Lesotho's Finest Tour
This is the best tour on offer in Lesotho.
You will enjoy seeing the top attractions as well as spending time in the most sought-after areas in the country. There is time to relax, get to know the local traditions and culture and go exploring in the remarkable untarnished countryside. This tour will leave you with memories for a life-time.
The Sani Pass
Inclusions on a Private Overland Tour
Inclusions on a Private Overland Tour
ITINERARY
Day 1.
Depart in a 4×4 from Underberg, which is a small farming town and settled at the foot of the Inhlokoma mountain.
Ascend 1000m in 8km through the ‘mother of all passes’ the Sani Pass. We tackle the hairpin bends of the Pass as we drive towards the Mountain Kingdom of Lesotho. During the climb, we stop for a tea/coffee break and at viewpoints for photographic opportunities. We leave earlier than the general tours to avoid traffic on this route.
Passports are stamped at the small Lesotho border post at an elevation of 2874 m. We then have a brief stop at the highest pub in Africa for refreshments.
Stop for a light picnic lunch at a scenic viewpoint.
Thereafter we drive to 3245 m above sea level to the top of Black Mountain. From there we descend towards the Makupung Valley.
In this valley is a small remote village that we support. This village is an inspiration to the other communities as one of the young women embarked on studying tourism and as a result, we started working together. The income she earns supports the entire village of 320 people. She and some of her families are fluent in English. We will spend the rest of the day with the local community. Activities include interacting with the genuine traditional healer and hearing how her skills have been passed through the generations. We interact with the people and children and learn the significance of their dance routines and lives.
Thereafter drive back to the Sani Mountain Lodge
Day 2
Leave Sani Mountain Lodge after breakfast and head towards the Msoba Soba. Join your local hiking guide and walk to the highest point in Lesotho, Thabana Ntlenyana. This is a 6-hour strenuous walk but could be longer depending on fitness levels and adaptation to the altitude.
There may be interaction with local shepherds along the way.
Return late afternoon to the Sani Mountain Lodge to spend the night.
Maliba Lodge view
Day 3
We leave by 8h00 after a full breakfast and from Sani Pass, we start the climb over the Roof of Africa. There are incredible panoramic vistas and substantial photo opportunities. We pass a lot of small well-planned villages and can observe how the communities they spend their days.
After passing, Afriski we drive towards the Tlaleng Pass, which is the highest motorable pass in Southern Africa. At the top we stop for refreshments at the New Oxbow lodge which is located on the edge of a river.
Once leaving Oxbow we start the descent down Moteng Pass and head towards the Lesotho Lowlands.
At the base of Moteng Pass we drive through the busy town of Butha Buthe stop to see 200-million-year-old dinosaurs footprints weather permitting.
We then turn back into the Highlands and head for Maliba Lodge which is in the Ts’ehlanyana National Park and borders Bokong Nature reserve which we will reach by early evening.
Overnight at Maliba – it is the only 5* Accommodation and 5* gourmet Restaurant in Lesotho.
Day 4
After Breakfast head off on a 3 to 4-hour horse ride into the mountains with a local horse-riding guide.
On return go on the Waterfall Hike with a local guide – this is a 13 km hike which takes in some of the best scenery. There are shorter hikes available, but the Waterfall hike has the best reviews.
Alternative activities include a series of other hikes, and shorter horse rides.
This is a great point to hike or ride into the surrounding areas.
Overnight at Maliba Lodge
Day 5
Depart Maliba Lodge, head towards the Ha Koma Cannibal Caves where the ancestors of the original cannibals still live.
Briefly see the mountain which inspired the National Hat and head towards Semonkong Lodge.
Reach Semonkong by lunchtime and head off on foot with a guide towards the famous Maletsunyana Falls. Enjoy a picnic lunch on the way. After this, 5-hour hike enjoy a hearty meal at the Semongkong Lodge and listen to the donkeys, horses, and chickens as the villages pass through the lodge.
Overnight at Semonkong.
Day 6
Basotho Blankets
After an early breakfast attend one of the highlights of the area ‘a blanket presentation’ which is an explanation of local traditions and details of the national dress, the Basotho Blanket. In your luxury 4×4 vehicle head across the Semonkong Pass which is some of the most magnificent scenery in the world. By midday, you will reach the Qacha’s Nek border control and cross back into South Africa. Enjoy a picnic lunch on a plateau overlooking the Swartberg mountain range.
Return to Underberg by late afternoon.
maletsunyana falls 1
Passports & Visas
Valid Passports are essential. No exceptions are made.
Visas may be required for some nationalities and can be obtained online.
Please check http://www.evisalesotho.com/
What to Bring
Bring a small bag with a few changes of clothing. Additional luggage can be safely stored with us in Underberg.
Bring comfortable warm clothing in case of cold and walking shoes.
Don’t forget sunscreen and mosquito repellent (although there is no malaria in the area), sunglasses and camera’s.
There is little cell phone or internet signal in the country.
Small change for purchase of curio’s.
We provide all other refreshments.
What is the altitude?
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The Sani Pass is at an elevation of 2873 meters above sea level.
Black Mountain Pass which is towards the village you will visit is at an elevation of 3278 meters above sea level.
The Tlaleng Pass is the highest motorable Pass in Southern Africa.
Moteng Pass is extremely steep.
Semongkong Pass is steep.
We have never experienced anyone who has had altitude sickness however how guides check continuously and we have a standby plan in place.
ove sea level.
How long is the tour?
We leave Underberg by 08H00.
We return to Underberg by mid-afternoon on the fourth day.
What happens if the weather is bad?
When it is raining, misty or snowing we still operate the tour as most times you rise above the clouds as you go up the Pass.
The only times when the tour will be cancelled is if the Passes have been closed by the border control due to being blocked by snow.
Please speak to us about cancelling if you are not happy as there are cancellation charges with the accommodation facilities.
Is the Sani Pass going to be tarred?
Yes. However according to the engineers involved this will only be in about 5 years.
There are a few road works but this is long before the South African border post.
Can I drive on my own?
Some do attempt to do this but unless you are very experienced it is not advisable. Inclement weather conditions are dangerous if you do not know the road and can happen at any time even if it looks good in the morning.
You will not get to see Basotho culture as this is only provided through a guided tour and your views will be restricted if you do not have the freedom to watch as you pass.
In Lesotho the roads are good. The challenge is driving at high altitudes can be daunting. The second reason why a guided tour is necessary to see Lesotho is because it is remote, there are few signposts and no commercial stops along the way. You will undoubtedly miss most of the attractions. Should something untoward occur you may not be able to get help unless a guide is with you and mobile signals are very poor. Cross border fees with car rental companies are high.
We are geared to handle any problems, have roadside insurance and medical evacuation insurance. We are also in touch with many of our personal contacts along the route.
You can however ‘Hire a Guide’ provided you have the correct vehicle the guide will accompany you in your vehicle for the duration of the tour. Lesotho overnight costs R1800 per day to hire the guide. Hotel and meal costs will be added and all costs of the vehicle. Please book in advance in order for us to secure accommodation.
Rental vehicles are not suggested as rental companies will charge for damage in the area even with full cover insurance.
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