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Sani Pass Border Control

Sani Pass Border Control: Our most recommended tours and activities

From Underberg: Sani Pass Day Tour

1. From Underberg: Sani Pass Day Tour

The Sani Pass is regarded by some as having the most spectacular views in South Africa. Originally a bridle path, it 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 as your 4x4 vehicle takes you through the Barrier of Spears and into the Kingdom of Lesotho.  Visit a living Basotho village and meet its people for a true cultural experience. The highest pub in Africa welcomes you with a hearty lunch and refreshments before your journey back down the pass to Underberg. 

From Durban: Sani Pass, Lesotho and Basotho Village Day Trip

2. From Durban: Sani Pass, Lesotho and Basotho Village Day Trip

Pack your passport and head up into the Mountain Kingdom for the day. At 3,240 meters (10,630 feet) above sea level, Lesotho can get a tad icy so wrap yourself up in an authentic Basotho blanket, which is yours for the day. You'll be taught how the blanket is tied and worn. After pickup from Durban or other available locations in the eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality, make your first stop at Himeville, at the base of the mountains. Here, climb into a rugged 4x4 and meet your specialist Basotho guide who knows the Sani Pass like the back of his hand. Then, embark on the steep climb up the scenic and daunting Sani Pass as you make your way towards Lesotho. Get your passport stamped at the border and head into no-mans-land which connects South Africa to Lesotho. Keep your camera on standby as you don’t want to miss a chance to capture these dramatic vistas. If you’re lucky, you may even score an eland sighting. Elands are believed to be mystical animals that were revered by the San or bushman people of Southern Africa. Once you enter Lesotho, your guide will introduce you to a Basotho village where you have the opportunity to try traditional bread and beer. Tip: the bread goes wonderfully well with the soup of the day at the pub nearby. Tick another thing off your bucket list by enjoying lunch at Africa’s highest pub (own cost). Later, it'll be time to head back the mountain for your drive back to eThekwini/Durban for drop-off at your accommodation.

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What people are saying about Sani Pass Border Control

Overall rating

4.9 / 5

based on 34 reviews

This tour was for the adventurous. The drive from Durban to the 4x4 vehicle just outside Underberg can be long but our driver kept the conversation moving, captivating and answered so many of our questions! The tour itself was a drive to the South African border, through no mans land with the sharp turns and steep cliffs. Our guide stopped along the way to allow us to take photos, explore and revel at the majestic pass. Up top through the Lesotho border you can explore a few small local shops, before heading to a local village to have some of the most delicious bread and beer I’ve ever tasted. You learn about the culture, challenges and history of the local Zulu people. You then head back towards to border for a lunch stop at the highest pub before making the slow drive back down the Sani pass to the SA border. Each way up and down the Sani pass is about an hour and half, and very bumpy!

Great tour with wonderful guides! The landscape of the area is fantastically beautiful, the trip over the Sani Pass brings the necessary portion of action. The tour was well organized and the guides gave interesting insights and valuable tips about the tour but also about all other topics. It was a very long day with a lot of time in the car, not a typical trip where you drive to a destination, but more "the journey is the destination" but highly recommended.

Impressive trip! We clearly have problems at the border . The reservation sheet stated to bring either your ID or your travel pass. We only had our ID with us. This proved insufficient at the border. We would then only be allowed in if we would pay extra. We declined this. In the end we were allowed to pass after much commotion . Strange that our guide didn't already inform us at the hotel that only a travel pass was needed.

It was an unforgettable experience. The weather was a bit bad and it rained the day before. I'm glad I was able to experience that. The guide (Elias) was great. He knew a lot and discovered the smallest movements of animals. We can only recommend this trip. The view alone, even in bad weather, is phenomenal.

Ride on the Sanipass in persistent rain. From 2300 m transition to snowfall. On arrival at the pass about 15 cm of snow. Unfortunately no view on the pass, below the clouds imposing topography.