If you are in Durban and you are keen on exploring the breathtaking mountain kingdom of Lesotho, this 2-day Lesotho tour itinerary from Durban is the perfect way to do it.
Ascend the dramatic Sani Pass into the rugged landscape of Lesotho, experience the friendly and warm Basotho people and learn more about their culture, spend the night high in the mountain, all without the stress of planning or driving yourself.
The 2 day Lesotho Tour Itinerary
All our tours into Lesotho from Durban include the following;
- Pickup and drop-off at your accommodation in the Durban or surrounding suburbs,
- Accommodation in Lesotho (check out this post here for details),
- All meals (1 x dinner, 1 x breakfast, 2 x lunch),
- All activities (horse-riding, walks etc),
- Accompanied by qualified guides.
Day 1 : Destination Lesotho
Durban to Underberg
You will be collected by either myself or one of my guides from your accommodation in Durban at 6:00am; it is an early start but there is a lot of ground to cover!
You are welcome to bring along snacks or a packed breakfast as we will stop on the way to Underberg for a comfort break and a coffee.
Underberg to the Top of Sani Pass into Lesotho
In the little town of Underberg that lies in the shadow of the picturesque Drakensberg Mountains, you’ll have an opportunity to stop at the local supermarket to purchase any last minute items before we begin the next portion of the trip to the border.
It’s here at the border crossing that the beauty of the mountains becomes apparent; great big boulders, huge towers and overhanging rock make the progress up Sani Pass both exciting and memorable.
As the morning goes by, you’ll be stopping every so often to enjoy the bracing fresh air, take photo’s and spot any wildlife in the area including eland, baboon, vultures and whatever other creature may be around.
Finally you’ll be atop the ‘Berg (as the locals refer to the mountains) and ready for a spot of lunch – I will make sure all dietary needs are met and you will have some soft drinks and water available to go with your lunch.
A Basotho Village Experience
After lunch you’ll be escorted over to a nearby traditional, rural Basotho village. Every time I visit this village I am astounded and inspired by how these humble Basotho people are able to exist in such a harsh environment as the look after their goats.
Of course things are changing everywhere and Lesotho is no different, but things move at a much slower pace here, and perhaps that is the appeal! Not much has changed over the past few hundred years in this part of Lesotho!
At the Basotho village you’ll get to enter one of the huts and discover how they keep warm in the snowy winters, how the people cook and what their daily lives are like – it’s truly a visit worth taking.
Next up: Mokhotlong
Over the course of the afternoon you’ll head to our overnight destination in Mokhotlong. This is an easy 90 min drive through this amazing landscape. Throughout the day I’ll help passing the time by chatting to you about the history of the area.
In Mokhotlong you’ll get to check and relax after a long day on the road. If you’re feeling up for it, you are welcome to stroll and explore a bit before dinner is ready.
We can cater for almost all dietary requirements, but it’s best to give us plenty of warning. It will be obvious by the time you get to the village, but these are small villages set in the deep mountains, there is no 7-11 nearby, and mobile reception is almost non-existent so take the time to just unwind!
Notes: Accommodation and dinner are included.
Day 2: Back to Durban
On day two there are a couple of activities you can choose from to enjoy.
Breakfast and Exploring
Up nice and early for breakfast (included) and then a quick discussion on the plan for the day ahead. Then you’ll get to go for either a horse-ride through the hills (included) or if you’re not keen on being atop a horse, you can hike the top of the escarpment with me.
Depending on your choice, you’ll check out and load the car and then go and enjoy your chosen experience; no point asking me which is the better option, I love doing both!
Lunch at the Top of Sani Pass
Once done with your activity, it’s time set off again and you’ll arrive at the top of the pass around about lunch time once again.
Here, on the edge of the mountains, you can enjoy a delicious lunch while gazing over the extraordinary view from the top of Sani Pass into KwaZulu-Natal, sometimes all the way to Durban!
Sani Pass into Underberg
At around 1pm it’ll be time to once again pack up and make the descend back into South Africa using the famed Sani Pass and it’s hairpin bends. Not to worry though, all the guides I work with (and I) are great drivers!
On the way back down in the afternoons we often spot basking hyrax or baboons enjoying the late afternoon sun! The trip down is usually quite a bit faster than the trip up, not as many stops for photo opportunities.
Underberg to Durban
Finally after crossing back through the border (remember to apply for a multi-entry visa when travelling to South Africa) you’ll be back in South Africa and passing through the town of Underberg at around 3:30pm.
You’ll have an opportunity for a comfort break before we take to the road and make our way back to Durban, arriving at around 6:30pm depending on the traffic.
What’s Included
- Professional, registered tour guide and driver,
- All 4×4 transport (Durban to Lesotho and back),
- Lesotho border fees and entry permits,
- 1 night accommodation in a mountain lodge,
- Activities (hiking or horse-riding or just chilling),
- Meals as listed in the itinerary,
- Guided village visit and cultural experience.
What to Bring
- Valid passport (with multiple-entry visa if required),
- Warm clothing (even in summer — mountain weather can change quickly),
- Good pair of walking boots / shoes,
- Camera, sunscreen, hat, and comfortable shoes,
- Sense of adventure and curiosity.
The End: 2 Day Lesotho Tour Itinerary
And that is the end of our 2 day Lesotho tour itinerary from Durban. Of course on the way back from Lesotho instead of travelling directly to Durban you could do one of the following;
- Head straight to Rorkes Drift and enjoy an overnight battlefields tour including iSandlwana and Fugitives Drift,
- Visit Nambiti for a few days on a private safari experience,
- Spend a night in Howick on the way to Durban and visit the Nelson Mandela Capture site, Piggly Wiggly and the Howick Falls,
- Spend a night in Durban and then head north for a fantastic safari experience to the Hluhluwe Imfolozi Game Reserve with an included estuary cruise at St Lucia.
For more information on my 2 day Lesotho tour itinerary from Durban, either get in touch with me via my contact page or visit the tour page and use the convenient contact form.
Until next time…
