Directions to Motebong Lodge

Ha Lejone Village / Katse Dam | Lesotho

GPS Co-ordinates: 29°06’09.44”S  28°30’10.09” E

Motebong Lodge can be reached by ordinary vehicle from anywhere in South Africa, except for those who want to use the Sani Pass from KZN, in which case they will require a 4×4 vehicle.

From Gauteng/Limpopo/Mpumalanga  (new direction) – Follow the N3 to Villiers, off-ramp onto the R26 to Bethlehem  (Then stay with the current directions from Bethlehem).

From KZN: Follow the N3 to Harrismith then off Ramp onto the N5 to Bethlehem.

From Bettlehem: Follow the R26 to Fourisburg – miss the first turn into Fourisburg, take the second turn left for 1km and then right for Caledonspoort border post through to Butha Buthe.

At Butha Buthe turn right to Hlotse (30Km) and left for Ha Lejone (71Km) 

FROM HLOTSE: Follow the sign for Ha Lejone and Katse Dam – Ha Lejone is 71km from Hlotse. (consider topping-up fuel as supply is unreliable in the highlands).

FROM EASTERN CAPE: Take the N6 north and turn onto the R26 at Rouxville to Ladybrand.

FROM: NC/WC/Northern Free State: Follow the N8 towards Maseru until it becomes R26 to Ladybrand.

From Ladybrand: follow R26 to Ficksburg then through Mapotsoe border post. Turn left at T-junction (4km) to Hlotse (12Km).

At Hlotse turn right for Ha Lejone (71km). (consider topping-up fuel as supply is unreliable in the highlands).

 Alternative route (less congested border post but 6km gravel from the R26 to the Lesotho border): About 15km past Clocolan (ignore Peka bridge sign at Clocolan) towards Ficksburg, turn right for Peka bridge border post.

Fuel:

From the Free state side, Fuel is available at Botha Bothe just after the Caledonspoort border post, at Hlotse and the last at Mahobong village along the Nelson Mandel road about 15km from Hlotse.
From the Sani Pass side fuel is available in Mokhotlong, about 50km from the border post.

Selected Travelling distances and times

• Bethlehem to Motebong Lodge 170 kms; Driving time approximately: 3hrs

• Caledonspoort border post to motebong lodge 110 kms; Driving time approximately: 2hrs

• Hlotse to motebong lodge 72kms; Driving time approximately: 1hr 30mins

• Police control post (below the Mafika a Lisiu pass) to motebong lodge 27km; Driving time approximately: 45mins. It is 10.5kms to the top of the pass from this point

• Bokong Visitors centre to motebong lodge 14km; Driving time approximately: 20mins.

• Maseru to motebong lodge 170 kms; Driving time approximately: 3.5hrs.

• Johannesburg (via Bethlehem) to motebong lodge 460 kms; Driving time approximately: 5.5hrs

Travel from Sani Pass

From Sani Pass drive to Mokhotlong, there join the A1 to Botha Bothe and Maseru. Travel for about 36km to the village of Mapholaneng. At Mapholaneng turn left onto the new tarred road to the new Polihali dam construction site and onto Ha Seshote some 63km away. At Ha Seshote turn right towards Ha Lejone 30km away.

Travel Tips

• The Lesotho customs laws prohibit the importation of eggs and all forms of alcohol regardless of quantity.

• Have your traffic triangle handy for inspection by traffic authorities.

• If you come across a Police check point, please stop next to the Police stop sign and don’t move until you are flagged on.

• SA Rands are accepted at all shops as tender.

• 50pp diesel and 93 Octane petrol is available in all bigger centres. Do fill-up whenever you travel to remote areas or to the highlands. Most fuel station in the towns accept bank cards.

• At Motebong lodge we prefer our accounts settled by bank card and not cash!