Food and Drink

Destination in Lesotho was the Katse Dam. Construction started in the '70's and was completed in 1998. The dam supplies water to South Africa and electricity to Lesotho. Approx 168 families were affected. They were moved at the cost of the SA Government to other land - similar in size, houses were built for them, peach trees planted (virtually every hut in Lesotho has peach trees) and assistance for 3 years. Graves were moved as well.
On Saturdays and Sundays the dam wall is open from 9 to 11.00 am. In the week is it until 4.00 p.m. From the Ficksburg (SA) border it is approx 140km - but it will take approx 3 -4 hours to get to the dam - but only about 2 hours to get back. It is high in the Maluti Mountains and there are numerous passes to travel. It is a tarred road (also built by SA). Take your own food and drinks if it is a day trip, as there are no shops or guesthouses along the way. At the Katse dam there is a lodge where you can stay overnight and have refreshments.
This is Africa. On the tarred road you will find donkeys, mules, donkey carts, sheep, goats and cattle. Men in Basutho blankets and gum boots, piccanins with gum boots, shirts and no short waving and asking for a sweet, friendly ladies waving but alas - also the ever present minibus taxi - totally disregarding any rules and regulations!
The Mafika Lisiu Pass (the highest in Africa) is on this road. On the way back, from Ficksburg travel to Fouriesburg and then to Clarens in SA. Beautiful town with more art galleries than any other town in SA, About 10 km out of town towards Bethlehem, you will find the Ash River Fallout. Water from Katse Dam is pumped through tunnels into the Ash River on its way to the Vaal Dam. Worth Seeing.