Sani Pass Tour into Lesotho 10th June 2015
I met my clients in Durban and we began the 2.5 – 3 hour drive up to Underberg where we would be ascending into the mountain kingdom of Lesotho via the Sani Pass.
It was a very cold day and on route to Underberg we actually saw the mercury drop down to 1 degree Celsius which was quite something for South Africa and KwaZulu Natal, but it was our winter!
As we drove I chatted about some of the interesting history but as my client we Lawyers they were keen on hearing my opinion on the state of the Nation.
We arrived in Underberg and it was around 5 degrees. After fulling up the paper work it was time to get into the 4×4 vehicle and we made our way slowly up the pass climbing over 1500 meters in a couple hours. We always stop to look at the amazing view on these Sani Pass tours so we can get some great pictures.
Sani Pass Tour; View up Sani Pass
Sani Pass Tour; View up Sani Pass
The Drakensberg or Ukhahlamba in Zulu meaning Barrier of Spears is South Africa’s second World heritage site behind St Lucia or Isimangeliso wetland park where we would be going the following day.
These majestic mountains cover over 250 kilometers and rise up to about 3500 meters which is the highest point south of Kilimanjaro.
We reached the South African border post and got out at passport control and stretched the legs.
Sani Pass Tour; South African border post
Sani Pass Tour; South African border post
We then continued out Sani pass tour and arrived at the Lesotho boarder post and the temperature was 9 degrees we were all sure it was less as it was freezing.
Here at the Sani Top you have the highest pub and Africa which we had lunch at and some interesting shops.
Sani Pass Tour; Shop in Lesotho
Sani Pass Tour; Shop in Lesotho
The Chinese have just finished tarring the road from the top of the pass to the nearest town which made our drive really easy to the Basotho village where we met a couple Sesotho people and entered into one of the ladies huts for a taste of her free pot bread. It was as always lovely!
Sani Pass Tour; Basotho pot bread
Sani Pass Tour; Basotho pot bread
We also got to see some pigs which sound crazy but the mother pig had babies and they were actually cute. They even started sucking while we were there and this was a sight to behold as they gorged themselves!
Sani pass is really a lovely way to access Lesotho if you have a 4×4 and is well worth the visit. We had learned more about the Basotho people and their culture so after a final picture of the Basotho hut we made our way back to Sani top to have lunch at the highest pub in Africa situated at 2874 meters above sea level!
Sani Pass Tour; Basotho hut
Sani Pass Tour; Basotho hut
The lunch was great and we enjoyed the views down the mountain and Sani pass before getting back into the vehicle and making our way down from Lesotho leaving the majestic Sani Pass behind us and re-entering South Africa.
Sani Pass Tour; View down Sani Pass
Sani Pass Tour; View down Sani Pass
The hairpin bends at the last section of Sani pass are something you have to witness to believe and they views on this Sani pass tour are amazing. Words cannot describe the area, you have to visit this amazing area on a Durban day tour.
We arrived safely back down in South African and made our way back to Durban arriving home before 7am. The next day would be the St Lucia day tour.
