Sani Pass Day Tour from Durban
Description
Without a doubt the Sani Pass is one of the most spectacular and scenic mountain passes in Africa. This tour is a must if you are travelling to Kwa-Zulu Natal. The Pass winds steeply through the summit of the Drakensberg and through the Lesotho border post. Many adventurous travellers from across the world include this on their itineraries in order to traverse the breathtaking natural scenery this precarious mountain has to offer. The guided tour does not require any physical fitness and therefore encourages people of all ages. You will collected at 6:00 from your accommodation in Durban and return at approximately 18:00 depending on weather and traffic. The tour packs a big punch with unforgettable views. You will leave having conquered the highest and most iconic pass that Southern Africa has to offer.
Tour Options
Itinerary
This tour is for all ages and fitness levels. The duration of this tour is approximately 6 hours with a transfer of approximately 2.5 hours from Durban and the same on return. You will depart at 6:00 from your accommodation in Durban. If you are staying outside of Durban please contact us to confirm if there is a surcharge necessary. Please bring your valid Passport and It is advisable to bring a warm jacket, an extra bottle of water, sunscreen, binoculars and your camera. During your drive from Durban you will pass the historic town of Pietermaritzburg and then turn off towards the Southern Drakensberg mountains. As you get drive further into the mountains you will pass small picturesque rural villages and vast farmlands. On arrival in Underberg you will be met by a professional Sani Pass guide and will transfer to a 4x4 vehicle. You will drive past farmlands and the foothills of the Drakensberg towards the South African border control. Then the tour begins in earnest. You will climb 1000 metres on a gravel road in for 8 kilometres through a World Heritage site and magnificent scenery to the Lesotho border post. At the top you will reach an elevation of 2840 metres. During the climb up the pass you may see a variety of bird life, eland, baboons and small buck. Endemic fauna and flora are abundant through this world heritage site. After the Lesotho border control you will head into the remote Lesotho Highlands. You may even get to see some of the elusive Basotho shepherds covered with traditional blankets and wearing traditional head attire. You will visit a small village which was originally built to assist the local shepherds and see their stone houses. Your guide will give an explanation of their way of life and daily rituals. Thereafter you will head towards the Highest Pub in Africa for lunch and drinks (at your own cost). Perched on the edge of the Escarpment you will have excellent photo opportunities from the front decks of the Restaurant. After lunch you will go back via the border and wind down through the astonishing Sani Pass bends which is one of the most spectacular scenes in Africa. With a full tummy and lots of memories you will be met by your driver for your transfer back to Durban. A real opportunity to see not only the magnificence of this pass but a different country as wel
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
Departure Point: Your accommodation in Central Durban or within a 25km radius Northward to Umhlanga and Southwards just before Amanzimtoti, and Westwards to Westville.
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Please bring a warm clothing as it can get cold at the summit.
- Bring an extra bottle of water, sunscreen, sunglasses, binoculars and cameras.
- Passports essential
- Check visa requirements
Reviews(7)
Amazing experience!! A super smooth ride from Durban to Sani Pass + Lesotho and back all in the same day in a comfortable vehicle! Everyone was so nice and the pictures of Sani Pass do NOT do the Drakensburg justice.. the landscape blew me away and it was truly the highlight of the entire trip even though everything else we saw on our trip was amazing! As mentioned, everyone from the organizer to the guide to the driver were super friendly and gave us lots of good insight and history and background along with the experience itself! Would love to travel with them again!!
Thank you for this amazing review Michael. We are delighted that you had such an amazing experience. We hope to welcome you back in the near future :)
I made this reservation at the last minute, and I worked with Yolanda on the phone. She was able to put together a very last minute trip for me and my friend, and coordinated a ride from the cruise terminal in Durban with Xolani to Underberg, where we changed vehicles and did the Sani Pass trip with Patrick. Patrick was excellent, and gave us the history of the area. We crossed the border into Lesotho, and drove to a village and met with the villagers, who shared their culture and dance/songs with us. The weather wasn’t perfect, but the day was, and we got to see so much in a short amount of time. I would highly recommend Major Adventures for this trip!
We had a wonderful time on this tour. Our guide Allen was extremely knowledgeable about both South Africa and Basotho and masterfully drove up the difficult pass. We saw baboons, danced with Basotho locals, and got some breathtaking views.
Good afternoon Samuel. We love hearing back from our Guests on their tour with Major Adventures. People definitely underestimate the Sani Pass drive, but with our long standing Guides they are well equipped with experience to tackle that terrain. Thank you for your feedback and we are very proud it was a successful Major Adventure with us! Take care xx
The expirience was amazing. Driver was very expiriences, the people that we met were international young students and they were fun to be with. We helped each other. Lesoto people were great. Defenately a warm jacket was useful and needed. I would advise that people bring actual cash as we had an u ha memoment when we just finished eating and the card machine declined all our bank cards from different banks😁
Good Afternoon, some very great feedback for those thinking of doing the Sani Pass Day Tour. Lesotho can get up to 10 degrees cooler than South Africa. Jackets, Sunscreen and Cash is always advised to travel with. Loadshedding plays havoc in our Country, including Lesotho, and we are very sorry that this impacted on your trip. Thank you for your review and trust you will all return one day! The Major Adventures Team
Warren the tour guide was fantastic!He was so knowledgeable about everything and real’y took his time to make sure our tour was flawless.We did have a pick up from Durban which was not organised that well so we would suggest confirming this with Major adventures the night before!Other than that,get a tour with Warren!He is the BEST!
Hi Alexandra. We are pleased to hear you enjoyed your Sani Pass tour into Lesotho with Warren. Regarding the transfer from Durban - we depend on clients providing us with the exact pickup address in Durban. While Cameron gave us a pickup address, this is not where the driver eventually found you both. It was a good thing that Bradley had your South African mobile number which he could give to the transfer company. Thank you again for visiting the Southern Drakensberg, and experiencing the legendary Sani Pass. We wish you a happy Christmas and wonderful 2023. Gardi Major
We were with a travellers group. In 4 jeeps the very skilled drivers drove us through the Sanipass and told us about the flora and fauna in the surroundings as well as the history in that place. Seeing nature changing the higher we drove was extraordinary. Never felt and tasted such cold and fresh water from the mountains. The views were amazing and being in Lesotho was beautiful, again experiencing another culture within a culture.
Dear Marloes. Thank you very much for the great review, and the tons of beautiful photographs taken of your trip with your mother. Apologies for the late reply. Wishing you a snowy but cosy Christmas foryou and your family in the Netherlands. Bradley
We had an amazing day with our guide Elias. He was a wealth of valuable knowledge. The drive up the Sani Pass was gorgeous. Don’t leave Lesotho off your itinerary! It makes for a very long day if you’re coming from Durban, but it’s worth it and completely doable!
Wow, thank you Sarah for a delightful feedback. The trip is so worth it, the views are breathtaking and Elias parts with such knowledgeable information, it makes one just feel part of the peoples culture! We are thrilled you had a great trip and look forward to seeing you again on your next visit to SA!
