We departed from Hillcrest West of Durban with my clients and headed to UnderBerg where we would meet the 4×4 vehicle which would take us over into Lesotho via the Sani Pass. Sani Pass is a massive 2874 meters above sea level and has the Highest Pub in Africa at the top. Lesotho is on average over the country the Highest country in the world! This is mostly due to it being one of only a few countries which is land locked by one country(South Africa).
This eastern side of Lesotho is the most baron part of Lesotho and only a handful of Hardy people live here. The Sani Pass has been used for years as a trading point for the Basotho(people of Lesotho) to Shear their sheep and goats and sell it to the South Africans.
Sani Pass Sign in Lesotho on our Sani Pass Day Tour from Durban 22 May 2014
Sani Pass Sign in Lesotho on our Sani Pass Day Tour from Durban 22 May 2014
As we began our Journey over the pass you immediately have brilliant views of the Drakensberg Mountain which is South Africas first world heritage Site and also the second in KwaZulu-Natal!
The view before accending the Pass on our Sani Pass Day Tour from Durban 22 May 2014
The view before accending the Pass on our Sani Pass Day Tour from Durban 22 May 2014
As we kept on heading up the dirt gravel road it got bumpier than ever but the views got more spectacular on the Durban Day Tour into Lesotho. The Drakensberg is one of the oldest volcanic rock formations in the World and is more than worth visiting! As we continued we spotted some Eland from a view spot. The Eland in the Totem animal for the SAN people who were the original South Africans more commonly known as the Bushmen. The hunted the Eland only for food and used every part of the body including the Fat which they mixed with blood, Ocre, Ostrich egg etc to make paint. The Drakensberg Mountains are littered with the Bushman paintings the only thing left of a race that was killed and the few remaining absorbed into the Zulu Nation.
Eland the Bushmans Totom Animal on our Sani Pass Day Tour from Durban 22 May 2014
Eland the Bushmans Totom Animal on our Sani Pass Day Tour from Durban 22 May 2014
After the Eland it was time to stamp our passports and exit South Africa for Lesotho.
Border post as we left South Africa into no mans land between Lesotho and South Africa on our Sani Pass Day Tour from Durban 22 May 2014
Border post as we left South Africa into no mans land between Lesotho and South Africa on our Sani Pass Day Tour from Durban 22 May 2014
Once through the border post we had 8 more Kilometers of great views before we would stamp our Passports into Lesotho and visit the Highest Pub in Africa. Durban Day Tours to Lesotho are a brilliant way to see this majestic Drakensberg Mountain.
Small Waterfall as we ascended into Lesotho on our Sani Pass Day Tour from Durban 22 May 2014
Small Waterfall as we ascended into Lesotho on our Sani Pass Day Tour from Durban 22 May 2014
We were almost at the Top a massive 2874 meters above sea level! We had already had great views and seen Eland, Mountain Rheebok and White Backed Vultures.
View from the Highest Pub in Africa in Lesotho on our Sani Pass Day Tour from Durban 22 May 2014
View from the Highest Pub in Africa in Lesotho on our Sani Pass Day Tour from Durban 22 May 2014
What a place to stop in the Drakensberg for a drink and a rest. This really is a beautiful place to be and such a short way from Durban to take a Day Tour too.
Me in the Highest Pub in Africa in Lesotho on our Sani Pass Day Tour from Durban 22 May 2014
Me in the Highest Pub in Africa in Lesotho on our Sani Pass Day Tour from Durban 22 May 2014
Even I had to have my photo taken in the Highest Pub in Africa and were a jersey as it was so cold. Below 10 Celsius.
Basotho Boys play music for us outside the Highest Pub in Africa in Lesotho on our Sani Pass Day Tour from Durban 22 May 2014
We carried on deeper into Lesotho to visit a Basotho village and see how these people really live. We got to enter into a Basotho hut but before this we passed some interesting buildings on our Durban Day Tour to Lesotho.
The Local Tavern and Public Phone in Lesotho on our Sani Pass Day Tour from Durban 22 May 2014
The Local Tavern and Public Phone in Lesotho on our Sani Pass Day Tour from Durban 22 May 2014
A bit further up the road we passed the local Catholic church now due to the missionaries the Basotho people converted to Christianity over a 100 years ago as there King decided it was the right thing to do. Yes, Lesotho is a Kingdom just like England but the King is only Symbolic and not active in the running of the Country.
The local Catholic Church in Lesotho on our Sani Pass Day Tour from Durban 22 May 2014
The local Catholic Church in Lesotho on our Sani Pass Day Tour from Durban 22 May 2014
We finally got closer to the Basotho Village but we spotted this Jackal Buzzard which looked straight past us and spotted a mouse and flew off and caught is. It was smothering it and we then decided to continue on.
Jackal Buzzard takes off and catches a mouse in Lesotho on our Sani Pass Day Tour from Durban 22 May 2014
Jackal Buzzard takes off and catches a mouse in Lesotho on our Sani Pass Day Tour from Durban 22 May 2014
Finally on our Durban Day Tour we entered the Hut!
The Sotho hut we entered in Lesotho on our Sani Pass Day Tour from Durban 22 May 2014
The Sotho hut we entered in Lesotho on our Sani Pass Day Tour from Durban 22 May 2014
The floor base is Rocks which like in Zulu Culture is covered with Termite sand and Cow Dung to polish. At the center was the fire and this heats the stones in the floor so inside it is very nice and warm. The thatching grass covers the roof and the toilet is always outside.
Basotho Bread freshly made in Lesotho on our Sani Pass Day Tour from Durban 22 May 2014
Basotho Bread freshly made in Lesotho on our Sani Pass Day Tour from Durban 22 May 2014
After the Lady of the house Me Ileena had given us some bread and beer to taste and we had learned a bit more on the culture we had a chance to buy the bread and some crafts that she and her husband make.
Inside the hut was also a few chickens and 2 cats all running around the place.
We were done in the hut and heading to a place to have lunch before we began descending the beautiful Drakensberg Mountain from the Lesotho side.
View as we descended the Pass from Lesotho on our Sani Pass Day Tour from Durban 22 May 2014
View as we descended the Pass from Lesotho on our Sani Pass Day Tour from Durban 22 May 2014
As we made our way down we bumped into this man who I see every time I come up Sani Pass into Lesotho. He never says a word or greets in anyway, it is hard just to get a nod from him but he is amazing. Every day he walks down the pass looking for dry wood and carries it up the mountain to sell for a few Maluti the local currency. What a guy!
This always makes a Durban Day Tour to Sani Pass that much more special.
The man that collects wood daily in Lesotho on our Sani Pass Day Tour from Durban 22 May 2014
The man that collects wood daily in Lesotho on our Sani Pass Day Tour from Durban 22 May 2014
If you wish to experience the same when you come to Durban join me Tim Brown Tours on a Durban Day Tour or Durban Day Safari Tour.
