Driving through the pretty Midlands, you head for the town of Underberg, where the tar road runs out and the graded track begins. Lesotho is isolated from KwaZulu-Natal by the towering Drakensberg Mountains, and the Sani Pass is the only way through them. The road cuts the slopes, switching through tortuous hairpin bends and offering dizzying views of valleys far below.
At the top of the pass is a border post into Lesotho, and once in Lesotho you can visit a traditional Sotho village, or have lunch and a drink at the Sani Top Chalet, home of the highest pub in Africa. On your way back through KwaZulu-Natal, you may like to stop at one of the many craft stalls in The Midlands.
To drive up the Sani Pass you will need a 4x4 vehicle.
Start planning your tailor-made trip by contacting one of our South Africa specialists
These activities are designed to give you the most authentic experiences around where you're staying. We work with local guides, who use their knowledge and often a resident's eye to show you the main sights and more out-of-the-way attractions. Our specialists can suggest tours and activities that will introduce you to the local ways of life.
Anglo-Zulu Battlefields Trip
With a good guide book to hand, the battlefields of Rorke's Drift and Isandlwana can be explored on your own. It is perhaps best to start at Isandlwana, overlooking the battlefield from the ridge occupied by the Zulu commander, before making your way down to the sphinx-shaped hill where the heart of the battle unfolded.
Shakaland Trip
Shakaland is where the famous film Shaka Zulu was filmed, and after filming it was turned into a cultural village. It is the largest kraal in Zululand, and is also the site of the legendary Zulu chief's birthplace overlooking the uMhlatusi River.
You can enjoy this activity as part of the suggested tour below, or we can weave it into a trip shaped entirely around you.
