Lesotho

Depart Underberg in the morning and take in stunning views of the KwaZulu-Natal landscape as you make your way along the Sani Pass mountain road that connects to Mokhotlong in Lesotho. Stop to get breathtaking views from different locations, and at the South African Border Control and Lesotho Border Control posts. Climb to an altitude of 2,874 meters above sea level to enjoy lunch at the Sani Mountain Lodge – the highest pub in Africa. Continue to a village of the ethnic Basotho people and learn about Lesotho and its people from your experienced mountain guide. Try some traditional beer and homemade bread before you brave the drive back down the Sani Pass. Look for wildlife along the road before you arrive back in Underberg in the afternoon.

Immerse yourself in Lesotho's culture and nature on a 4WD trip from Underberg. Explore the Sani Pass and enter the Mountain Kingdom of Lesotho, experiencing real Basotho life. Enjoy a picnic lunch in nature and choose between a pony trek in the foothills of the mountains or a cultural experience with a homestead visit. Head out of Underberg in your 4WD, travelling beyond the Sani Pass and heading into the Mountain Kingdom of Lesotho, called Makhotlong. Here, experience real Basotho life as you pass by populated villages. Summit some of the highest peaks south of Kilimanjaro in the comfort of your car. Drive through Black Mountain pass – an incredible sight sitting at 3,240 meters above sea level – it often sees snow in winter and sometimes even in summer. As you descend into the valleys below, start to see the remote villages around Mokhotlong. Stop for a picnic lunch of sandwiches, fruit, cocktail snacks, and warm drinks, including tea and coffee as you take in the surrounding mountain views. Then, choose between a pony trek in the foothills near Mokhotlong with your local guide who knows all about rural life in these mountains or an immersive culture experience, including a short hike into the heart of a local homestead to meet locals and see how they live. Finally, head back to Underberg in your 4WD.

From the bustling City of Durban, Tour to Lesotho – “Kingdom in the Sky” The Sani Pass tour into Lesotho from Durban gives you the opportunity to experience an adventure of a lifetime – a comfortable and exciting journey up this famous pass. Starting off in Durban, our tour heads up through the KwaZulu-Natal midlands, to the picturesque town of Underberg, where the real adventure begins. Our luxury Sani Pass tour snakes up the mountain and takes you through a scenic valley along a crystal clear river, making for a breath-taking experience. Your personal Tour Guide will fill you in on all you can learn about the history of the pass and the surrounding area. Feast your eyes on the natural landscape that is dotted with many species of wildflowers, creating splashes of vibrant colors. The road itself is rough which is why only 4×4 vehicles are allowed to traverse it, but because of this and the hairpin bends, you are in for a fun and heart-racing trip. Once you reach the top your senses will be filled beyond your wildest dreams – breathe in the fresh mountain air, drink in the sweeping vistas that are nothing short of majestic, and enjoy this unique African experience in Lesotho – ‘Kingdom of the Sky’.

It’s the perfect mix of nature, culture and history; enjoy Lesotho’s natural flora and fauna, driving past Lesotho’s highest peak, dive into the culture of the Basotho people in this historical trading post and take a peek into history by getting to see the beautiful old buildings that pack lots of history into this small village. Lesotho is the only country in the world that is in its entirety above 1000m in elevation, making this an experience that you cannot enjoy anywhere else in the world! This tour ticks all these boxes – nature, culture and history – all in Lesotho, all in one day. 6.30 AM We pick you up from your accommodation in Durban. 2 9.00 AM We arrive in Undeberg, grab a coffee and head up into Lesotho for the day. 3 9.00 AM We head up to the highest pass in South Africa, Sani Pass. We travel through Himeville to the World Heritage Site of the uKhahlamba Drakensberg Park, following the Mkomazana River up the scenic Sani Valley to the South African Border Post (border formalities) and the Lesotho Border. 4 10.30 AM After the Lesotho border formalities at the top of Sani Pass, we climb even further into the Lesotho highlands, all the way to the top of the Black Mountain pass. 5 11.00 PM At the top of Black Mountain Pass we get a chance to leave our vehicle, climb a short distance to a beautiful viewpoint of Thabana Ntlenyana. 6 12.30 PM We arrive in the town of Mokhotlong and enjoy lunch together 7 1.00 PM We visit a cultural Basotho village OR go horse-rinding into the Lesotho Highlands 8 2.00 PM We make our back to Sani Pass. 9 5 PM We watch the sun go down on the top of Black Mountain Pass before making our way to overnight accommodation DAY 2 1 8.00 AM After a hearty breakfast, we join up with you again for day two’s activities. 2 8.30 AM Choose between a visit to a cultural village, a hike at the top of Sani Pass or Come back down the pass to explore the villages of Underberg and Himeville and its museum. 3 12:15 PM We arrive back in Underberg, in time for lunch, if you aren’t in a hurry we’ll choose the best spot in Underberg to have lunch together. 4 13:15 PM Head back to Durban.

Full Day Scenery Tour to Maletsunyane Falls Tour starts in Maseru, traveling to the highlands of the Mountain Kingdom of Lesotho. The views are unique in each direction along the same route. Brief history of Roma Valley is related when traveling through this place with a rich history. Attempt the trivia question relating to certain mountain along the way. On arrival, hike closer to the waterfall - according to Guinness Book of World Records, it is the highest direct drop in Southern Africa at 192 m. Lunch at a local restaurant. Return to Maseru via Thaba-Bosiu the National Monument with the cultural village and the stronghold that kept sovereignty of the country and the iconic Qiloane mountain. Finally, drop off at the hotel. End of Service.

A Private tour at group rates! Your guide will meet you in a luxury 4x4 then head up the iconic Sani Pass over the most spectacular scenery in South Africa. During the climb through the gravel switchbacks stop for tea and home-baked goodies. Go through the border and head over Black Mountain Pass the highest point in Lesotho. Interact with locals as they go about their daily lives and meet the traditional healer. Dance with the locals and learn their culture. Lunch in a tiny stone hut on sumptuous traditional food cooked over a wood fire. Enjoy the thrill of the steep track as you head back down the Pass. Collect your certificates and gifts before you head home with once in a lifetime memories.

Depart at 06h00 from your address in Durban in a private luxury vehicle with guide. On arrival in Underberg transfer to a modern up-market 4x4 with private guide. ONLY YOURSELVES AND THE GUIDE IN THE VEHICLE. Head towards the border post where you guide will see you safely through. Traverse the breathtaking Sani Pass stopping frequently for photo opportunities and tea/coffee juice and home-baked snacks at a viewpoint. Water is available in the vehicle at all times. We arrive at the top of the Sani Pass by mid-morning and make our way across the border control and into Lesotho for a morning of private & unique cultural experiences showcasing authentic Basotho culture. See a small village Taste local bread. Listen to a blanket presentation. All visits are in genuine homes in which people live permanently and nothing is staged for show. We return down the dramatic steep switchbacks of the Sani Pass to your chauffeur waiting patiently to return you to your destination. Receive certificates, gifts and memories to last a lifetime. We are the only guaranteed private tour from Durban.

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 tour departs from Underberg / Himeville, from where we take you up Sani Pass and further on into a village in the Mountain Kingdom, called Mokhotlong, allowing you to explore more of Lesotho’s Highlands! After lunch you get to choose between a tour of a cultural village or explore the rugged terrain the best way possible – on horseback! In the late afternoon we make our back towards Sani Top, where we spend the night atop the Roof of Africa. The next morning you will meet your guide after a hearty breakfast to choose your activity for the morning – hiking, horse riding or immerse yourself in more of the areas culture and history and your personal guide shows you around. Enjoy a hearty lunch at the top in the Highest Pub in Africa before heading back down the pass. This 2 day and 1 night tour of Lesotho from Underberg is great value for money as it includes all tours and activities as well accommodation and meals. The only thing you have to pay for is your drinks. Its not just a Sani Pass tour, rather an immersive full day trip into the heart of Lesotho and then back to best accommodation available on Sani Top, Lesotho. Day 1 8.00 AM We meet in Underberg 3 9.00 AM We head up to the highest pass in South Africa, Sani Pass. We travel through Himeville to the World Heritage Site of the uKhahlamba Drakensberg Park, following the Mkomazana River up the scenic Sani Valley to the South African Border Post (border formalities) and the Lesotho Border. 4 10.30 AM After the Lesotho border formalities at the top of Sani Pass, we climb even further into the Lesotho highlands, all the way to the top of the Black Mountain pass. 5 11.00 PM At the top of Black Mountain Pass we get a chance to leave our vehicle, climb a short distance to a beautiful viewpoint of Thabana Ntlenyana. 6 12.30 PM We arrive in the town of Mokhotlong and enjoy lunch together 7 1.00 PM We visit a cultural Basotho village OR go horse-rinding into the Lesotho Highlands 8 2.00 PM We make our back to Sani Pass. 9 5 PM We watch the sun go down on the top of Black Mountain Pass before making our way to overnight accommodation DAY 2 1 8.00 AM After a hearty breakfast, we join up with you again for day two’s activities. 2 8.30 AM Choose between a visit to a cultural village, a hike at the top of Sani Pass or Come back down the pass to explore the villages of Underberg and Himeville and its museum. 3 12:15 PM We arrive back in Underberg, in time for lunch, if you aren’t in a hurry we’ll choose the best spot in Underberg to have lunch together, or stay up in the mountains and have lunch at the Highest Pub in Africa

Sani Pass Specialist Birding Tour The Sani Pass is a must-do trip for any serious birder, because it provides the only easy access globally to the Drakensberg Rockjumper, Drakensberg Siskin and Mountain Pipit. En route one has the chance, dependent on the season to see difficult-to-find birds such as Barratt’s Warbler, Fan-tailed Grassbird and Bush Blackcap, whilst other narrowly distributed endemics such as Gurney’s Sugarbird and Buff-streaked Chat are present. In the alpine zone, several western species such as Grey Tit, Sickle-winged Chat, Layard’s Warbler and Fairy Flycatcher may be found, whilst this is probably the best place to search for the highly endangered Bearded Vulture. This general area is home to all three of the southern African crane species (Grey Crowned, Wattled and Blue), and the enigmatic seldom-recorded Short-tailed Pipit and Black-rumped Buttonquail.