Muela Hydro Power Station Tour

This tour takes us to ‘Muela, the hydropower station which is one of the projects of Lesotho Highlands projects. where we will make a stop at Liphofung caves, to see the caves that were originally used by The San and other Stone Age people, the walls contain important rock art and a rich archaeological deposit of Stone Age implements occurs on the floor. After exploring ‘Muela, we make a U-turn to Maseru overnight.

The Lesotho Highlands Water Project (LHWP) is a multi-phased, multi-billion Maloti/Rand project between the governments of the Kingdom of Lesotho and the Republic of South Africa. It comprises water transfer and hydropower generation components with associated ancillary developments. The water transfer component entails the construction of dams and tunnels in Lesotho, enhancing the use of water from the Senqu (Orange) River and its tributaries by storing, regulating, diverting, and controlling the flow to effect the delivery of specified quantities of water to South Africa, and utilizing the delivery system to generate hydro-electric power in Lesotho.

The major works of Phase I included the construction of the Katse Dam, the transfer and delivery tunnels, Matsoku Weir, ‘Muela Hydropower Plant, and the Mohale Dam. The Phase II water transfer component comprises a dam at Polihali and a gravity tunnel that will connect the reservoir at Polihali with the Katse reservoir.

Further feasibility studies for the hydropower component of Phase II have concluded that conventional hydropower is the more feasible option to meet Lesotho’s energy needs. The Government of Lesotho has approved the Oxbow site for Phase II hydropower component. The procurement of a service provider for the Detailed Design and Supervision of the Hydropower Scheme has started.

The Lesotho Highlands Development Authority (LHDA) is the implementing and management authority of the Lesotho Highlands Water Project, on behalf of the government of Lesotho.

Highlights of the Tour:

Liphofung rock paintings and cave

Dam information

Dam Tour

Inclusive in the Tour:

Transport

Tour Guide

Lunch

Entrance Fees

Exclusive in the Tour:

Items of personal use

Hotel expenses

Breakfast & Dinner

** A minimum of 2 people for the tour to take place