Katse, a malaria free area, is one of Lesotho’s popular tourist destinations. It was named after a wealthy man called Katse who used to have a lot of livestock and provided agricultural produce to the local communities. The area is now a home to the second highest Dam Wall in Africa, Katse Dam. The gracious Katse Village, developed in the early 1990s is situated in this area and provides a beautiful view of the Katse reservoir as well as the country’s rugged mountain scenery.
Situated at 2,000 metres above seal level, Katse Dam is described as “a striking piece of modern engineering”. The Dam is one of less than 30 double curvature concrete arch dams in the world; one of the world’s 10 largest concrete arch dams in terms of its volume; and the second highest dam in Africa. The Dam has since its construction in 1991 been attracting thousands of thousands who come to see this engineering marvel.
Katse Village is located at a strategic point in terms of those tourists who plan tour packages that take them to other tourist destinations in Lesotho. For instance, the area provides a tour linkage for self-drive tourists heading to places such as the Afri-Ski Resort at Mahlasela in the Oxbow area or Sani Pass, providing an opportunity for tourists to gain further exciting experiences.
Katse Lodge lies inside the Katse Village and provides accommodation to people. Reasonably priced chalets and self-catering cottages with television access are also available to offer an excellent accommodation alternative to tourists.
(+266) 22910202
Daily presentations on the overview, benefits and impacts of the Lesotho Highlands Water Project and tours to the Katse Dam Wall are scheduled as follows:
Pony Trekking has become of the popular tourists attractions in Lesotho and is one of the alternative ways to experience Lesotho’s spectacular scenic mountain terrain on horseback. It also provides opportunity for visitors to see the traditional lifestyle of the Basotho People. Sure-footed ponies are available at Katse to provide a highly convenient transport. Service is available by prior arrangement.
Mohale Dam is constructed at the confluence of Senqunyane and Likalaneng rivers. The dam allows for abstraction and diversion of waters of Senqunyane river through a 32 km interconnecting tunnel from Mohale reservoir to Katse on the Bokong arm. Water can be drawn from Katse to Mohale dam .
A presentation that provides you with information about the Lesotho Highlands Water project progress; A guided tour of the Mohale dam, drive on top of the wall and end on the intake compensation control house to view the scenic beauty of the area. Drive down the downstream site of the wall for a wonderful spillage of compensation water in the Senqunyane valley.
The hydropower plant at ‘Muela was constructed as part of Phase 1A of the Lesotho Highlands Water Project. The major benefit now delivered from ‘Muela Hydropower Project is that Lesotho generates electricity
‘Muela Hydropower Station is located in the North of Lesotho in the Butha-Buthe District. It is fed by Katse reservoir via a 45km-long concrete lined transfer tunnel with a diameter of 4.35m. The Hydropower Station generates electricity for Lesotho.
The underground power house cavern is 60m x 1.30m x 15m . 3 turbine generators rated at 24 MW each. Cavern accommodates 3 transformers. Access is through a vertical lift shaft from the surface. Operation Building houses the control room to monitor and operate the ‘Muela Hydropower Station and the LHWP. The building also houses operation of maintenance staff offices and workshops For generation of power, water passes through the hydraulic turbines as the prime mover for the generators. Water is then discharged through the draft tubes and concrete lined connection tunnels into a 40m high downstream surge chamber and through 1.7km long tailrace tunnel into ‘Muela Reservoir. Water is conveyed by delivery tunnels via ‘Muela Intake Structure to the tunnel out-let at Ash River in South Africa. Finally water lands to the Vaal Dam.
A visit to the centre offers visitors a presentation, a tour of the operations building to the mimic board displaying generation and delivery of water to RSA, the under ground power house and ‘Muela tail pond.
‘Muela Visitors Centre is situated below the Operations Building of ‘Muela Hydropower Station. The centre is about 30 km from Butha-Buthe and 35km from Caledonspoort border post. Off the main road to Oxbow and Afriski, the centre is 6km.
‘Muela Information Centre
P.O. Box 7332
Maseru 100
Tel: +266 22481211/221
Fax: +266 22481001
Katse Botanical Garden (KBG), situated in the Katse Village, occupies an area of 17 hectares. It evolved from the LHWP Treaty requirement that commits LHDA to safeguard the environment. The Garden provides a unique natural and semi –natural setting to expose the floristic beauty and heritage of the indigenous plants of Lesotho to the wider audience. It has rich diversity of birds, medicinal, ornamental as well as utility plants. Activities in the Garden Plant and seed Collections Community awareness and out reach Plant propagation/multiplication Research Extend your stay at Katse Village and visit Katse Botanical Garden. Home to indigenous plants extracted during the construction of Katse Dam. The plants, flowers and trees are exclusively grown in Lesotho.
Tel (+266) 22910 315
Fax (+266) 22910002