Top Experiences in Sani Pass

Leave Durban and travel through the Natal Midlands to Underberg. Hop into a four wheel drive vehicle and enter Lesotho via the Sani Pass, where you will visit a Sotho Village and interact with the locals of this village. Travel to the highest pub in Africa for lunch before returning to Durban after a full day of exploring.

Take a journey off the beaten track to the Roof of Africa on our Full Day Shared Transfer to Sani Pass in Lesotho from Durban and experience a country within the borders of South Africa. This is one of our most exhilarating day tours done in a 4x4 vehicle with other guests onboard.

We will drive along the scenic Drakensberg Mountain range on a gravel road over the escarpment for approximately 33km. The Sani Pass, formerly known as the bridal path for Basotho people, was used to transport their goods to and from the Highlands of Lesotho and KwaZulu-Natal. Today this route affords guests the adventure to travel this route to a height of 2873 meters above sea level in a 4x4 vehicle.

Have you packed your passport? You’re heading into the Mountain Kingdom after all. At 3 240 meters above sea level it can get a tad icy so wrap yourself in one of our authentic Basotho Blankets which is yours for the day.

Our first stop is Himeville, at the base of the mountain, where you’ll climb into a rugged 4x4. Time to embark on the steep climb up the scenic and daunting Sani Pass. Get your passport stamped at the border and head into no-mans-land which connects South Africa to Lesotho.

Once you enter into Lesotho your guide will introduce you to a Basotho village before a bucketlist lunch (own cost) at Africa’s highest pub. Time to head down the mountain for your drive back to Durban.

TRAVEL VISA — Travellers are required to check whether they require a travel visa to enter Lesotho. If you require a visa it is your responsibility to acquire the necessary visa prior to the tour. Wild Routes Africa is in no way responsible for any traveller that is refused entry into Lesotho.

This tour commences at 6:am in Durban. Begin the drive from Durban along the N3 highway and travel past Pietermaritzburg. Travel through the Natal Midlands, admiring the scenery until you reach the town of Underberg. In Underberg you will be transfered into a 4 x 4 vehicle.
Sani Pass, is a World Heritage, a steep pass rising 9,429-feet above sea level. Go up a gravel winding pass that is higher and steeper and much tougher than any in Southern Africa. The Pass offers the most exceptional views. As the altitude increases, the road becomes narrower and more treacherous. All signs of human habitation disappear as you come face to face with the vast, desolate beauty of the Drakensberg Mountains. In Lesotho you also get to visit a traditional Sotho village and experience first hand the rural Sotho life. Enjoy lunch and toast to a drink at the highest pub in Africa.

Extend our popular Lesotho Day Trip and overnight in the “Kingdom in the Sky”, spending the night at the top of Sani Pass. 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 15 day tour is an unforgettable experience. The tour has a good mix of nature, culture and adventure. You experience Kruger National Park, Isimangaliso Wetlands Park, the Garden Route and more. The tour starts in Johannesburg, to Kruger National Park, Isimangaliso Wetlands Park, Durban, Drakensberg Mountains, the Garden Route and Cape Town.
This is what you get on this tour:
1. Kruger National Park, Drakensberg, Isimangaliso Wetlands Park, Durban
2. Interesting stop over at all these areas plus game drives
3. Pass over Ateniqua Pass
4. Accommodation at top hotels and lodges
5. Addo Elephant National Park – game drive
6. Robberg Nature Reserve – hiking
7. Knysna Heads
8. Quays Knysna Waterfront
9. Plettenberg Bay – white sandy beaches
10. Bloukrans Bridge skywalk and world highest bungy jump – optional $50-00
11. Hermanus – Whale watching (in season)
12. African Penguins – Betty’s Bay
13. Wine Tasting – 5 different wines – Benguela Cove Wine Estate

We travel through to Underberg where we transfer into a 4×4 vehicle for a trip up the famous Sani Pass to the top of the Drakensberg and into Lesotho where we meet these mountain people living in a very harsh land. We will visit the Sani top chalet which is one of the most isolated pubs in Africa. It is certainly the highest. The area is renowned for its incredible scenery, flora and birdlife. This is the home of the eland, the largest antelope in Africa, duikers, baboons and the rare bearded vulture. Passports are essential for entry into Lesotho, and jerseys, jeans and binoculars are a must.

You absolutely will not find another tour out there as packed w/ activities & attractions as this one, provided by CharlieTheTraveler. You will also not find another tour out there that offers it all "FIRST CLASS," yet for a relatively low price. We have thousands of travelers taking this specific tour every year-& that's because no competitor can beat us on quality, price & substance. Below are just some examples of what you will see, do and have on this tour:

► Both Night & Day Jungle Safaris
► A Sunset Cruise on a Historic Boat Called John Benn
► Guided Sightseeing Tours in Cape Town & Durban
► Watching Hippos, Crocodiles & Seals on Boat Excursions
► An Adventurous ‘Crawling’ Tour Inside Cango Caves
► Wine Tasting at Cape Winelands
► Zip Lining at Storms River
► Bungee Jumping Off 1 of the Tallest Bridges on Earth (optional)
► Visiting the Infamous Prison on Robben Island
► Greeting Penguins at Boulder’s Penguins Colony
► Exploring a Postcard Perfect River Canyon

This exclusive ‘berg and bush’ tour combines the beauty of the Drakensberg Mountains – a world heritage site – with a luxury big-5 bush experience at Nambiti Private Game Reserve, the culture in Lesotho and art of Clarens.

This is a tour of a lifetime. A 4 x 4 experience up one of the world's most famous passes. Our 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.

Want adventure ? Enjoy something different ? Looking to see a different culture?

Join us for a full day adventure up the Sani Pass into Lesotho in a 4X4 guided vehicle! Climb the world famous Sani Pass to 2874 metres above sea level, stopping for lunch at the Highest Pub in Africa and then onto visiting a living Basotho Village in Skeering, Lesotho. We look forward to seeing you!

After lunch the tour continues into a living Basotho village, where your experienced mountain guide will interest you on Lesotho and its people. Traditional beer and homemade bread offered on request.

You will wind down the Sani Pass after this cultural experience and arrive back in Underberg between 4pm - 4:30pm, depending on the wildlife spotted along the way.

The mountain kingdom of Lesotho is out-of-this world for its sheer mountain beauty. Combine that with its unique culture where the people have combined a 21st approach to certain day-to-day activities whilst holding onto their culturally unique way-of-life and it blends into an amazing experience.

Our guests are often visiting Lesotho whilst on holiday in South Africa. We have perfected a 3-day private tour which incorporates many of the top things to do in Lesotho, despite being on a time budget.

Of course, Lesotho has even more amazing things to do and see, but we feel that this tour has become a favourite because it packs so much into just 3 days of overland in Lesotho!

Sani Pass, Lesotho Cultural Immersion, Drakensberg Bushmen Paintings, Dinosaur Footprints, Modern-day Cave Dwellers and Semonkong.

This hike gives you a first-hand experience of the natural wilderness of the Drakensberg viewed through a glimpse into the lives of the now-vanished San people, the first people of southern Africa. The San or Bushman people occupied the Drakensberg for at least 35 000 years, but vanished by the end of the 19th century. Your hike takes you to one of the finest rock art sites in the Drakensberg. Your deeply-experienced naturalist guide, Aldo Berruti, will interpret the natural environment and provide insight into the lives and art of the San people.The hike is 12-13 km in length with an ascent of 400m and requires good hiking fitness. The rock paintings in the Drakensberg are hidden gems waiting to be discovered and enjoyed. Discovering these paintings with the help of a guide is a truly rewarding feeling. Rock art experts feel strongly that these paintings are of the world’s most sophisticated art pieces. However, you need not be a fan of art to appreciate these paintings.

This tour is very popular with many people as it combines Tala Game Reserve, Nelson Mandela Capture Site and Sani Pass - all top attractions. Visitors get to experience a game drive in Tala Game Reserve, see a lot of wild animals and see the African bush in its most beautiful form. The Sani Pass is also a top destination crossing into Lesotho. A 2 day tour not to be missed.

Experience a 4x4 adventure up the Sani Pass into Lesotho - a world Heritage Site!! Our guides stop at breath taking view sites along the Sani Pass and the two border posts. Once at the Top of the Sani Pass - we enjoy lunch at the highest Pub in Africa - The Sani Mountain Lodge. After lunch the Tour continues to visit the Sani Top Church or the local Village of Skeering - a living Basotho village, where our experienced mountain guide will interest you on Lesotho and its people - the hardy mountainous Basotho folk. Sweet homemade bread (and sometime local beer) is offered on request. We wind down the Sani Pass after this cultural experience and arrive back in Underberg

This is one of the top selling tours with so many attractions to see within the 2 days. These include:
a) Tala Private Game Reserve
b) Natal Lion Park
c) Howick Falls
d) Nelson Mandela Capture Site
e) Sani Pass Lesotho Tour
You get to see many different animals such as lions, elephants, rhinoceros, giraffes, kudu and many many more. There are also many birds to be seen at the game reserves.

the Sani Pass Tour to Lesotho 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. This is 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. Enjoy a drink or 2 at the highest pub in Africa

The Sani Pass Full Day Tour departs from Durban to Underberg where your 4 x 4 tour begins. At Underberg, you are transferred into a 4 x 4 vehicle and from here
you go up a gravel winding pass that is higher and steeper and much tougher than any of its Southern African competitors. This Pass offers the most exceptional views in South Africa. As the altitude increases, the road becomes narrower and more treacherous. All signs of human habitation disappear as you come face to face with the vast, desolate beauty of the Drakensberg Mountains.

As part of this tour, you visit a traditional Sotho village and interact with local Sotho people and learn about their culture. You also dine and drink in Africa's highest pub (own expense). This is an exceptional tour not to be missed.

This 4-country tour of South Africa, Eswatini, Mozambique and Lesotho is ideal for travellers interested in a once-in-a lifetime opportunity to see parts Southern Africa. It offers a full glimpse of many attractions covering aspects of African heritage, culture, history and geography. For instance, the visit to Soweto, Mandela house, the Apartheid Museum and Constitution Hill fills the traveller with South Africa's history of the past and how the future has been impacted by what happened in the past. The visit to Eswatini offers the traveller a glimpse of the cultural and traditional heritage that is intertwined in the country's so-called monarchical democracy. The visit to Mozambique is full of Portuguese colonial history and the legacy left by the colonizer in the form of art, architecture, The visit to St. Lucia, Sani Pass and Durban compliments the visitors overall experience in term of natural landscapes mountains, rivers and the Indian ocean on the shores of Durban city.

Perfect for lovers of the outdoors, the Sani Pass and Lesotho Tour promises a fun-filled day with amazing views of the epic Drakensberg Mountains landscape.

You experience the Midlands Meander in KwaZulu-Natal as you travel from Durban and the majestic Drakensberg mountain range as we make our way to the Sani Pass from Underberg. Travel on a 4 x 4 along the beautiful Sani Pass and visit the kingdom of Lesotho. Visit the highest pub in Africa and an African village in Lesotho.

This is an affordable private tour with a personal, dedicated guide.

We guarantee your space to enjoy yourself in comfort. It will only be yourselves in the vehicle.

You decide where you would like to spend time taking photo's or at viewpoints.

We offer freshly baked snacks, water and juice. 

We go beyond the beaten track, include visits to a private homestead.

We offer you traditional lunch at a private homestead at a small additional charge (must be pre-booked).

You will see more, hear more and experience much more on these tours.

If you are cold we have fluffy blankets .

There are warm and cold towels to refresh you along the way.  We give you the option of lots of other extras for special occasions and make sure everyone has a superb certificate of achievement for summiting the Sani Pass.

From Durban, the Sani Pass Tour gives you the opportunity to experience an adventure of a lifetime – an exciting journey up this famous pass. The tour heads up through KwaZulu-Natal Midlands, to the picturesque town of Underberg. This is where the real adventure begins.

The 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 Guide will fill you in on full details of the Tour.

Feast your eyes on the natural landscape that is dotted with many species of wildflowers, creating splashes of vibrant colors. The road is rough 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.
Breathe in the fresh mountain air, drink in the sweeping vistas that are nothing short of majestic, sip a glass of wine at the highest pub in Africa and enjoy this unique African experience in Lesotho – ‘Kingdom of the Sky’.

Without a doubt the Sani Pass is one of the most spectacular and scenic mountain passes in Africa.

This tour is a must if you are travelling to Kwa-Zulu Natal. The Pass winds steeply through the summit of the Drakensberg and through the Lesotho border post. Many adventurous travellers from across the world include this on their itineraries in order to traverse the breathtaking natural scenery this precarious mountain has to offer.

You will receive the value of a highly trained enthusiastic guide who spends time discussing each highlight and attraction.

This guided 4x4 tour does not require any physical fitness and therefore encourages people of all ages. The tour packs a big punch with unforgettable views.

You will leave having conquered the highest and most iconic pass that Southern Africa has to offer.

Luxury Minivan Transfer from Durban to Underberg.

World Heritage Site
Highest Pass in South Africa
Spectacular Views
Kingdom of Lesotho
Living Basotho Village
Highest Pub in Africa
4×4 Experience

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 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 colour. 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 the ‘Kingdom of the Sky’.

This 2 day tour is extremely popular. You visit Tala Game Reserve and Natal Lion Park. These 2 game reserves are extremely popular. Here you get to see lions, elephants, zebra, kudu, giraffe, rhino and many more animals.

The Nelson Mandela Capture Site is another popular spot with the museum and the monument.

Finally, the Sani Pass crowns this. People come from all over the world to visit and see Sani Pass. The Sani Pass Tour is a thrilling adventure that takes you on a scenic journey through the picturesque landscapes of South Africa and Lesotho. The tour starts in the quaint town of Underberg and takes you up the majestic Sani Pass, a steep and winding mountain road that links South Africa to Lesotho.

Sani Pass Tour – Pathway to LESOTHO the “Kingdom in the Sky”

The tour gives you the opportunity to experience an adventure of a life time – an exciting journey up this famous pass.

 The 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 colours. 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 the 'Kingdom of the Sky'.

An exclusive, private tour offering a night at the very edge of the formidable Sani Pass and the opportunity to hike to the highest point in Lesotho if desired. You will interact with a remote community in a private, authentic Basotho homestead where you will observe the skills of a traditional healer and see the secret dancing rituals of the charming ladies whilst you experience their day to day lifestyle. You will be treated to 5-star service throughout, with a personal guide, a luxury air-conditioned 4x4 vehicle and homemade snacks and refreshments. This tour has been rated number one in the area.

Important: We are the only operator in the area who has a permit from the Department of Transport to carry passengers up the Sani Pass. This permit is required by law.

Explore the “Kingdom in the Sky”

This tour will take you up Sani Pass and further on into a village in the Mountain Kingdom, called Mokhotlong, allowing you to explore more of Lesotho in just a day! 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.

This is our most popular tour. We are the only company that offer a guaranteed private tour, with a personal guide and private vehicle all at the same price as a group tour.

We are the only operator in the area who has a permit from the Department of Transport to carry passengers up the Sani Pass. This permit is required by law.

We tour up the Sani Pass to Maletsunyane Falls in just two nights and three days. We experience all the most exceptional highlights of this incredible country including visits to the cannibal caves and dinosaurs footprints.

We go to sights seldom seen by most tourists, we meet local communities and elusive shepherds.

Our guides are highly trained and some of the best in the entire region. The guides are also trained in 4x4 advanced driving and hold search and rescue qualifications.

We offer numerous added extras to give you a 5 star experience.

This tour will allow you to experience the brilliance of Lesotho and the major highlights in just 3 days.

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 Bushmans Nek and the soaring Maloti Mountains of Lesotho as far as the eye can see to the west.

This is a beautiful scenic day out in the Drakensberg mountains with a border pass into Lesotho (via Sani Pass), a land locked country within South Africa. It is on average the highest country in the world and is a Kingdom which got its independence in 1968 from South Africa.

WHY WE THINK YOU’LL LOVE IT
✓ Visiting the highest Pub in Africa while entering a new country (Lesotho) on Average the highest country in the World!.

✓ Enjoying the majestic Drakensberg Mountains which are over 3500 meters / 11500 feet high.

✓ Heading up Sani Pass with its hairpin bends in a 4×4 accompanied by a experienced guide.

For those with a sense of adventure, a 4x4 drive up the highest road pass in Africa will certainly provide a hefty dose of adrenalin. For guests efforts, they will be rewarded with its breathtaking scenery.

From Durban, guests drive through the green hills of the Midlands towards the little country town of Underberg. Here, the 4x4 vehicle awaits, the only form of transport equipped to tackle Sani Pass! Guests will have their passports stamped as they enter the Kingdom of Lesotho, and stop at a nearby Sotho Village to enjoy a taste of the local culture.

Lunch is served at the highest pub in Africa, truly, and, it stands to reason, the views are utterly breathtaking!

Once guests have recovered their breath, they will wind down the Pass very slowly, and wind their way gently back to Durban. Guests will certainly have had a day filled with altitude!

The views along the pass are out of this world as you sit on the 4x4 watching.
At the top of Sani Pass, at a height of 3240 metres / 9900 feet is the “Highest Pub in Africa” where you will be given time to enjoy a warm pub meal. Your tour guide will take you to a local’s home near the pub to introduce you to a Basotho people in a local village. There you will see how the Basotho people of Lesotho live. Thereafter you will make your way down Sani’s Pass and cross the boarder back into South Africa and head back to Durban.

The Sani Pass, Lesotho tour is world renowned. It is the most challenging with some unbelievable views along the way and all around. People come from all over the world to experience this pass.

The Drakensberg Gardens area is also a top tourist area with beautiful trails to the foo of the Drakensberg Mountains. This tour is one of the most popular.

There is also good opportunities to experience snow fall.

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.

Silver Award Winner of AFRICAN RESPONSIBLE TOURISM AWARD for POVERTY REDUCTION 2018.

The

Sani Pass Lesotho 4x4 tour leaves from Durban and stops at the capital of KwaZulu-Natal, PMB

. Your guide will give you a short tour of the city and visit

Mahatma Gandhi’s statue by Pietermaritzburg City Hall. Afterwards the tour moves towards the Drakensberg Mountains and up to the

Sani Pass in Lesotho. At the top you will have a meal at the highest pub in Africa and visit a local Lesotho village be fore returning down the pass towards to Durban.

Experience a 4x4 game drive at Tala Game Reserve, one of the most popular game reserves in KZN. A few kilometers away, visit the Natal Lion Park. At these 2 game reserves, you are likely to see elephants, lions, zebra, kudu, giraffes, and many more animals.

The Nelson Mandela Capture Site and its monument is also very popular tourist destination.

On day 2 you go on the Sani Pass Tour. People come from all over the world just to experience the Sani Pass. The Sani Pass is a 33km gravel road that straddles the sheer cliffs of the Drakensberg escarpment in a series of tight Zig Zag curves.

This is a must-do memorable 2-day tour.

This indeed the best of South Africa Tour. It offers the very best of what South Africa has to offer. Starting off in Johannesburg, proceeding to Kruger National Park, one of the largest game reserves in Africa. From Kruger National Park you go to Isimangaliso Wetlands Park where you go on a Hippo and Croc Boat Cruise. This is followed up by a 3 hour game drive. From Isimangaliso Wetlands Park proceed to Durban. In Durban do a tour of the city and visit the local market housing a lot of locally made goods. From Durban proceed to the longest mountain range in Africa, the Drakensberg Mountains. From the Drakensberg we embark on a journey to Cape Town, stopping over and visiting many towns and other tourist areas along the way such as Knysna, Hermanus, Betty's Bay, etc.. Other highlights include wine tasting at Benguela Cove Wine Estate and the world's highest bungy jump at Bloukrans Bridge. On arrival in Cape Town we take you up Table Mountain, one of the most iconic in South Africa.