Sani Pass to Mokhotlong: 9.5-hour Lesotho highlands tour

Beyond the pass: 60km into Lesotho's highlands and remote villages

A 9.5-hour guided 4×4 tour from Underberg that crosses Sani Pass into Lesotho and travels 60km beyond the summit into the Mountain Kingdom's remote highlands. The route includes Black Mountain and views of Thabana Ntlenyana (Southern Africa's highest peak), the trading town of Mokhotlong, and the secluded village of Makhapung, where you meet a local traditional healer and witness a ceremonial dance. Lunch is at either the Highest Pub in Africa or a local Basotho restaurant, with the return descent timed to arrive back in Underberg by late afternoon.

Step-by-step itinerary

Full-day Lesotho Highlands tour

• Depart from Underberg or Himeville
• Stop at South African Border Post
• Travel through Sani Pass landscapes
• Stop at Lesotho Border Post and shop
• Visit Black Mountain viewpoint
• Tour Mokhotlong trading town
• Visit Makhapung village and healer
• Enjoy lunch at Highest Pub or local restaurant
• Descend Sani Pass
• Return to Underberg or Himeville

What’s included

• Bottled water.
• Lesotho Tourism Levy and Community Levy.
• all activities at each stop.
• professionally guided 4×4 tour with English-speaking guide.
• pickup from Underberg or Himeville.

Times

• Every day 08:00

Another time? ›

Before you book

Group Up to 23

Live guide English

Meeting point and pickup Hotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Ages Adult (12 and older) · Child (1 to 11 years)

Cancellation and refunds Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Good to know

Low physical effort Public transport nearby

Operated by Lesotho On Track

Prices and times updated today

Need assistance?Message us on WhatsApp or by email›

Traveler reviews

5.00 ★★★★★ Exceptional 6 verified traveler reviews

Read all the reviews ›

The experience

If you have a full day free and want more than a quick stop at the Sani Pass summit, this tour pushes 60km deeper into Lesotho's highlands than most visitors go. The 4×4 vehicle handles the steep ascent and the rough mountain roads beyond, leaving you to take in the landscape and the culture without managing the drive. Pickup happens from Underberg or Himeville depending on where you're staying, and the guide handles the border posts: both the South African checkpoint at the base and the Lesotho stamp at the summit.

The real depth comes after the pass. Black Mountain and the Thabana Ntlenyana viewpoint show you why the peaks matter here. Mokhotlong, the trading hub of the highlands, gives you a sense of how the towns actually function. Makhapung village is where the tour shifts: you meet the local traditional healer, witness a ceremonial dance, and see how daily life unfolds in a place most outsiders never reach. The guide is English-speaking and leads the whole day, so context comes as you move through each stop rather than as a separate lecture.

Lunch lands at either the Highest Pub in Africa (subject to availability) or a local Basotho restaurant, your choice, before the descent back down the pass. Bottled water, the Lesotho Tourism Levy, and the Community Levy are included. The guide and the 4×4 are part of the package. Children from age 1 are welcome, and the tour suits all fitness levels, though the vehicle does the heavy work and the altitude (you'll be well above 2,000 meters) is something to be aware of.

Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (1 to 11 years).

What is Thabana Ntlenyana and why does the tour stop there?

Thabana Ntlenyana is Southern Africa's highest peak, and the tour stops at the Black Mountain viewpoint to show it to you. The vantage point is one of the signature views in the Lesotho highlands, and the guide will explain why the peak matters to the region.

What happens when we reach the Sani Pass summit?

At the Lesotho Border Post on the summit, you'll have your passport stamped to enter the country. There's time for local curio shopping and a visit to an authentic Basotho home before the tour continues deeper into the highlands.

What is the Highest Pub in Africa and will we definitely eat there?

The Highest Pub in Africa is a bar and restaurant at high altitude in Lesotho, and it's one of two lunch options on the tour. It's subject to availability, so if it's not open or full, you'll eat at a local Basotho restaurant instead. Your guide will let you know which one on the day.

How much of the day is spent driving versus walking around?

The 4×4 covers the long distances: the pass ascent, the 60km into the highlands, and the return descent. At each stop (Black Mountain, Mokhotlong, Makhapung village), you get out to explore and meet people, but the tour is built around the route and the views from the vehicle as much as the walking.

Do we need a passport to cross into Lesotho?

Yes, a valid passport is required to enter Lesotho. The guide will handle the border posts, but you'll need your passport with you. Visas are not included if required for your nationality. Check your entry requirements before booking.