The Sani Pass is regarded by some as the most spectacular views in South Africa. Originally a bridal path the Sani Pass day tour has become a ‘bucket list’ experience that is not to be missed. Walls of sandstone, cascading rivers and hair-raising bends are just some of the highlights. The 4×4 vehicles take you through the Barrier of Spears and into the Kingdom of Lesotho. The Highest Pub in Africa welcomes our guests to the roof of Africa.
We visit a Basotho village and meet it’s people – a true cultural experience. After lunch at the Sani Top Chalet (the highest pub in Africa) we’ll take the return journey back to Underberg. A trip you won’t forget….
Click photo to enlarge
Highlights: | World Heritage Site Highest Pass in South Africa Spectacular Views Kingdom of Lesotho Living Basotho Village Highest Pub in Africa 4×4 Experience |
Duration: | ± 6-7 hours |
Depart: | 8:45 am for 9:00 am – return ±16:00 pm |
From: | Major Adventures Office Main Street, Underberg In some instances we may be able to pick you up at your Bed & Breakfast or Hotel – if it is on route. |
Price: | R925 pp, 12 yrs & younger – half price |
Lunch: | Own cost – Choose from a Menu. |
Passports: | A valid passport is required. Visa conditions may apply. For further info on Visa’s check: http://evisalesotho.com/visa-exemptions/ |
Bring: | Warm clothing (bring a beanie to keep your head warm), sunscreen, binoculars, cameras, portable battery bank for your phone (if you take lots of photos). |
8.45 AM
Meet at our office at the Underberg Hotel to complete all the pre tour formalities. In some instances we may be able to pick you up at your B&B or Hotel.
9.00 AM
After meeting your tour guide for the day we depart for the Sani Pass via the village of Himeville, past the local farmlands and into the foothills of the uKhahlamba Drakensberg Park. A World Heritage Site. With the South African Border post formalities complete we begin climbing the Sani Pass switchbacks until we summit at the Lesotho Border. We stop periodically for photo opportunities.
11.30 AM
We then travel into Lesotho where we visit a remote highland village. Here you will interact with Me Bellinah and her family, learn about their customs and how they survive the harsh mountain climate, and even taste her home-made bread.
12.30 PM
The Sani Mountain Lodge welcomes our guests to a hearty lunch and refreshments in their Highest Pub in Africa. Spend some time gazing at the views from the Lodge.
2.30 PM
Brace yourself for the return trip back down the Sani Pass. Stopping again for photo opportunities or flora and fauna spottings that you might have missed on your way up.
±4.00 PM
Arrive back at our office in Underberg.
No. The road up until the South African border post (8km from Lesotho) has been tarred. However the entire Sani Pass experience with its gravel roads and tortured hair-pin bends, remains in its rugged gravel-road condition that requires 4x4 vehicles to traverse.
Every citizen of a foreign country who wishes to visit the Kingdom of Lesotho on any visa category must first obtain a visa through the Lesotho e-visa system.
Normally a single-entry visa would cost $150 pp (R2,600 pp).
Citizens of countries that have visa abolition agreements with Lesotho and citizens of some Commonwealth countries are exempt from this rule. No fee is payable for these citizens.
Nationals of the of the following countries do not require a visa for the trip up Sani Pass to Lesotho:
Austria
Australia
Botswana
Canada
Fiji
Ghana
South Africa
Sri Lanka
Swaziland
United Kingdom
United States of America
Zimbabwe
For more information, please see - http://evisalesotho.com/visa-exemptions/
There are no COVID certificates required, or asked for at either the South African or Lesotho border posts.
This has not been officially legislated, but this is the accepted practice.
Yes you need a valid passport.
A copy will not be accepted. As you are going into another country you will not be allowed to enter or exit the border post without your passport.
Children also require passports.
It is impossible to predict the weather conditions. However the daily tours run everyday 365 days a year except on the rare occasion the pass is closed due to snow or rain. Although the temperatures can be cold on the pass it is most often sunny with blue skies. Snow does occur during winter but there is no regular pattern so it is recommended to consult reputable weather report.
Please check http://www.majoradventures.com/weather
For daily tours up the Sani Pass bring warm clothes, sunglasses, cameras, binoculars, passports (in some cases visa’s) and water. Bring cash (Rands) for purchase of crafts, and gratuities for your guide. The restaurant accepts credit cards, and free WIFI (when it works).
For overland tours bring minimal comfortable clothing, warm jackets and sleeping wear as well as the above. Please email info@majoradventures for further information in this regard.
A Sani Pass standard tour leaves at 9h00 and returns at approximately 16h00. It takes about 2 hours for our vehicles to travel from our office in Underberg, to the top of Sani
The cultural and heritage tours leaves at 8h00 and returns by approximately 18h00.
One night, two night, three night, four and five night tours of Lesotho are available. Please consult our office on bookings@majoradventures.com or phone or WhatsApp Gardi Major on +27 82 298 2135 for information on the duration of the overland Lesotho tours.
Our guides are very experienced. They have been operating through this pass for over 25 years. They understand the weather conditions and the unique conditions in Lesotho. We have a 100% safety rate. Our vehicles are comprehensively insured and we have diplomatic ties with Lesotho. We are confident that the tours we offer are as safe as possible.
We may be able to pick you up from your hotel or B&B - if it is on our route from Underberg to Sani Pass.
We only accept South African Rands, paid via EFT or a web booking through our website.
From: R925.00
Experience a full Sani Pass tour plus a transfer from Durban and back , all in one day. Transfer to 4×4 vehicle in Underberg.
Depart from Durban & return to Durban 1 day
Full Sani Pass tour plus a visit to a remote Basotho village, for an interactive cultural experience. Excellent value for money. Also known as our ‘Cultural and Heritage tour. Includes lunch.
Depart from Underberg 9-10 hours
Major Adventures is the leading tour operator on the Sani Pass, having a family heritage since 1957 that continues until today with Charlie and Gardi Major. Major Adventures have developed and refined a range of group and private tours that are appreciated by thousands of South African and international visitors. Our services are professional, friendly, personal and efficient. We encourage you to join us for a bucket-list experience that will live with you for a lifetime.