Sani Pass Specialist Birding Tour
The Sani Pass is a must-do trip for any serious birder, because it provides the only easy access globally to the Drakensberg Rockjumper, Drakensberg Siskin and Mountain Pipit. En route one has the chance, dependent on the season to see difficult-to-find birds such as Barratt’s Warbler, Fan-tailed Grass (Broad-tailed) Warbler and Bush Blackcap, whilst other narrowly distributed endemics such as Gurney’s Sugarbird and Buff-streaked Chat are present. In the alpine zone, several western species such as Grey Tit, Sickle-winged Chat, Layard’s Warbler and Fairy Flycatcher may be found, whilst this is probably the best place to search for the highly endangered Bearded Vulture.
Within easy reach of Himeville/Underberg, there are other habitats such as the mist belt forest, grasslands and wetlands. The forests are home to the rare Cape Parrot and Orange Thrush, and other species such as Chorister Robin, Forest Canary and Yellow-throated Warbler. This general area is home to all three of the southern African crane species (Grey Crowned, Wattled and Blue), the very rare Blue Swallow and the enigmatic seldom-recorded Short-tailed Pipit and Black-rumped Buttonquail.
Special Rates
Special rates are available for pensioners, please contact us for more information.
Special Group Rates for the Sani Pass Birding Tour
Contact us for group rates, from 3 or more!
| DEPARTURE/RETURN LOCATION | Himeville/Underberg – We arrange our departures from our day tours office at the Stables Market Place on the Sani Road, just outside the village of Himeville (view map), alternatively we can pick you up from your accommodation. | |
| DEPARTURE TIME | Departure approx. 06.00 AM. | |
| RETURN TIME | Approximately 4.00 PM – 6.00 PM. | |
| WEAR | Bring along something warm as there is a chance of experiencing all four seasons in one day! | |
| INCLUDED IN THE SANI PASS BIRDING TOUR |
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| DO NOT FORGET | Your passports (and VISA if required) Unabridged birth certificate for under 18’s Camera Binoculars Cash |
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| VISA REQUIREMENTS | Please click here for Lesotho VISA requirements. |
About Sani Pass
Sani Pass is on the outskirts of Underberg and Himeville in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. It links South Africa to the mountain-kingdom of Lesotho. For a number of years the pass has given many an adventure that gets the heart racing – beginning in 1948, when the first man braved the treacherous animal track up the mountain. In 1955 it was opened to vehicle traffic – giving more 4×4 drivers the opportunity to navigate this adventurous path. Still to this day only 4×4 vehicles are permitted to take this route into the ‘Kingdom in the Sky’ – Lesotho – because of the type of terrain vehicles have to negotiate and the steep climb of 1332m – to an altitude on the top of 2876m.
Additional information
| Destination | Lesotho, Maloti-Drakensberg Park, Sani Pass |
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| Groupsize | Minimum 2 |
