Why Choose This 2 Day Drakensberg Tour from Durban?

This tour is perfect for guests who want to experience the Drakensberg without needing a longer multi-day itinerary.

Guests enjoy:

• A 2 day / 1 night Drakensberg tour from Durban
• A scenic 4×4 tour up the famous Sani Pass
• A visit into Lesotho with Basotho cultural insight
• Lunch at Masoba-Soba in Lesotho on Day 1
• Kamberg Game Pass Shelter San rock art hike
• KwaZulu-Natal Midlands sightseeing
• Nelson Mandela Capture Site
• Howick Falls
• Dinner, bed and breakfast included
• Comfortable accommodation in the Underberg / Drakensberg region
• Transport from Durban and return
• Experienced local guides with over 20 years of guiding experience

Why Visit the Drakensberg with a Guide?

The Drakensberg is a vast mountain region with changing weather, remote roads, mountain passes, hiking routes, cultural sites and protected areas. Travelling with an experienced guide helps make the tour more relaxed, informative and better planned.

Your guide can help explain the history of the region, the San rock art, the mountain landscapes, the Zulu and Basotho cultural connections, and the importance of the Drakensberg as a natural and cultural World Heritage Site.

A guided tour also helps with timing, route planning, border procedures for Lesotho, local conditions and choosing suitable activities based on weather, guest fitness levels and safety considerations.

This allows guests to enjoy the beauty of the mountains without worrying about logistics.

2 Day Drakensberg Tour Itinerary

Day 1 – Durban to Underberg, Sani Pass & Lesotho

Your 2 Day Drakensberg Tour from Durban begins with collection from your accommodation in Durban, Umhlanga or surrounding areas.

Pickup is usually around 05:30 AM, depending on your location and final tour arrangements.

From Durban, we travel inland towards the southern Drakensberg and the farming village of Underberg. The drive usually takes approximately 3 hours, depending on traffic and road conditions.

During the journey, your guide will share information about Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, the Drakensberg region, local history and the landscapes we pass through.

Sani Pass 4×4 Tour into Lesotho

On arrival in Underberg, we change into a suitable 4×4 vehicle for the journey up Sani Pass.

Sani Pass is one of South Africa’s most famous mountain passes, climbing dramatically from the KwaZulu-Natal foothills into the Kingdom of Lesotho. The route offers spectacular views, steep mountain roads, photo stops and a real sense of adventure.

Your guide will explain the history of the pass, how it was used in the past and why it remains such an iconic Drakensberg experience today.

Guests will pass through the South African border post and then travel through the mountain section often referred to as “no man’s land” before reaching the Lesotho border post.

Please note: A valid passport is required for this part of the tour. Guests are responsible for ensuring they meet any passport, visa or entry requirements for Lesotho before travelling.

Lunch at Masoba-Soba & Basotho Cultural Experience

Once in Lesotho, guests stop for lunch at Masoba-Soba, which offers beautiful views of the Drakensberg mountain scenery. Lunch is for the guest’s own account.

After lunch, guests visit a small Basotho village at the top of the pass. Where available and suitable on the day, guests may enter one of the local homes to learn more about Basotho culture, traditions and daily life in this high-altitude mountain region.

This is a wonderful opportunity to experience a different side of southern Africa, combining mountain scenery with local culture and history.

Descent to Underberg

In the afternoon, we begin our descent back down Sani Pass into South Africa.

After returning to Underberg, we check in at our accommodation in or near the village.

Dinner and overnight in the Underberg / Drakensberg area.

Day 2 – Kamberg Game Pass Shelter, Mandela Capture Site & Howick Falls

Day 2 begins with breakfast at the lodge or accommodation facility.

After breakfast, we travel towards Kamberg, where we meet a San rock art interpreter and hiking guide for the walk to Game Pass Shelter.

Kamberg Game Pass Shelter Hike & San Rock Art

The Kamberg Game Pass Shelter hike is one of the most meaningful San rock art experiences in the Drakensberg.

The hike usually starts from the Kamberg Rock Art Centre and leads through beautiful Drakensberg foothills towards the famous Game Pass Shelter. Along the way, guests can enjoy mountain views, fresh air, rivers, open grasslands and the peaceful atmosphere of the uKhahlamba Drakensberg.

At Game Pass Shelter, guests view ancient San rock paintings with interpretation from a guide. This experience gives guests a deeper understanding of San beliefs, storytelling, spiritual life and the importance of the Drakensberg as a cultural landscape.

The Kamberg Game Pass Shelter hike usually takes approximately 2.5 to 3 hours, depending on walking pace, weather, trail conditions and the time spent at the rock art site.

This hike requires a reasonable level of fitness and comfortable walking shoes are strongly recommended.

After the hike, we stop for lunch in the area. Lunch is for the guest’s own account.

Nelson Mandela Capture Site

After lunch, we continue through the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands to the Nelson Mandela Capture Site, one of the most important historical stops in the region.

This site marks the area where Nelson Mandela was arrested in 1962, an event that became a major turning point in South African history. Guests can explore the museum and view the powerful sculpture that has become one of the Midlands’ most recognised landmarks.

Please note: The Nelson Mandela Capture Site Visitors’ Centre is usually open from Thursday to Monday, with last entry before closing, and is closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. If this part of the tour falls on a Tuesday or Wednesday, or if opening hours change, we may still stop at the sculpture and outside areas where possible, but the museum / Visitors’ Centre may not be available.

Howick Falls

After the Mandela Capture Site, we visit Howick Falls, a beautiful waterfall near the town of Howick.

The falls are approximately 100 metres high and are one of the most popular natural attractions in the Midlands. Guests may also have time to browse nearby craft shops or enjoy the atmosphere of the village, depending on timing.

Return to Durban

In the late afternoon, we depart the Midlands and return to Durban.

The drive from the Midlands back to Durban usually takes approximately 1.5 hours, depending on traffic and road conditions.

Drop-off will be at your accommodation or agreed location in Durban, Umhlanga or surrounding areas.

Accommodation

Accommodation is included on a dinner, bed and breakfast basis.

Accommodation may vary depending on availability, routing and the final itinerary, but the aim is to provide a comfortable base in the Underberg / Drakensberg region.

The focus of this tour is on scenery, mountain experiences, culture, history and exploring the Drakensberg region rather than luxury accommodation.

What Makes the Drakensberg Special?

The Drakensberg is one of South Africa’s most impressive mountain regions.

Known in Zulu as uKhahlamba, meaning “Barrier of Spears”, and in Afrikaans as Drakensberg, meaning “Dragon Mountains”, this mountain range creates one of the most dramatic horizons in southern Africa.

The region is famous for:

• Towering mountain peaks
• Scenic valleys and rivers
• Waterfalls and forested areas
• Ancient San rock art
• Hiking trails and viewpoints
• Birdlife and mountain wildlife
• Cultural and historical significance
• Peaceful natural surroundings

For thousands of years, the Drakensberg was home to the San people, who left behind one of the largest and most important collections of rock art in Africa.

Why Book with Tim Brown Tours?

Tim Brown Tours is a KwaZulu-Natal based tour company offering guided safaris, Drakensberg tours, cultural experiences and day tours from Durban.

With over 20 years of guiding experience, Tim Brown Tours understands how to plan tours that are relaxed, informative and memorable.

When booking this 2 Day Drakensberg Tour from Durban, guests benefit from:

• Over 20 years of guiding experience
• Local KwaZulu-Natal knowledge
• Comfortable transport
• Carefully planned itineraries
• Experience with international travellers
• A personal, professional approach
• A strong focus on guest safety, comfort and experience

This tour is ideal for travellers wanting to explore the Drakensberg Mountains, Sani Pass, Lesotho, San rock art and the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands in a well-planned 2 day itinerary.

Frequently Asked Questions