Mafika-Lisiu Pass
The A8 road crosses the Maloti Mountains at a high mountain pass around 3,090 m, one of the highest paved passes in Africa.
Mafika-Lisiu Pass is the pass you must cross to reach Katse Dam from the lowlands. At about 3,090 m, the A8 asphalt road climbs through a series of hairpin bends. From the top you can look out over the layered Maloti Mountains and the Basotho villages below, and local herders are often seen wrapped in blankets, tending sheep on horseback. There is a signpost and parking spot at the summit, the classic photo stop on the self-drive route. The mountain road is steep and winding with many heavy trucks, so use low gear on descents. In winter it may ice over, so check road conditions before setting out. From Pitseng it takes about an hour to climb to the pass, and the Bokong Nature Reserve is not far beyond it.
Opening hours
All day