Africa | 9-digit numbers with trunk prefix 0 |
| +268 | Eswatini | 8-digit numbers, eastern border of South Africa |
The most common confusion is between +266 (Lesotho) and +27 (South Africa), since Lesotho is entirely inside South Africa's borders. Many Basotho have South African phone numbers as well, so always confirm which number to use. Also watch out for +267 (Botswana), which differs by just one digit.
Time zone considerations
Lesotho is on South Africa Standard Time (SAST, UTC+2) year-round. The country does not observe daylight saving time.
| Your time zone | Lesotho offset | Best calling window |
|---|---|---|
| US East (EST/EDT) | +7 hours | 7am-11am your time (2pm-6pm Maseru) |
| US West (PST/PDT) | +10 hours | 6am-8am your time (4pm-6pm Maseru) |
| UK (GMT/BST) | +2 / +1 hour | 9am-5pm your time |
| Central Europe (CET) | +1 / 0 hours | Same or 1 hour ahead |
| South Africa (SAST) | Same | Same time zone |
Since Lesotho shares the same time zone as South Africa, callers from Johannesburg or Cape Town can call at any reasonable hour without worrying about time differences.
Communication in Lesotho
Business hours and calling patterns
Business hours in Lesotho are 8am to 5pm Monday through Friday. Government offices typically close at 4:30pm. Saturday mornings are common for shopping and markets, but most formal businesses close by noon. Sunday is a rest day for most of the country. Lesotho is a predominantly Christian country, and church attendance on Sunday mornings is widespread, so avoid calling during that time.
Language considerations
Sesotho (Southern Sotho) is the primary spoken language. English is co-official and used in government, education, and business, so most educated Basotho are comfortable in both languages. When calling businesses or offices, English is usually fine. For personal calls to rural areas, Sesotho may be the only language spoken.
Network quality
Mobile coverage in Maseru and the western lowlands is good, with 4G available in urban areas. The mountainous eastern highlands have much weaker coverage. Some remote villages in the Maluti Mountains have no signal at all. Power outages happen but are less frequent than in some neighbouring countries. If calling someone in the highlands and the call drops, they may have walked out of coverage rather than hung up.
The Lesotho diaspora
Where they went
The Basotho diaspora is overwhelmingly concentrated in South Africa. This is not surprising given that Lesotho is completely surrounded by South Africa and has been sending migrant workers to South African mines since the late 1800s. Johannesburg, the Free State province, and Gauteng have the largest Basotho communities. Smaller numbers live in the UK, US, and Canada, but South Africa accounts for the vast majority.
Why they call
Most calls to Lesotho come from Basotho workers in South Africa checking in with family. Mining and construction workers often spend months away from home, making regular phone calls their main lifeline to spouses, children, and parents. Call volumes pick up around payday (typically month-end), during school holidays, and around cultural events like initiation ceremonies. Christmas and Easter are also peak calling periods, as many workers travel home and coordinate logistics by phone in advance.
Dialing examples
Calling a Vodacom mobile in Maseru
To call a Vodacom mobile number 5812 3456:
From US/Canada mobile: +266 5812 3456
From US/Canada landline: 011-266-5812-3456
From South Africa: 00-266-5812-3456
Calling an Econet mobile
To call an Econet mobile number 6312 7890:
From US/Canada mobile: +266 6312 7890
From UK: 00-266-6312-7890
From South Africa: 00-266-6312-7890
Calling a landline in Maseru
To call a Maseru landline 2231 5678:
From US/Canada mobile: +266 2231 5678
From US/Canada landline: 011-266-2231-5678
From South Africa: 00-266-2231-5678
Common mistakes to avoid
Dialing +27 instead of +266
Because Lesotho is surrounded by South Africa, people sometimes dial +27 (South Africa) by mistake. If someone is physically in Lesotho with a Lesotho phone number, you need +266. Many Basotho also carry South African SIM cards, so ask which number they want you to call.
Confusing +266 with +267
+266 is Lesotho and +267 is Botswana. The codes differ by just one digit. Double-check before dialing, especially if you're saving the number in your contacts for the first time.
Adding a trunk prefix
Lesotho has no trunk prefix. Do not add a leading 0 before the 8-digit number. If someone gives you the number 5812 3456, dial +266 5812 3456 exactly. Adding a zero (+266 0 5812 3456) will result in a wrong number or failed call.
Prefer calling over WiFi? See our guide to the best apps for WiFi calling.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
What country uses the +266 code?
+266 is the country code for Lesotho, a small mountainous kingdom completely surrounded by South Africa. Do not confuse it with +267 (Botswana) or +27 (South Africa).
How many digits are Lesotho phone numbers?
Lesotho phone numbers are 8 digits after the +266 country code, for both mobile and landline numbers. There is no trunk prefix.
Is Lesotho part of South Africa?
No. Lesotho is an independent country with its own government, currency (the Loti), and phone system (+266). It is geographically surrounded by South Africa but is a separate sovereign state. You cannot reach a Lesotho number by dialing +27.
What language do they speak in Lesotho?
Sesotho (Southern Sotho) and English are both official languages. Sesotho is the everyday spoken language, while English is used in business and government. Most educated Basotho speak both.
Why does my call to Lesotho keep dropping?
If you're calling someone in the mountainous eastern highlands, coverage is patchy. The person may be moving in and out of signal range. Try calling again, or ask them to move to a spot with better reception. Calls to Maseru and the lowlands are more reliable.
For more southern African dialing guides, see our articles on South Africa (+27), Eswatini (+268), and Botswana (+267). Browse all guides on our country codes hub.