From Durban: Lesotho Highlights 4-Day Trip with Meals

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ID: GYG421627-763674
Category:
Country: South Africa

Duration: 4 days


Description

Explore Lesotho on a 4-day trip from Durban and travel under the Drakensberg mountains and hike over the Sani Pass. Visit Sani To villages and Maseru, see Bushman paintings, and visit the Kome Caves.
Itinerary
Day 1:
Depart at 08:00 from Durban and head to the aptly named town of Underberg under the Drakensberg mountains. In our guided 4wd vehicle in Underberg we proceed into Lesotho Via Sani Pass
The Sani Pass climbs from 1500m to 2874m ASL. The famous switchbacks overlooking the South African valleys are spectacular. Go on a hike of the escarpment overlooking the Sani Pass or pony trek along the cliffs.

Day 2:
Climb further to the top of Black Mountain Pass at 3240m ASL.
The remote villages of the Sani Top and Mokhotlong areas are some of the most remote villages in Lesotho. Get an inside look at the people living in this tough environment with a visit to a village.
Picnic lunch is over a beautiful vista of the Senqu river, which becomes the Orange river in South Africa. An important river for several Southern African countries makes the perfect lunch stop.
The route from Sani Top to Thaba Bosiu is often called the Roof of Africa route, we have already conquered the Sani Pass as well as Black Mountain Pass. After lunch we tackle Taeeng pass at 3225m and Motebong pass at 2820m. Along the way you will see Letseng Diamond mine–the world’s highest diamond mine and Afriski Moutain Resort and countless villages and other picturesque scenes. We will head to our overnight accommodation in Hlotse.
Check-in at Bird Haven at approx. 18:00.

Day 3:
Breakfast at 07:00, departure at approx. 08:00-30.
We backtrack slightly to visit a riverbed close to our overnight accommodation, where there is evidence of prehistoric life forms. If the river is in flood these ancient footprints are hidden to the world but usually the water levels are low enough for us to look at the Dinosaur Footprints
We now leave the main road to Maseru and travel to the Kome Caves, home to modern cave-dwellers, these caves were originally inhabited by clans escaping the Lifqane wars and cannibalism.
We make our way to Thaba Bosiu along the back roads which go through many rural villages.
Thaba Bosiu is a cultural centre of utmost importance to Lesotho and its history.
From Thaba Bosiu we drive into the capital city Maseru for lunch at approx. 13:00, this gives one a good understanding of modern-day city life in Lesotho and its mix with Lesotho’s strong culture.
By 15:00, We head back into the highlands of Lesotho going through the Mantsa Pass to highland town of Semonkong.
Check-in at Semonkong at approx. 17:30

Day 4:
Breakfast at 7:30am
Hike/4wd Drive to the Maletsunyane Falls
Depart the Lesotho highlands via passes that enter South Africa at Qacha’s Nek. We snake our way through the last remote villages of Lesotho. We cross the Senqu river again–which we first saw on day 1 and then follow it along the Senqu river valleys toward the border town of Qachas Nek.
Once back in South Africa we are normally in Matatiele around 13:00 for lunch.
From Matatiele we skirt alongside the Drakensberg mountains and return to Underberg along scenic back roads, returning usually around 15:00-16:00

Highlights

  • Cultural Immersion – a visit to a local Basotho village
  • Roof of Africa Route – amazing views from the top of Africa!
  • Bushman Paintings – interesting history into the nomadic bushmen
  • Dinosaur Footprints – dating millions of years back at the Subeng stream
  • Kome Caves – a unique cave dwelling dating back to the time that cannibals inhab

Guiding languages

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Hotel pick-up and drop-off
INCLUDED
NOT INCLUDED

When should I book?

To guarantee availability book as soon as possible. Early booking is worth consideration especially if you planning the trip during high season like public holidays or weekends.


Cancellations

This excursion you can cancel with no cost up to 24 hours before the start of the trip. If you cancel it after 24 hours or not show up on the excursion you will still be charged the full price of the activity. Being late on pick-up or departure will be considered as not showing up.