The Sani Pass (2874m) is the only vehicle route over the Drakensberg escarpment and into the mountain Kingdom of Lesotho. It is a spectacular 4x4 track twisting and snaking its way through the rocky cliffs to the top of the world. Before the 1950's, it was a trail for pack animals to carry goods through to the isolated town of Mokhotlong in Eastern Lesotho. Now, the road carries 4x4 vehicles, though the odd donkey and horse can still be seen plodding slowly up the steep route. Crossing the border at the top of the pass, one enters not only another country, but another world. Our popular day tour gives an all-round experience of Lesotho via the famous Sani Pass. This 4x4 former mule track cutting through the Drakensberg cliffs with a gradient of 1:5 on the 180degree switchback bends. Hear tales of the pioneering of the route and see wildflowers, wildlife and birds inhabiting the sheer slopes. Crossing into Lesotho, we visit a household in a small shepherd’s village and respectfully engage with the Basotho people to learn about their remarkable lives at this altitude. We enjoy a traditional lunch, followed by a visit to the shearing shed to view sheep and angora goat shearing (by hand) in season. We then ascend Black Mountain Pass (3240m), second highest road pass in Lesotho with 360-degree panoramic views where it is likely we will meet shepherds dressed traditionally in blankets. These fascinating people spend the summer months in the highlands tending flocks of sheep and goats. Take a walk to a viewpoint where on a clear day, one can see Thabana Ntlenyana, the highest point in Southern Africa at 3482m before returning via a pitstop for a drink at the highest pub in Africa. What makes Us Different: Guides: Our experienced guides are all knowledgeable and passionate about the Sani Pass and Lesotho. Vehicles: We use mainly 9 seater closed in Landrovers. This is the vehicle which pioneered the Sani Pass. The emphasis is on adventures and experiences on not on comfort. Pricing is numbers dependent, with cheaper prices once the group size on the tour is 3 or more. It makes sense for individuals to join existing tours if possible. Community Tourism: Experience responsible tourism in action! Your tour price includes a contribution to the Sani Top Basotho community. Our ground-breaking approach to grass-roots tourism means that your tour price directly benefits a wide segment of the local community, preserving cultural dignity and ensuring Fair remuneration for services rendered. “Sani Lodge is the Silver Award Winner of African Responsible Tourism Award for Poverty Reduction 2018. Drakensberg Adventures has made a major contribution to local livelihoods and poverty reduction over many years. By involving Basotho stakeholders, they have created opportunities for communities to proudly showcase their unique cultural practices, engaging with guests in an authentic manner, thereby earning their respect. They are the future of tourism in Africa". ~ Judges

Itinerary Day 1: Depart at 08:00 from Durban and head to the aptly named town of Underberg under the Drakensberg mountains. In our guided 4wd vehicle in Underberg we proceed into Lesotho Via Sani Pass The Sani Pass climbs from 1500m to 2874m ASL. The famous switchbacks overlooking the South African valleys are spectacular. Go on a hike of the escarpment overlooking the Sani Pass or pony trek along the cliffs. Day 2: Climb further to the top of Black Mountain Pass at 3240m ASL. The remote villages of the Sani Top and Mokhotlong areas are some of the most remote villages in Lesotho. Get an inside look at the people living in this tough environment with a visit to a village. Picnic lunch is over a beautiful vista of the Senqu river, which becomes the Orange river in South Africa. An important river for several Southern African countries makes the perfect lunch stop. The route from Sani Top to Thaba Bosiu is often called the Roof of Africa route, we have already conquered the Sani Pass as well as Black Mountain Pass. After lunch we tackle Taeeng pass at 3225m and Motebong pass at 2820m. Along the way you will see Letseng Diamond mine–the world’s highest diamond mine and Afriski Moutain Resort and countless villages and other picturesque scenes. We will head to our overnight accommodation in Hlotse. Check-in at Bird Haven at approx. 18:00. Day 3: Breakfast at 07:00, departure at approx. 08:00-30. We backtrack slightly to visit a riverbed close to our overnight accommodation, where there is evidence of prehistoric life forms. If the river is in flood these ancient footprints are hidden to the world but usually the water levels are low enough for us to look at the Dinosaur Footprints We now leave the main road to Maseru and travel to the Kome Caves, home to modern cave-dwellers, these caves were originally inhabited by clans escaping the Lifqane wars and cannibalism. We make our way to Thaba Bosiu along the back roads which go through many rural villages. Thaba Bosiu is a cultural centre of utmost importance to Lesotho and its history. From Thaba Bosiu we drive into the capital city Maseru for lunch at approx. 13:00, this gives one a good understanding of modern-day city life in Lesotho and its mix with Lesotho’s strong culture. By 15:00, We head back into the highlands of Lesotho going through the Mantsa Pass to highland town of Semonkong. Check-in at Semonkong at approx. 17:30 Day 4: Breakfast at 7:30am Hike/4wd Drive to the Maletsunyane Falls Depart the Lesotho highlands via passes that enter South Africa at Qacha’s Nek. We snake our way through the last remote villages of Lesotho. We cross the Senqu river again–which we first saw on day 1 and then follow it along the Senqu river valleys toward the border town of Qachas Nek. Once back in South Africa we are normally in Matatiele around 13:00 for lunch. From Matatiele we skirt alongside the Drakensberg mountains and return to Underberg along scenic back roads, returning usually around 15:00-16:00

This memorable day combines a Landrover trip up the famous Sani Pass, reputed to be the most remarkable as well as challenging mountain pass in South Africa and into Lesotho, with a moderate hike (6km each way with a 400m altitude gain) to the summit of Hodgson's Peaks - the highest peak in this section of the Drakensberg mountain range. The overall altitude gain from Sani Lodge is 1700 metres. Hike across grassy alpine plains sprinkled with delicate flowers, interact with the local shepherds and their flocks of sheep and goats, see their unique stone 'Motebo' dwellings then ascend to 3256m and an unparalleled 360 degree view from the summit of Hodgson's Peaks. Stunning views down into South Africa and the deep incised valleys of the Drakensberg Park, the high peaks of the escarpment stretching north to Giants Castle and south to Bushman's Nek and the soaring Maloti Mountains of Lesotho as far as the eye can see to the west. What Makes Us Different: Guides: Our experienced guides are all knowledgeable and passionate about the Sani Pass and Lesotho. Vehicles: We use mainly 9 seater closed in Landrovers. This is the vehicle which pioneered the Sani Pass. The emphasis is on adventures and experiences on not on comfort. Pricing is numbers dependent, with cheaper prices once the group size on the tour is 3 or more. It makes sense for individuals to join existing tours if possible. Contact us to see when tours have been booked and if you could join an existing group to bring the price down. Community Tourism: Experience responsible tourism in action! Your tour price includes a contribution to the Sani Top Basotho community. Our ground-breaking approach to grass-roots tourism means that your tour price directly benefits a wide segment of the local community, preserving cultural dignity and ensuring Fair remuneration for services rendered. “Sani Lodge is the Silver Award Winner of African Responsible Tourism Award for Poverty Reduction 2018. Sani Lodge and Drakensberg Adventures in the Drakensberg Mountains of South Africa has made a major contribution to local livelihoods and poverty reduction over many years. By involving Basotho stakeholders, they have created opportunities for communities to proudly showcase their unique cultural practices, engaging with guests in an authentic manner, thereby earning their respect. They are the future of tourism in Africa". ~ Judges