Lesotho Trips from Durban

Written by Viator, August 2010

RECOMMENDATION Keywords:
Cultural Experience, Off-the-Beaten Path

They call Lesotho the "Kingdom in the Sky," a peaceful and independent monarchy protected in the peaks of the dramatic Drakensberg and Maluti Mountains. This is Africa's windswept and waterfall-streaked granite crown; Lesotho is the world’s highest-altitude nation, at its lowest point a dizzying 1,400 meters (4,592 feet) above sea level. Though entirely surrounded by the hazy heat of the South African lowlands, its defensible position and determined populace kept it autonomous through the last tumultuous decades of apartheid.

Many travelers begin their trip in sunny, seaside Durban, South Africa, some 600 kilometers (372 miles) from Lesotho's capital, Maseru. While it’s certainly possible to travel through the poor but quite safe kingdom on your own, Lesotho's rugged terrain and lack of infrastructure make this a time-consuming proposition. If you're in a hurry, consider making the spectacular ascent into the deep blue sky as a 13-hour day trip from Durban, rated by David Whitley as one of the region's best.

Climb to the kingdom through steep and spectacular Sani Pass, threaded with an unpaved, 4WD-only road of stunning views and hairpin switchbacks. Head to a traditional Lesotho village, where you'll enjoy learning about traditional Basotho culture. Other destinations include waterfalls, scenic overlooks, and Sani Top Chalet, "the highest pub in Africa."

If you've got a few days to explore Lesotho on your own (really worth it for hikers), you'll find natural treasures such as Semonkong Falls, which drops some 200 meters (656 feet) from the cliffs; and man-made wonders including the massive Mohale Dam Project; Lesotho is southern Africa's most important watershed.

If you particularly enjoyed your introduction to Basotho culture on the Mountain Splendor tour, you may also appreciate a visit to the Shakaland-Zulu Cultural Center, also easily accessible from Durban on the KwaZulu-Natal north coast.

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All Lesotho Trips from Durban Reviews

Reply by Viator, February 2013
Doing what: Mountain Splendor -The Kingdom of Lesotho

If you are in Durban don't miss this tour, its absolutely a must with excellent scenery and great experience going up(and down) Sani Pass. Our guide was very nice with great knowledge and we were very lucky with the weather, great views all the way

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Reply by Viator, June 2012
Doing what: Mountain Splendor -The Kingdom of Lesotho

Highly recommended. This is a great opportunity to learn about natives, other than Zulus, and to visit their homes.

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Reply by Viator, January 2012
Doing what: Mountain Splendor -The Kingdom of Lesotho

This was a great trip it does take 12-14 hours and the road is rough,but the scenery is wonderful you feel like you have been transported to another time when you reach Lesotho.

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