LESOTHO KZN ADVENTURES

  Hiking in Lesotho and the Southern Drakensberg Bushman rock art in the Southern Drakensberg and LEsotho Horse riding in the Southern Drakensberg and Lesotho Birding in the Southern Drakensberg and LEsotho  

 

Lesotho/KZN Adventures

 

 

Get close to nature.

 

Hiking Giants Cup 
Hiking Lesotho 3 days
Hiking Lesotho 4 days 

See paintings from thousands of years ago.

 

Bushman Rock Art 

A bird watching, guided tour of Southern Drakensberg and Lesotho.

 

Birding

Take a scenic ride through the mountains.

 

Horse Riding Day Trip
2 nights & 3 days
5 nights & 6 days

See photos of our activities...

 

 

 

Giants Cup Hiking Trail
4 nights / 5 days

Day 1
6 hours 13.3km

The starting point is at the foot of the famous Sani Pass, highest mountain pass in South Africa. The Ngenwa pool is suitable for a lunch break on a sunny day or, if it is raining, there is a cave a little further along the trail. After this the trail ascends through attractive country into the Pholela valley, crossing a suspension bridge to the Pholela Hut. The Pholela Hut is one of the original farmhouses and its design has been altered as little as possible. The trees in the vicinity were planted by the early settlers and are mainly exotic, incl. Snow Gum, Cypress, Pines and Pin Oak.

 

Day 2
3.5 hours 
9 km

The trail ascends the long slope past Tortoise Rocks before dropping into the valley. The Mzimkhulwana Hut nestles alongside one of the tributaries close to a pool. A good lunch spot is Bathplug Cave, named after a hole in the cave floor through which water disappears. Please do not deface/write, scratch, pour water on, or touch the Bushmen Paintings on the walls. A variety of indigenous trees and flowers may be seen along the trail, incl. Cape Holly, Yellowwood, Cabbage Tree, Proteas, Tree Ferns, Watsonias and Gladioli.

 

Day 3
5.5 hours 12.2 km

Pleasant vistas present themselves on the long climb towards the Little Bamboo Mountain, named after the indigenous bamboo found here. Blue Cranes frequent the area around Crane Tarn and Scottish names such as Inverness and Stromness have been given to farms by the early Scots settlers. The Killiecrankie pools tempt one to swim in the clear, fresh mountain water. The lovely old oak trees around Winterhoek Hut were probably planted at about the turn of the country.

 

Day 4
6 hours 12.8 km

Be sure to fill your water bottle as few streams flow along this section of the trail during the dry season. There is a steep climb up the slopes of Garden Castle, after which the trail is relatively level to Swiman Hut.

 

Day 5
4 hours 12 km

From Swiman Hut the trail crosses into the wide Mzimude valley, climbs again towards the fire look-out post passing Langalibalele cave which has Bushmen Paintings. Here again please do not deface/write, scratch, pour water on, or touch the paintings. Sleeping in Langalibalele cave is prohibited. The Bushmen’s Nek Hut is on a short spur off the trail and can be by-passed by those not spending the night there. The trail ends at the parking area close to the Reserve entry point.

Included:

  • Qualified Guide
  • Transfers to/from starting/ending points
  • Accommodation costs
  • Entry Fees
  • Gas cooker, cooking utensils, etc.

Excluded:

  • Food, Beverages & Alcohol
  • Personal expenses
  • Personal insurances
  • Sleeping bags
  • Towels, etc.

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Lesotho Hiking Trail
2 nights / 3 days

Day 1
D

Arrival in Underberg and departure for the tour up the Sani Pass to the “Highest Pub in Africa” at 2.874m. Afternoon at leisure. Dinner at the restaurant.

 

Day 2
B,L,D

Full day guided tour up the highest mountain in Southern Africa, Thabana Ntlenyana (3.484m). Picnic lunch on route. Dinner at the restaurant.

 

Day 3
B,

Departure for Underberg via the legendary Sani Pass.

Valid passport essential!!!

Included:

  • Accommodation & Meals as indicated
  • Specialized (high altitude) Guide Fees
  • 4x4 Transport
  • Guided Walk

Excluded:

  • Personal expenses
  • Personal insurances
  • Mineral water

 

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Lesotho Hiking Trail
3 nights / 4 days

Day 1
D

Arrival in Underberg in the morning. At 09:00 departure for the tour up the Sani Pass to the “Highest Pub in Africa” at 2.874m. Afternoon at leisure. Dinner at the restaurant.

 

Day 2
B,L,D

Full day guided tour up the highest mountain in Southern Africa, Thabana Ntlenyana (3.484m). Picnic lunch on route. Dinner at the restaurant.

 

Day 3 : B,L,D

Full day guided tour up Hodgons Peak South (3.250m). This walk takes about 4 hours. On the way back guests climb the Hodgons Peak North with 3.256m for an additional 2 hours. Picnic lunch on route. Dinner at the restaurant.

 

Day 4
B

Departure for Underberg via the legendary Sani Pass.

Valid passport essential!!!!

Included:

  • Accommodation & Meals as indicated
  • Specialized (high altitude) Guide Fees
  • 4x4 Transport
  • Guided Walk

Excluded:

  • Personal expenses
  • Personal insurances
  • Mineral water

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Bushman Rock Art

A story of people who left a legacy of living in the wilderness of Africa for tens of thousand of years in harmony with nature and left hints and clues of their culture on the walls of caves and shelters in the form of incredibly artistic and spiritual paintings. Our accredited Guide will lead you to the Bushmen I San Rock Sites. The walks vary from 1 hour, 1 day or overnight Hiking Tours, depending on site chosen, time available and level of fitness. Besides the San Culture and Paintings also the fauna, flora and geology of the Ukahlamba Drakensberg Park will be explained, which is one of our World Heritage Sites.

Please take with:

Own food & drinks. 
Raincoats
Hats/jersey
Sun-tan lotion
Back-bags
Good walking shoes

On request & at an additional cost:

Porter to carry back-bags
Packed lunches
Mineral water
Water bottles
Hiking equipment (day packs, raincoats etc)
Transfers for arrival & departure of trail.

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Birding

Take a guided tour from the small KwaZulu-Natal village of Underberg through the southern Drakensberg into the highlands of Lesotho.
You will see Bush Blackcap, Ground Woodpecker and Gurney's Sugarbird whilst raveling from scrub to Protea grassland. Once at an altitude of 1.800m, one may find species such as the Drakensberg Sisken and the Drakensberg Rockjumper.
While on this tour, one may at any time see the majestic Bearded Vulture which inhabits the mountain region of Lesotho for nesting, but forages into the farmlands along the Drakensberg. A special in the highlands would be the Mountain Pipit, only seen here in summer. Due to the change in habitat, once in Lesotho several species found in the Karoo areas may be seen right across the KwaZulu-Natal border, such as the Siklewing Chat, Thick-billed Lark, Layards Tit-Barbler and others. There is always the possibility of seeing the Cape Vulture, Lanner, Falcons or Black Harriers. For a fun-filled bird spotting adventure, at the base of the Drakensberg. All tours in comfortable and enclosed 4x4 vehicles, which accommodate 4-5 guests and their equipment. Service with qualified Birding Guide.

 

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Horse Riding Day Trip 

We depart in the morning from a horse farm near Underberg. Enjoy a most beautiful ride in the mountains and wilderness area of the Ukhahlamba Drakensberg Park within a World Heritage Site. Our experienced horse guide will explain flora and fauna and the history of the mountains as well as the culture of the people living there. Picnic at the Pholea River. Return to the farm in the afternoon.

What to bring?

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Horse Riding 
Lesotho 2nights/3days 

Day 1
L,D

Departure from the hotel at 06:30. Transfer to Bushmen’s Nek border where we arrive at 08:00. It is a very scenic ride, climbing from 1.600m to 2.500m. At some areas riders have to lead horses, but generally fair riding. Picnic lunch on route. Enjoy dinner at the log fire at the lodge.

 

Day2
B,L,D

After breakfast we ride out into the Sehlabathebe wilderness area, stopping for picnic lunch at the waterfall. With a little luck we see Mountain Reedbuck, Eland, Baboons and Jackals. Scenery is dotted with mountain lakes and cave dwellings built by shepherds. Arrive back at the lodge in the afternoon for coffee or tea. Dinner at the lodge.

 

Day3
B,L

After a hearty breakfast we depart via a different route back to Bushmen’s Nek. Transfer to the hotel with Thaba Tours vehicles.

Valid passports are essential!

What to bring?

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Horse Riding 
Lesotho 5nights/6days 

Day 1
L,D

Departure from your accommodation at 06:30. Transfer in Thaba Tours vehicles to Bushmen’s Nek Border where we arrive at 08:00. We pack our horses and depart for a very scenic ride, climbing from 1.600m to 2.000m. At some areas riders have to lead the horses, but generally fair riding. Picnic lunch on route. Enjoy dinner at the log fire at the lodge. Communal bathroom.

 

Day2
B,L,D

We are leaving the lodge at 09:30 and head to the Thomathu village, climbing further 200m. Picnic lunch on route. The village is very isolated and untouched by any tourists. Enjoy home-made dinner and spend the night in local huts or tents.

 

Day3
B,L,D

Leave Thomathu village in the morning, heading towards the Devil Knuckle Mountain and Sehlabathebe village, entering the park in the south. Picnic lunch on route. Arriving back at the lodge in the afternoon.

 

Day4
B,L,D

After breakfast we ride towards the Tsoeloke River Gorge where we have our picnic lunch and a swim. We are riding south of the Sehlabathebe Wilderness area and arriving at the lodge in the afternoon.

 

Day5
B,L,D

Spend the day in the Sehlabathebe Wilderness area. Visit the shepherds shelters and viewing Bushmen Paintings. Picnic lunch at Sehlabathebe Waterfall. We may see Eland, Rehbuck, Baboons and wild horses. Arrive back at the lodge in the afternoon.

 

Day6
B,L

We leave the lodge at 09:30 and head for South Africa via the most beautiful mountain range lakes. Arrival at Bushmen’s Nek at 14:00. Transfer to the hotel or B&B in Thaba Tours vehicles.

Valid passports are essential !

Note:  The max. weight of rider is  85 kg & the max. luggage weight per rider is  10 kg, carried in saddle bags.

Included:

Accommodation & meals as indicated 
Transfer in 4x4 vehicles 
Hire of horses
Riding equipment
Guide fees
First Aid kit 
2 experienced grooms per 10 pax
Mineral water 

Excluded:

Alcohol and Beverages
Personal expenses
Personal insurances 
Riding gear
Rain ponchos 
Towels

Suggested
items :

  • Riding clothes
  • Change of clothes for evenings
  • Rain ponchos
  • Warm clothes
  • Towels & toiletries
  • Sunlotion & hats
  • Personal items (please keep to a minium)  

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Thaba Tours (4x4 Adventures) 54 Sani Road, Underberg, P.O.Box 361, Underberg, 3257 Kwa-Zulu Natal, South Africa
Tel: 0027 – (0)33 – 7012888, Fax: (0)866 5754 68, Mobile: 0027 – (0)83 – 3535958 (Ray Watt)