Sani Pass Day Tours
Join Sani Pass Tours on an inspiring and awesome day tour up the Sani Pass to the Mountain Kingdom of Lesotho at the top of the Southern Drakensberg Mountains, sometimes referred to as ‘Kingdom in the Sky’. The Sani Pass is the only entry point from Kwazulu Natal into Lesotho and Underberg is the beautiful village at the foot of the Sani Pass. Just over 200km [2h30 driving time] from Durban in South Africa.
When you join the Sani Pass Day Tours into Lesotho, you leave the picturesque town of Underberg, driving along hilly, green landscape to the foot of the mighty Southern Drakensberg Mountains. We travel in 4X4 vehicles for 2h30 hours, up the Sani Pass which starts at 1544m and rises 1332 vertical meters to summit at 2876m. The zig-zagging gravel mountain pass with steep slopes, was constructed around 1950, and it never fails to thrill. The road is a steep gravel road with gradients up to 1:3, which can be difficult to drive in bad weather and may be covered with snow and ice in winter. By South African law only 4×4 vehicles are allowed on the road. As you curve through hairpin bends up to the summit you will have extraordinary views down into the valleys. You are in for a fun and heart-racing trip!
Stopping at breath taking view sites along the Sani Pass and the two border posts i.e. The South African Border Control and Lesotho Border Control. [Need a valid passport]. Once at the Top of the Sani Pass – enjoy lunch at a local Basotho venue – available on the day of your tour.
Your adventure is only beginning. After lunch you visit a Basotho village or the Sani Top Church and interact with the local Basotho folk who are independent but friendly inhabitants who live a harsh existence in this rugged land. There will be ample opportunity to take photographs of the iconic Lesotho conical straw hat and maybe get a beautiful and decorative woven bowl made by the women there. Your experienced mountain guide will fascinate you with stories of Lesotho and its incredible people – the hardy mountainous Basotho folk.
The Basotho Pony can be seen and is an integral part of life for the local population and can be traced back from that of the Cape horse, which formed the foundation stock. The first horses appeared in Lesotho around 1825, captured from the Zulu and later from the Boers. Traditional beer and homemade bread offered on request.
You wind down the Sani Pass after this cultural experience and arrive back in Underberg between 15h30-16h00 depending on the wildlife spotted along the way.
Inclusions
* Pick Up at no charge is available for Himeville or the Sani Pass Road only or meet at our offices in Underberg
* Transfers from outlying establishments are available at a cost – please enquire with our office on info@sanipasstours.com
* Guided 4×4 trip up the Sani Pass.
* Lesotho Tourism Levy
* Community levy
* LunchExclusions
* Tipping
* Personal Purchases
* Visas are required for some nationalities – Visas are the guests responsibilityBring
* No Vaccine Certificates are required
* Camera
* Jacket and passport
* VALID PASSPORTS REQUIRED
* South Africa Children Under 18 years of age require Unabridged Birth Certificates
* International Passport Holders don’t need unabridged birth certificatesPlease note should you join a tour and be denied entry into Lesotho because you do not hold the relevant visa, you will be required to wait at the SA Border Post until a transfer at your own cost becomes available. No refund will apply.
*A warm jacket as the weather can be unpredictableFitness
* No fitness required.
* High altitude.What to Wear
* Very warm clothing in winter . We suggest you layer for winter.
* Light weight clothing in Summer, with jacket as the weather can change fast.Visas and Passports
Please note that some passports do require visas to enter Lesotho.
Please check with the Lesotho Embassy for clarity.
https://evisalesotho.com/visa-exemptions/Please note should you join a tour and be denied entry into Lesotho because you do not hold the relevant visa, you will be required to wait at the SA Border Post until a transfer at your own costs becomes available. NO refund will apply.
Location
Lesotho
Departure Point
Sani Pass Tours Offices
Number 9 Main Road Underberg – you will find us as you enter into Underberg from Howick on the R617 we will be on your left before ENGEN.Return Point
Sani Pass Tours Offices
Number 9 Main Road Underberg – you will find us as you enter into Underberg from Howick on the R617 we will be on your left before ENGEN.- We meet at our office at 9 Main Road Underberg at 09.00 am
- The Tour departs at 09.30 am and takes approximately 2.5 hours to reach the summit, climbing a grand 2874 meters above sea level! Stopping at breath taking view sites along the Sani Pass and the two border posts i.e. The South African Border Control and Lesotho Border Control.
- Once at the Top of the Sani Pass – we enjoy lunch at a local venue
- You will get to visit the Sani Top Church or Skeering Basotho Village in Lesotho.
- 14.30 pm – Depart Lesotho and return to Underberg via the Sani Pass.
