Katse Dam

A high arch dam and mountain reservoir deep in Lesotho's highlands, reached by the A8 mountain road over a 3,090-meter pass, with Bokong Nature Reserve and Lepaqua Falls along the way.

Katse Dam lies deep in the Maloti Mountains of Thaba-Tseka District in north-central Lesotho, at an elevation of about 2,000 meters. It is the centerpiece of Phase 1 of the Lesotho Highlands Water Project. A 185-meter double-curvature arch dam blocks the Malibamat'so River, forming the winding Katse Reservoir that reaches into the mountains. Water is then carried through tunnels to Gauteng Province in South Africa, while the project also generates hydroelectricity for Lesotho. There are no towns here, only the project village of Katse, a few lodges and scattered Basotho villages. Visitors come mainly for the dam itself and for the highland mountain roads along the way.

The classic route runs from the lowland town of Pitseng along the A8 road and over the 3,090-meter Mafika-Lisiu Pass. On the way, you can see Lepaqua Falls and highland wetlands in Bokong Nature Reserve, then cross the Harelejoane Bridge over the northern end of the reservoir and finally reach the dam. At the dam, join the guided tour from the visitor centre and visit the Katse Botanical Garden. The route can also be linked into a loop going south through Thaba-Tseka and Mohale Dam, back to Maseru.

Best season: October to April, when the highlands are mild and green, though afternoon thunderstorms are common. May to September is cold and dry. The passes may be snowbound and icy, and Lepaqua Falls freezes into ice pillars.

Getting there: From Maseru it takes about 4 hours by car (about 230 kilometers). The mountain roads are steep and winding, so use a high-clearance vehicle and drive in daylight, as petrol stations are rare along the way. Public minibuses run, but their schedules are irregular. Plan one night; Katse Lodge near the dam is the main place to stay.

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