Highlights of Lesotho, 4 Day Tour from Durban
The mountain kingdom of Lesotho is out-of-this world for its sheer mountain beauty. Combine that with its unique culture where the people have combined a 21st approach to certain day-to-day activities whilst holding onto their culturally unique way-of-life and it blends into an amazing experience.
We have perfected a 3-day Lesotho tour departing from Underberg. which incorporates many of the top things to do in Lesotho, despite being on a time budget.
Many of our guests are using Durban as a starting point for our very popular Lesotho Highlights tour and we have thus created this special 4 day Lesotho highlights tour starting in Durban.
Of course, Lesotho has even more amazing things to do and see, but we feel that this tour has become a favourite because it packs so much into just 4 days of overland in Lesotho!
Sani Pass, Lesotho Cultural Immersion, Drakensberg Bushmen Paintings, Dinosaur Footprints, Modern-day Cave Dwellers and Semonkong…
Please have a look at our itinerary for more detailed info of this tour.
Travelling in a group larger then 2? Contact us before booking so we can ensure you get the correct booking at the correct rate.
| DEPARTURE/RETURN LOCATION | Durban – We arrange our departure from your accommodation. | |
| DEPARTURE TIME | 8.00 AM.
We can also start the Lesotho tour from Underberg. |
|
| RETURN TIME | Approximately 7-8 PM on day 4 in Durban. | |
| WEAR | In the warmer months (October – March)– dress in light-weight clothing but bring a warm jacket, as the weather can change drastically. In the colder months (April – September) – dress very warmly. | |
| INCLUDED |
|
|
| DO NOT FORGET | Your passports (and VISA if required) Camera Personal Items, including warm clothing and comfortable shoes Cash |
|
| VISA REQUIREMENTS | Please click here for Lesotho VISA requirements. |
Additional information
| Groupsize | Minimum 2 |
|---|---|
| Location | Lesotho |
4-Day / 3-Night Lesotho Tour Itinerary
Accommodation – 3 nights in Dinner, Bed and Breakfast accommodation in Lesotho:
- Mantsebo or El Paso Guest House in Mokhotlong
- Botleng Guest House on the outskirts of Maseru
- Semonkong Lodge in Semonkong
We use the best accommodation available on our route through Lesotho, some of it is basic, but over the years we have found the nicest, most authentic places to stay, please contact us should you require further information.
Highlights of the Lesotho 4-Day Tour:
Day 1:
* The legendary Sani Pass, gateway to the “Kingdom in the Sky” – Lesotho
* A look into the rural lifestyle of the people living in the highlands of Lesotho
Day 2:
* Roof of Africa Route – amazing views from the top of Africa!
* Bushman Paintings – an intriguing look into the history of the nomadic Bushmen
* Dinosaur Footprints – dating back thousands of years at the Subeng stream
* Kome Caves – unique cave dwellings that date back to the time when cannibals inhabited Lesotho
Day 3:
* Thaba Bosiu – the epicenter of Lesotho’s culture and history
* Capital City – Maseru, a thriving African CBD
* Semonkong
Day 4:
* Basotho Blanket Presentation
* Optional Pony Trek in the Mountains of Mokhotlong
* Maletsunyane Falls – one of the longest single-drop falls in Africa
Itinerary:
Day 1:
* Depart at 08:00 from Durban and head to the aptly named town of Underberg, located under the Drakensberg mountains. In our guided 4WD vehicle, we proceed into Lesotho via Sani Pass.
* The Sani Pass climbs from 1,500m to 2,874m ASL, with the last 8 km climbing nearly 1,000m ASL. The famous switchbacks overlooking the South African valleys are spectacular.
* Continue climbing to the top of Black Mountain Pass at 3,240m ASL.
* The remote villages of the Sani Top and Mokhotlong areas are some of the most isolated in Lesotho. Get an inside look at the people living in this tough environment with a visit to a village.
Day 2:
* The route from Sani Top to Thaba Bosiu is often called the Roof of Africa route. We’ve already conquered Sani Pass and Black Mountain Pass. Today we tackle Taeeng Pass at 3,225m and Motebong Pass at 2,820m. Along the way, we pass by Letseng Diamond Mine, the world’s highest diamond mine, and Afriski Mountain Resort, along with countless villages and picturesque scenes.
* We descend into the lowlands of the Thaba Bosiu area and visit the Bushman Paintings at Liphofung around 16:00.
* The area of Lesotho here is more built up than the remote highlands where we started the day.
* Along the way, we’ll stop to see Dinosaur Footprints – dating back thousands of years at the Subeng River. If the river is in flood, these ancient footprints are hidden, but usually, the water levels are low enough for us to see them.
* We now leave the main road to Maseru and head to the Kome Caves, home to modern cave-dwellers. These caves were originally inhabited by clans escaping the Lifqane wars and cannibalism.
* Check-in at Botleng Guest House around 18:00.
Day 3:
* Breakfast at 07:00, depart at approximately 08:30.
* We make our way to Thaba Bosiu along back roads that pass through many rural villages.
* Thaba Bosiu is a cultural center of immense importance to Lesotho and its history.
* From Thaba Bosiu, we drive into the capital city, Maseru, for lunch around 13:00. This gives a good understanding of modern-day city life in Lesotho and its blend with the country’s rich culture.
* At 15:00, we head back into the highlands of Lesotho, traveling through Mantsa Pass to the highland town of Semonkong.
* Depending on the weather and water levels, we may stop at the Maletsunyane Falls for a beautiful sunset before checking into Semonkong.
* Check-in at Semonkong Lodge around 17:30.
Day 4:
* Breakfast at 07:30.
* Hike/4WD drive to Maletsunyane Falls – an incredible opportunity to explore the history and significance of the special Basotho clothing, with an in-depth Basotho Blanket presentation.
* Depart the Lesotho highlands via passes that lead into South Africa at Qacha’s Nek. We make our way through the last remote villages of Lesotho, cross the Senqu River (which we first saw on Day 1), and follow it along the Senqu River valleys toward the border town of Qacha’s Nek.
* Once back in South Africa, we typically arrive in Matatiele around 13:00 for lunch.
* From Matatiele, we skirt alongside the Drakensberg Mountains and return to Underberg along scenic back roads, arriving around 15:00-16:00.
* After a quick coffee stop, we arrange the transfer back to Durban, either to the airport or your accommodation of choice.
