Lesotho

Transportation

2010-12-25T01:57:34Z

If you are driving your own vehicle, a 4x4 is highly recommended. In the winter it is common for ice to build up on the gravel road making the drive more difficult. The border post is open 8am-4pm.

Sani Top Chalet

2010-12-25T01:54:10Z

Sani Top Chalet is one of the finer spots to stop and enjoy a beverage while overlooking the mountain descent into South Africa. Accommodation is available in a backpacker lodge or in a number of luxury en suite rondavels with fireplaces. Meals can be prepared with advance notice, although there are self-catering facilities as well. In the winter, the temperature is well below freezing so make sure to be prepared. Electricity is generator-powered and is usually on for only a few hours a night.

]]> (S 29 35.073 E 029 17.291, +27-33-702-1069 or +27-76-386-7021, www.sanitopchalet.co.za, camping M80/person, s M150, d M300, rondavels: s M650, d M1,000)

Sights & Activities

2010-12-25T01:49:46Z

There are a number of hiking trails that depart from the Sani Top area including a trail to southern Africa's highest peak - Thabana-Ntlenyana at 3,482 meters. Guides for serious ascents such as this or for easier day hikes can be arranged through Sani Top Chalet. They can also arrange horses with advanced notice if you would prefer to ride the trails instead of hike.

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Transportation

2010-12-25T01:16:17Z

Minibus Taxi Rank has transport to Maseru, Buta-Buthe and Sani Top. To get to Molumong Guesthouse or St James Lodge, there are taxis heading south.

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St James Lodge

2010-12-25T01:04:51Z

St James Lodge is affiliated with the St James Mission and has clean attractive en suite rooms in the recently renovated main lodge. There is also a self-catering kitchen and two separate rondavels but no electricity. It is located 12 km south of Mokhotlong just off the dirt A3 road that heads to Thaba-Tseka. Look for the buildings right beside the road with the red tin roofs.

]]> (S 29 20.792 E 029 01.190, +27-33-326-1601 or +27-71-672-6801, camping M65/person, s M125-175, d M250-350)

Molumong Lodge

2010-12-25T00:44:28Z

Molumong Lodge is a former trading post, and although located slightly out of town, it's one of the better accommodation options in the area. The lodge is perched atop the mountain with scenic views, and there is a main lodge as well as a separate backpackers building with a self-catering kitchen. There is a gas stove and gas-heated showers but no electricity. The lodge offers pony trekking (M280/day) around the area, overnight trips to neighboring villages and guided hiking, and can also reserve tubes for floating down the river. It is located 15 km south of Mokhotlong just off the dirt A3 road that heads to Thaba-Tseka.

]]> (S 29 21.439 E 029 00.379, +27-33-394-3072, www.molumong.net, camping M60/person, dm M110, s/d M250)

Transportation

2010-12-25T00:38:26Z

Minibus Taxis have daily transport to Leribe, and there is a daily bus service to Maseru. For those traveling in their own vehicles, it is worth noting that while the road is paved there are some incredibly steep switchbacks over the passes and it's not safe to drive this route in a less than roadworthy vehicle.

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Orion Katse Lodge

2010-12-25T00:33:59Z

Orion Katse Lodge is a 40-room stone lodge at the edge of town with beautiful views overlooking the Katse Dam. This former workers' housing was taken over by the Orion Hotel chain and converted into a pleasant mid-range hotel with spacious rooms. There are also individual guest cottages nearby (M700-1,100). The hotel has a decent restaurant and bar and can organize fishing, boating and pony treks through the surrounding area.

]]> (S 29 19.842 E 028 28.873, 2291-0202, www.oriongroup.co.za/katse-overview.html, s M600, d M1,000, individual guest cottages M700-1,100, breakfast included)

Camping

2010-12-25T00:30:35Z

Camping is available in a flat field beside the visitor information center. The setting is basic, with an ablutions facility but not much else.

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Katse Botanical Garden

2010-12-25T00:09:16Z

Katse Botanical Garden was established as an area to relocate and protect the endangered spiral aloes that would have been destroyed as a result of the Katse Dam. The garden is now home to numerous endangered and medicinal plants from the area, some of which are available for purchase.

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Visitor Information Center

2010-12-25T00:06:17Z

One-hour tours are available from the Visitor Information Center and cover the history of the project and provide an inside look within the dam wall at 9am and 2pm on Weekdays and at 9am and 11am on weekends. It is located on the main road about 600 m to the east of the road that leads to the dam.

]]> (S 29 20.648 E 028 30.399, 2291-0377, 8am-12pm & 1pm-4pm Mon-Fri, 9am-12pm Sat-Sun, tours M10)

Katse Dam

2010-12-25T00:02:59Z

Katse Dam is a massive work of engineering. At 185 meters tall it is Africa's largest dam, holding back about 2 billion cubic meters of water. It is the first in a series of dams built as part of the Lesotho Highlands Water Project, which will route fresh water into neighboring South Africa in exchange for tens of millions of dollars each year. The water from the Katse Dam flows 45 kilometers north in an underground tunnel to the Muela hydroelectric power station, and generates electricity for the entire country of Lesotho, before flowing across the border into South Africa.

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Transportation

2010-12-25T00:00:04Z

Minibus Taxis pass by the visitor information center on their way between Leribe and Katse. Getting a ride to the park is convenient, although it can take a while to find a passing minibus with open seats on your way back.

For those traveling in their own vehicles, it is worth noting that while the road is paved there are some incredibly steep switchbacks over the passes.

Sleeping

2010-12-24T23:56:24Z

Accommodation is located above the waterfall in two basic rondavels that have a small self-catering kitchen and gas stove. Camping is also permitted at the site and throughout the reserve, although nights can be quite cold at this elevation. When we visited, five beautiful, large chalets located right next to the visitor center atop the mountain cliff were in the process of being built, with no estimated date of completion.

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Sights & Activities

2010-12-24T23:52:55Z

Hiking is the main activity within the reserve, and there are a number of trails starting from the visitor information center that range from one hour to full day treks. There is also 2-3 day, 40 km hike over mountain passes to the Ts'ehlanyane National Park. Local guides are recommended for all hikes. Pony trekking can also be arranged with advance notice.

]]> (local guides M20/person/day, pony trekking M150/day)