About Sani Pass

Follow the steps of the Drakensberg peddlers of yesteryear, who perilously traipsed to the top of this mountain with only a mule for transport. Thankfully, you’ll be travelling in the supreme comfort of an air-conditioned 4×4 Land Cruiser, driven by a dedicated experienced guide who travels the route almost daily. Sani Pass takes you through the border into Lesotho… The Kingdom in the Sky.

This spectacular Sani Pass 4×4 trail has been touted by Lonely Planet as one of the most epic road trips and the best road trip for thrilling scenery. And with good reason. The hairpin bends and endless views of the route offer our guests breathtaking beauty. There’s also an opportunity to discover Basotho culture, dinosaur footprints, cave paintings, and wildlife, depending on how long your tour is.

Sani Pass Tours is a proud carbon offset partner of Fire Island Conservation. Through our tours, you are supporting marine conservation and community upliftment initiatives in southern Africa.

Sani Pass Tours

  • History

    Sani Pass was once a rough mule trail descending the Eastern Highlands of old Basutoland into Natal. Traders brought wool and mohair down the pass on donkeys and mules to be exchanged for blankets, clothing and maize meal – the staples for life at that time.

    A young man had a dream of operating a motor vehicle service up this incredible pass. David Alexander founded Sani Pass Tours in 1955, using the 4-wheel drive vehicles he had seen during his service in the Second World War. Sani Pass has evolved into one of South Africa’s most iconic 4×4 routes ever since.

  • Who We Are

    Sani Pass Tours is the most established and largest tour operator in the Kwa-Sani district. We are based in Underberg, Kwazulu Natal, in the Southern Drakensberg and offer a variety of Lesotho tours. Our Sani Pass Day Tour is one of the most popular things to do in Drakensberg and offers refreshments at the Highest Pub in Africa, plus a glimpse into life in the highlands of Lesotho. This bucket list travel destination  allows our guests to experience the affable personality of the Basotho people.

  • Overview

    Sani Pass Tours can accommodate both small and large groups. Our guides are a fountain of knowledge about the many different highlights of the tour; the history of the pass, birdlife, flora and wildlife. The tour’s goal is not just to take you to the highest pub in Africa, but to make the journey there, and back, an educational, and memorable one.

  • Our Team

    Our Sani Pass Tours team are delighted and proud to work together, and each of us has a unique character and great sense of humour, perfect for guiding and teamwork. We all work towards the same goal; to ensure the best experience is had by all, from the beginning to the end of the tour.

  • Our Fleet

    Sani Pass Tours is proud to say they offer the finest range of vehicles on the Sani Pass, ensuring comfort and safety for all guests in all kinds of weather. 

    The safety and comfort of our fleet is our highest priority and vehicles go through rigorous daily checks. 

    Suited to individuals and groups of all sizes, this incredible fleet is made up of custom-built 7 and 10-seater Toyota Land Cruisers, as well as 5-seater 4X4 Toyota Models. 

Experience it

About Lesotho

  • Tourist Attractions in Lesotho

    There are a variety of tourist attractions in Lesotho. Known as the Mountain Kingdom or Kingdom in the Sky, Lesotho holds a wealth of experiences for those who visit. Mountains, valleys and rivers present unforgettable panoramas for tourists and the mountains are the source of Lesotho’s crystal-clear water, which also sustains the green pastures for livestock. Diamonds are among the minerals found in the mountains.

  • Experiencing Basotho Village Life

    Immerse yourself in the rudimentary lifestyle of a Besotho village, along the Sani Pass 4×4 route. Your guide will captivate you with stories of Lesotho and its hardy mountainous Basotho folk. Look out for Basotho ponies, which are an integral part of life in the villages. Traditional beer and homemade bread are offered on request.

  • Lesotho's Eastern Highlands

    The Eastern Highlands in Lesotho is one of the coldest places in Africa. There are no trees growing at this altitude of 2,874 meters above sea level, and the Basotho folk have to make use of shrubs and cow dung to fuel their fires.

  • Maloti-Drakensberg Park

    The Sani Pass traverses through the Maloti-Drakensberg Park, a World Heritage Site known for its spectacular mountain landscape. The park boasts almost 700 ancient rock art sites, with the oldest paintings dating back nearly 3,000 years.