This is an adventure in the skySani and the Place of Smoke
This is our most popular tour. We tour from Sani Pass to Maletsunyane Falls in just two nights and three days. Experience all the most exceptional highlights of this incredible country.
Inclusions on this tour.
Private Vehicle
Private Top Calibre eloquent guide
All Meals and snacks
All Activities
Bottled Water
Juices
Certificates of Sani Pass
Tourism Levies and Cross Border fees
All Cross Border documentation.
Specialized Hiking guides.
Passenger Liability Insurance
Blankets in the vehicle when cold
EXCLUSIONS
Additional and all Alcoholic drinks
Curio’s and personal items
Gratuities
Transfers from Durban or Johannesburg if required.
ITINERARY
Day 1
- Traverse the breathtaking Sani Pass stopping frequently for photo opportunities.
- After crossing the Lesotho border, drive across the spectacular views from the Roof of Africa
- Visit a small traditional village
- Pass small villages and panoramic mountain vistas. This country has the highest lowest point in the world. Only 20% of the population live in these remote Highlands.
- Pass the Let’seng Diamond Mine at which some of the clearest and largest diamonds in the world have been found.
- Lunch at the New Oxbow Lodge.
- Visit Liphofung Bushman Paintings.
- Drive down the corkscrew Moteng Pass toward the lush Lesotho Lowlands.
- Drive through to Hlotse where you will enjoy Dinner Bed and Breakfast at an excellent facility.
Day 2.
- After Breakfast go to the Leribe Craft market and see how mohair is transformed into beautiful products by a group of disabled women.
- Visit Ha Kome Cannibal Caves.
- Go to the place of kings Thaba Bosiu, see the cultural village and have lunch.
- We go on an incredible 4×4 ride to see amazing dinosaur footprints (road conditions permitting).
- Tour through small farms in fertile green lands.
- Drive past Ramabanta Trading Post which is now a beautiful oasis boasting well kept English gardens.
- Drive through to Semongkong ” The Place of Smoke.”
8. Experience an incredible abseil (optional)
9. Hike, horse ride (optional) to the Maletsunyana falls
10 Enjoy dinner and bed in this one-of-a-kind lodge as horses, pack donkeys, and cows wandering through the village with bells ringing and shepherds ushering them home.
Day 3
- Experience an amazing blanket presentation given in a local hut with amusing and descriptive explanations of the significance of the different blankets which are the national dress of Lesotho and enactment of the local culture.
- Enjoy a wholesome breakfast at Semonkong before departing.
- Load up to drive through the steepest pass with views that almost surpass everything but the Sani Pass.
- Shepherds on horses and small picturesque villages pepper the remote landscape as we drive towards the Highlands again.
- Arrive at the border control at Qacha’s Nek. Enjoy a picnic meal overlooking the vast South African Swartberg region.
- Return to Underberg by late afternoon.
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 overnight 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?
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.
How long is the tour?
This tour is Three Days and Two Nights long
We leave by 8h00.
We usually return to Underberg on the third day by mid-afternoon.
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.
