Katse Botanical Garden
A botanic garden established to rescue highland plants from the reservoir's flood zone, with Lesotho's endemic spiral aloe among its collection.
The botanic garden was built around the time the reservoir was filled. It was originally set up to transplant rare plants from the valley about to be flooded, and it is now one of Lesotho's most important conservation sites for highland plants. Trails wind up the hillside past the national flower of Lesotho, the spiral aloe (Aloe polyphylla), alpine wildflowers, medicinal plants and native shrubs. There is a small nursery and information boards. It is a small site, and a stroll takes about an hour; entry is very cheap. The garden is in Katse village, about 2 km west of the dam, and can be combined with the dam visitor centre on the same day. Flowers are best from November to February, while in winter the vegetation is dry and brown.
Opening hours
About 08:00–16:30