Hlotse — Major Bell’s Tower and Fort

The town of Hlotse, as its inhabitants know it, is commonly called Leribe.

Hlotse is close to the Maputsoe (Ficksburg Bridge) border post, and on the main road through to Caledonspoort. In springtime, this is a wonderful route to see the blossom in the fields against a backdrop of spectacular views of the Maluti Mountains.

The fortifications of Major Bell’s Tower were built by the British at the end of the 1870s and were besieged, but not captured, during the Gun War of 1880 — 81. The Tower is still largely intact. Visitors can see an interesting primitive statue of a European in front of a nearby local administration office. This is a must-see attraction for tourists interested in the history of Southern Africa and the various wars.

King Moshoeshoe I was born nearby in the village of Menkhoaneng in the foothills of the Leribe district. The Leribe Craft Centre, a good craft shop, is at the entrance to Hlotse.

From Hlotse - a new tar road heads east into the mountains to Katse Dam which is just over an hour's drive.