Major Adventures

Major Adventures

Description

Let us take you on a journey of discovery through this enchanting part of Africa. A tour up the famous Sani Pass will enable you to explore the Drakensberg Mountains and the Kingdom of Lesotho - a trip you will not forget.......
Apart from being a nature lover's paradise, the district offers the enthusiast hiking trails, rock art sites, bird watching, horse rides and plenty more.

THE SANI PASS TOUR

The awe-inspiring Sani Pass climbs the face of the escarpment to an altitude of 2874m and into the "Mountain Kingdom of Lesotho". It is the getaway to the "Roof of Africa". The scenery is breathtaking and attracts visitors from all over the world.
Originally developed as a bridal path in 1913, the pass served as an important link between the Underberg district and the remote settlement of Mokhotlong, in north-eastern Lesotho. The first vehicle negotiated the path in 1948. It is now used for the most part by 4x4 vehicles and has become the highlight of the Southern Drakensberg.
The tour will reveal the history of the pass, geology of the mountains, flora & fauna, and a unique experience with the Basotho people. The highest pub in Africa offers a cold beer & lunch before the descent back to Underberg.


Valid passports are essential. Bring warm clothes, cameras, binoculars, etc.

LESOTHO TOURS

Nine-tenths of the 30500 square kilometer state of Lesotho is comprised of a huge mass of volcanic basalt - nearly 1500 metres thick - forming some of the highest mountains in Southern Africa. This great highland, known as the "Roof of Africa", was the result of a large-scale eruption which occurred about 150 million years ago, covering the brilliant yellow to red layer of cave sandstone, formed by layers of compacted wind-blown sand.
Between the mighty Drakensberg on the eastern side and the Maluti range in the west, lies more than 200kilometres of mountain spurs & valleys with waterfalls, gorges & deep pools.
It is in these mountains that Major Adventures explores the remote villages, and experiences the culture & traditions of the Basotho people.

Lesotho boasts an average of more than 300 glorious sunshine days per year. The winters are cold with iced waterfalls and occasional snow-capped mountains. In the summer months thunderstorms are common, sparkling trout streams flow strong & the mountains come alive with spectacular shows of flowers & birdsong.

Tour
Eastern Highlands
An overnight tour via the spectacular Sani Pass and into the remote highlands of Lesotho. Stop off at the "Highest Pub in Africa". Visit local villages & immerse yourself in the culture & simplicity of the Basotho people. Stay at an old trading post where you can enjoy a braai outside and absorb "real Africa" or gather around the warmth and comfort of a log fire. The following day, hike in the mountains or take a pony ride before the return journey back to Underberg.

Duration 2 days
Price R1840 pp (Self-catering) Price
Min 2 people • Valid passports are essential. Bring warm clothes, cameras, binoculars etc.
 

Tailor-made Tours
If you have special requirements or your own ideas, we can assist you in planning an enjoyable tour into this magnificent country.

SAN ROCK ART TOUR

The San Bushmen were the original inhabitants of Southern Africa for many thousands of years. They were the creators of Africa's deep cultural past. Their only surviving monument to this achievement is their rock art, which is to be found in great variety in the Drakensberg.They existed as nomadic hunter-gatherers. Their shamanistic (medicine man) approach enabled them to survive in this harsh environment. They lived close to nature, were generous and hospitable people and killed only for their own survival.
Unfortunately due to the arrival of both the Zulu and the European settlers, these small, innocent people were driven deep into the Drakensberg. Due to disputes & cultural differences they were partially exterminated & absorbed by the surrounding tribes.
Their rock art can be found in the sandstone shelters of the Southern Drakensberg (of which there are over 200 sites) & represent some of the finest in the world.

MAJOR ADVENTURES offers a variety of guided rock art hikes, varying from2 hours to 3 days. An accredited guide will draw you into the culture & traditions of these unique people.
Price On request – includes guide, transport &entrance fee. (lunch not included)

HIKING TOURS

The Southern Drakensberg with its steep-sided foothills of the "Little Berg" and the main escarpment of volcanic origin, is situated within the newly proclaimed World Heritage Site, known as the uKhahlamba Drakensberg Park. The superb natural beauty and the incredible variety of flora and fauna, together with the masterpieces of San Rock Art, enabled this status to be achieved. It is therefore, no wonder that this is a hiker's paradise like none other. We offer fully guided hiking/trekking trips into the scenic and majestic Drakensberg Mountains. Hikes can range from rambles through the lower lying foothills to climbs up to an altitude of 3482m (Thabana Nthlenyana - the highest peak in Southern Africa)

DAY HIKES
Half to full day hikes in and around the "Little Berg".
Popular hikes include - Emerald Stream, Bathplug Cave & Pinnacle Rock
Price On request – includes guide, transport and entrance fee (lunch not included)

TWO DAYS OR LONGER
For the more adventurous. Sleep in caves or tents with a chance of meeting remote Basotho shepherds tending their flocks. Popular hikes include Rhino Horn (3051m), Hodgsons Peaks (3256m) & Thabana Ntlenyana.
Price: On request – includes guide, transport, camping and entrance fees.
(meals not included)

 BIRDING TOURS

 Major Adventures offers you a bird tour in the Southern Drakensberg and a small part of Lesotho. Look for the local endemic species and specials for this region. The area has habitats for Wattled Crane, a moist grassland special. We shall scratch around in the Leucosidea scrub for the attractive Bush Blackcap and a warbler or two. In the rocky grasslands we´ll find the Ground Woodpecker and Buffstreaked Chats while amongst the Protea trees the Gurneys Sugarbird will be feeding on its flowers. At higher altitudes we´ll seek the Orangebreasted Rockjumpers and the Bearded Vulture. In Lesotho the birds remind one of the Karoo, but with one rare Pipit on the list. Mistbelt forests may also be visited for a glimpse of the colourful Knysna Lourie or maybe the endangered Cape Parrot.
Tour
Duration Full day
Price On request
Lunch Bring your own packed lunch.

Valid passports are essential.
Bring warm clothes, cameras, binoculars etc.

WILD COAST TOUR

The Wild Coast is a nature wonderland with some of the finest undisturbed coastline on the sub-continent. It is characterized by magnificent indigenous coastal forests, remote sandy beaches, river estuaries and the unique cultures of the Xhosa people . Pondoland - as we call it - has seen little development over the ages with the local people still following the time-old paths of their ancestors.

WILD COAST TOUR
Our tour will take you to an extremely remote part of the Transkei Wild Coast, where very few visitors have been. The road to the coast will spoil you with unforgettable scenery and interesting glimpses of the way of life of the Pondo people. Especially notable are the pot-bellied pigs, rondavel-type huts and the simple existence of the Xhosa people. Visit a local village and explore their culture first hand. Hiking or pony riding along this rugged coastline makes for an experience of a lifetime.

Accommodation is a rustic self-catering fisherman´s cottage. The tour is casual and offers the nature enthusiast a chance to visit the most unspoiled coastline in South Africa.

Duration 4 days / 3 nights
Price On request (self-catering). Accommodation is included.

MORE TOURS