Visit to Lesotho: Mountain passes and culture

You leave the morning from Underberg richting de slingerende Sani Pass. This spectacular mountain pass takes you to the kingdom of Lesotho. Halfway through the morning you will stop for a drink and a drink at Sani Top Chalet, the highest pub in Africa. Another 18-kilometer ride and a 450-meter climb will take you to the top of the Kotisepola, also known as the Black Mountain. From here you have a beautiful view of the highest peak in southern Africa: Thabana Ntlenyana.

Then Number 10 Riverside you will get an introduction to the culture of the Basotho people where you will meet a traditional healer (Ngaka). The day ends at St James Mission where you will visit the church with a special ceiling. Here you spend the night and an evening meal will be served.

After breakfast you drive deeper into Lesotho towards St. Theresa’s. You drive through the Linakaneng (or Dinakaneng) Valley to the Sani River. Along the way you will of course enjoy the beautiful scenery and perhaps spot birds of prey or the rare ones Bearded Vulture. Once arrived at St. Theresa’s you meet farther Gabriel who gives you an interesting perspective on the difference between western and traditional healing from the Roman Catholic point of view.

After a short drive you will arrive at your accommodation address, Mashai Guest Lodge. Here dinner will be served.

After breakfast at Mashai the journey continues in a southerly direction and you will experience an ” African Massage ” on the unpaved roads. Along the river we stop for lunch and to stretch our legs. You will visit the ancient rock drawings and admire the rare Spiral Aloe. This special plant is the national plant of Lesotho. Finally, you will drive through the beautiful Sehlabathebe National Park where you will also have dinner and spend the night. This park is located in the Maloti Mountains and the average altitude is 2400 meters above sea level. This is a very remote area and only accessible with a 4×4 vehicle.

Both before and after breakfast you can take a walk / hike through this beautiful park that consists of beautiful rock formations of sandstone and special plants. Then it is time to return to the starting pint of this journey This time you use the Ramatislitso border post and drive via the Eastern Cape province to Underberg. Along the way will be stopped for lunch or lunch in Underberg.

Do you want to support the local population of Lesotho? Then buy a ‘Care pack’ at the office before or after your tour. There is a choice of a Family Meal Care Pack (food package), Educational Care Pack (pens, notebooks, pencils etc.) and Feminine Care Pack (sanitary napkin etc). Cost of R50 each.

For the travel package you must bring a valid passport.

Because Lesotho is at a high altitude (the lowest point in the country is 1400 meters above sea level), it is in general early in the morning and in the evening cold and there is a chance of snow in the winter months. The Basotho population uses blankets as a shawl to stay warm in the winter. So bring warm clothing and closed shoes. The temperature can rise during the day, especially in the summer.

You drive a lot on unpaved and winding roads. If necessary, bring something against motion sickness.