Lesotho Drakensberg Tour from Durban

Why Book This Lesotho Drakensberg Tour?

This Lesotho Drakensberg tour is ideal for travellers who want to experience the beauty of the Drakensberg Mountains and the mountain kingdom of Lesotho in one full-day tour from Durban.

The tour combines some of the best highlights of the Southern Drakensberg into one memorable day, including the famous Sani Pass 4×4 route, a border crossing into Lesotho, spectacular mountain scenery and cultural insight into Basotho village life.

Sani Pass is one of South Africa’s most famous mountain passes and one of the most exciting routes into Lesotho. The road climbs steeply through the Drakensberg Mountains, offering dramatic views, sharp bends, rugged gravel roads and excellent photo opportunities.

At the top of the pass, you cross into Lesotho and experience a completely different landscape, culture and climate from Durban.

This tour is a great choice for travellers who enjoy:

• Lesotho day trips from Durban
• Drakensberg Mountain scenery
• Sani Pass 4×4 adventure routes
• Photography and viewpoints
• Cultural experiences
• Basotho village visits
• Unique full-day tours from Durban

With over 15 years’ experience offering Durban safaris and KwaZulu-Natal tours, Tim Brown Tours provides a reliable and professional way to experience Lesotho, the Drakensberg and Sani Pass in one day.

Tour Overview

Your Lesotho Drakensberg tour begins with an early morning pickup from your Durban accommodation at approximately 5:30 AM. From Durban, the journey travels inland through KwaZulu-Natal’s scenic countryside towards the Southern Drakensberg Mountains.

After arriving near Underberg, the gateway to Sani Pass, you will continue the mountain section of the tour in a suitable 4×4 vehicle. The road up Sani Pass is steep, rugged and dramatic, making it one of the most famous 4×4 routes in South Africa.

As you climb higher into the Drakensberg Mountains, the scenery becomes more spectacular. Expect mountain streams, cliffs, winding switchbacks, wide valleys and incredible viewpoints along the way.

At the top of Sani Pass, you will complete border formalities and enter the Kingdom of Lesotho. Once in Lesotho, you will visit a small Basotho village and learn more about traditional mountain life in this remote highland region.

After your Lesotho visit, you descend Sani Pass by 4×4 and return to Durban at approximately 7:00 PM, depending on road conditions, weather, traffic and border crossing times.

Tour Highlights

• Full-day Lesotho Drakensberg tour from Durban
• Scenic drive through KwaZulu-Natal to the Southern Drakensberg
• Famous Sani Pass 4×4 tour
• Cross the border into the Kingdom of Lesotho
• Visit a traditional Basotho village
• Enjoy spectacular Drakensberg Mountain views
• Photo stops along one of South Africa’s most dramatic mountain passes
• Learn about Sani Pass, Lesotho and the Drakensberg region
• Convenient pickup and drop-off from selected Durban accommodation venues

 ITINERARY

6.00 AM: Transportation

It’s an early start for the Sani Pass, Drakensberg and Lesotho Day Tour! You will be collected from your accommodation venue (This only applies to pick-up’s and drop-off’s in Durban City, feel free to contact us if you are unsure as to whether your pick-up location is covered. Should your pick-up location not be covered, we will still collect you, however, there may be an additional charge dependent on where you are based.

9.00 AM: Underberg

The drive to Underberg is about 2.5 hours through some of the most picturesque countryside in South Africa! To speed things along, your knowledgeable guide will share on the history of area and you are encouraged to ask questions to reap the full benefit of the tour. Rest assured that you will travel in absolute comfort as Tim Brown Tours use a Ford Tourneo or a Ford Everest to conduct all tours. This is subject to availability and Tim Brown Tours reserves the right to make alternative vehicle arrangements.We arrive at our destination where we will swop vehicles, a 4×4, and make our way up Sani Pass.We will make our way up Sani Pass which starts at 1544m and climbs 1332 Approx. to vertical meters to an altitude of 2874m above sea level, to the highest pub in 12:30pm. Your guide will educate you on the history of the pass and the views will leave you breathless as you wind your way in this rugged terrain through the Drakensberg Mountains.

12.30 PM: Sani Pass

HISTORY

Sani Pass instils a sense of awe for those who are fortunate enough to make the climb by 4×4 due to its beautiful scenery, the peaceful surrounds and as you wind your way up the sometimes adrenaline inducing hairpin bends you can understand why it has become such an iconic pass in South Africa.

Although there has been much talk of tarring the pass, it is still a gravel pass and in a sense here in lies much of its appeal as it is only accessible by 4×4, creating a sense of privilege for those permitted to venture up. Built in the 1950’s being used as a thoroughfare for those trading between the borders, you can only imagine the difficulty of making one’s way through the pass in those times.

Sani Pass often experiences snowfall in the winter months and the sight is out of this world, seeing the snow topped mountains, the natural streams, truly makes for an unforgettable, memorable experience.

You will be travelling through the Lesotho border and there may be VISA entry requirements dependent on your residency. Should you not be sure on whether you are required a VISA for entry, please do not hesitate in contacting us as we will gladly assist wherever possible. Should you be prohibited from entering through the border, we will not accept any liability due to lack of the correct VISA documentation.

FAQ

Is this a Lesotho tour or a Drakensberg tour?

This tour is both. It is a full-day Lesotho Drakensberg tour from Durban that travels through the Southern Drakensberg, ascends the famous Sani Pass 4×4 route, crosses into Lesotho.