This long weekend is a must for any 4x4 or sports utility enthusiast; if you have not yet "tamed the dragon" you can now safely do so in the comfort of your own vehicle with Bhejane 4x4 Adventures. Though the Sani Pass is awesome, no previous 4x4 experience is required and you will be in radio contact with your tour leader at all times.

This adventure traverses Lesotho from east to west over the highest mountain passes in Africa and includes a visit to the mighty Katse Dam.  Our overnight stops are spent in the comfort of Cariad Heights Guest House in the Natal Midlands and the Bella Rosa Guest House in the Eastern Free State.

The Adventure

Starting in the picturesque village of Himeville we drive through the foothills of the majestic Drakensberg and cross the border into Lesotho at the base of the Sani Pass.

On reaching the top of the pass, we celebrate with a drink in the warm comfort of the Sani Top Hotel, reputed to be the highest pub in Africa. We traverse the Mountain Kingdom of Lesotho from east to west along the highest navigable road in Africa, across the Lettsing Pass, which is 3270m above sea level and return to South Africa in the west at the town of Ficksburg.

Returning to Lesotho we visit the mighty Katse Dam, traversing some of the most spectacular mountain passes in Southern Africa.

Our "homes away from home" during this adventure, The Himeville Arms Hotel in the Natal Midlands and the Bella Rosa Guest House in the Eastern Free State will not only provide us with comfortable accommodation, but will also give us a taste of local history and cuisine.

Please do not expect to do any "vehicle breaking" off road driving on this adventure, as we will do a large percentage of the route on tar roads. The only "REALY TOUGH' driving will be Sani Pass itself, and here we will practice extreme care.

The Team

As we will be making use of formal accommodation and there will be no camping or cooking in the field, the crew will consist of only your tour leader and his assistant, who will provide you with tasty picnic lunches and assist where and whenever necessary.

Your tour leader is an experienced nature conservationist and adventure guide. He will be in radio contact with you at all times and impart a wealth of biological, cultural, historic and 4-wheel drive safety knowledge.

Adventure itinerary

Day 1:

We meet at the Himeville Arms Hotel at 17h00. After checking in and getting settled, we get together in the restaurant at about 19h00 to get to know each other and enjoy a hearty a-la-carte dinner. Your guide will elaborate on the plans for the rest of the trip.

Day 2:

After a good nights rest and a big breakfast we issue each vehicles with a two way, hand held radio. Having done radio and safety checks we head east through the foothills of the Drakendgerg, from where we can see the awesome Sani Pass getting ever closer.

We stop en route to admire the magnificent vistas and peaceful mountain surrounds. At the base of the pass we leave South Africa and enter Lesotho through the Sani Border Post.

With a great sense of achievement on reaching the top of the pass we check through the Lesotho border post and celebrate, replenish our energy with a hot drink and warm ourselves at the Sani Top Hotel.

Once again heading west we cross the highest navigable road in Africa at the top of the Letsing Pass at 3270m above sea level.

Winding our way through the famous Oxbow River System, which is the main catchment area for Lesotho Highlands Water Scheme, and having a picnic lunch along the way, we head for our next overnight stop at the Bella Rosa Guest House in Ficksburg.

Day 3:

Once again, after a good nights sleep and a hearty breakfast, we head back into Lesotho to visit the awesome Katsi Dam. This vast reservoir is the source of most of the water supply to the Gauteng Province, and here we are taken on a fascinating tour of the dam, giving us an insight to its history, construction and the vital role it plays in the water supply to South Africa.

After a picnic lunch, we head back across the Maluti Mountains to the comfort of the Bella Rosa in Ficksburg to yet another evening spent with good company over a superb dinner.

Day 4:

Sadly this is our last day, after another hearty breakfast we head for the hills to do a short but fascinating 4x4 route through the red sandstone hills outside Ficksburg. At about 10h00, we bid you farewell as you take to the road to head home.