This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase through an affiliate link, I will earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Thanks for your support.

Sani Top in Lesotho: Why you should visit Africa's Mountain Kingdom

If you are planning a trip to South Africa I highly encourage you to add the windswept and fascinating country of Lesotho to your itinerary, particularly Sani Top at the top of the infamous Sani Pass. Read on to find out more…

So… have you heard of Lesotho?

I hadn’t until I started dating a South African and visited his home country with him. Unlike the rest of the world, most South Africans have heard of this tiny mountain kingdom as it is located entirely within the borders of their home country. A country within a country. 

On my last trip to South Africa, I decided to add three days on to my itinerary and travel to Sani Pass in Lesotho and I am so glad I did.

I ended up loving my three days in Sani Top and I wanted to share my experience with you and why I think Lesotho is such a special place to visit. I hope this will encourage you to plan your own trip there.

Three Days in Sani Top, Lesotho

Lesotho Facts and History

Lesotho (pronounced Le-Soo-Too) is known as the Kingdom in the Sky due to its lofty position high in the mountains. It encompasses a tiny 30,000 km2, all of which lies at over 1400 metres above sea level.

It has earned itself the title of the highest lowest point of any country in the world and the only independent state in the world that lies entirely above 1,000 metres in elevation. It is a rugged and forbidding country of dirt roads and extreme weather.

There is abject poverty here, with 40% of the population living under the international poverty line of $1.25 per day. Natural resources are scarce and the population is gripped tightly by HIV/AIDs; Lesotho has the highest rate of infection in the world.

Rondhovel huts in Sani Top, LesothoThe people of Lesotho are called Basotho, or Mosotho in the singular, and they speak the language Sesotho. Confusing huh? A large number of the population in rural areas are competent horse riders and in some parts of the country, it is the only way to travel other than on foot.

The Basotho are known for wearing thick woolen tribal blankets, wrapped around themselves to keep warm against the cold. It snows heavily in winter, and even when we visited in summer it dipped down to a chilly 13°C once the sun went down.

You can fly into Lesotho via South Africa and there are a number of land entry points but probably the most iconic route of entry is via the steep and precarious Sani Pass. What started as a perilous horse trail that rose steeply from the Drakensberg Mountains of South Africa, the Sani Pass is now passable by four-wheel drive.

I have been interested in driving up the Sani Pass since seeing it on the travel show Extreme Frontiers and on Top Gear.

Unfortunately, it was going to be really expensive to rent a four-wheel drive vehicle that we would be allowed to take into Lesotho, so we ended up parking at the Premier Resort Sani Pass for a small fee and getting our accommodation to pick us up from there.

The Premier Resort Sani Pass is set on stunning grounds, nestled in the foothills of the magnificent mountain range that Lesotho sits atop. I would love to return in the future to enjoy a luxury escape there.

The Sani Pass Hotel near the border to Lesotho Views from The Sani Pass Hotel near the border to Lesotho

Driving the Sani Pass from South Africa to Lesotho

Deciding to be picked up instead of driving the Sani Pass ourselves definitely turned out to be a wise decision. A thick and soupy mist set in the higher we drove.

Stopping at the halfway point before it got really steep, we got out at Immigration to get our passports stamped out of South Africa. The air was already decidedly chilly.

Driving up Sani Pass from South Africa to Lesotho Driving up Sani Pass from South Africa to Lesotho

By the time we were nearing the end of the sharp switchbacks, where some sections we were within half a meter of the cliff’s edge, the mist was so thick we couldn’t see more than a meter in front of us.

Thank God our driver has been driving this route daily for 15 years in all types of weather conditions so we felt safe in his capable hands. At the top, he took our passports into the rundown building of Lesotho Immigration and got them stamped for us.

A foggy welcome to Sani Top in LesothoImmigration at Sani Top in Lesotho

We had arrived in one piece. And it was freezing.

Checking Into the Sani Mountain Lodge

The Sani Mountain Lodge and Pub, the highest pub in Africa, was right beside the border crossing in the small traditional Basotho village of Sani Top. Our driver dropped us at the reception to check in, then took us down the road to the backpackers building where we were staying in a simple double room.

The rustic backpackers used to be a store but is now owned and operated by the Sani Mountain Lodge, ten minutes walk away and perched at the edge of a cliff overlooking the Sani Pass.

Backpackers at Sani Mountain Lodge in LesothoSani Mountain Lodge in LesothoSheep wandered through the mist, identified by the clanging of their bells. White wildflowers sprouted up among the muddy grass. A rough road of deep puddles, interspersed with smooth grey rocks jutting out of the ground, led through the village and linked the backpackers with the pub.

Grounds of the Sani Mountain Lodge in LesothoVillage of Sani Top in LesothoThe village was very simple. There were no shops except for a small gift shop, and no electricity in the small stone round houses with thatched roofs. On an exposed and treeless high-altitude plateau with no shelter from the elements, I could only imagine how cold it must be for them, especially at night.

I have no idea what they do for toilets or showers. Or where they get their water from. To say that their lives are starkly different from mine would be an understatement.

Village of Sani Top in Lesotho Handicrafts in Sani Top Lesotho

We were asked by the lodge to bring items for the village children for Christmas so we bought them lunchboxes, water bottles, sweets, pads and pens, and small Australian animal toys.

We were happy to see a box overflowing with gifts for the children on arrival at reception. I would have loved to see the kid’s faces when they received them.

Meeting the Local Basotho People

Despite the hardships, almost every Masotho that we saw was so friendly and eager to say an enthusiastic ‘Hi’ or wave to us. Life must be pretty harsh for them but they generally seemed to be a cheery bunch. Basotho kids played out in front of the pub every day we were there.

One somber-looking little fellow was strumming a homemade guitar made with a large plastic bottle. We weren’t sure whether it was appropriate but we gave him R10 which brought a beaming smile to his face, briefly, before he resumed his serious demeanor.

Local kid in Sani Top LesothoWe did encounter one small group of herders when we were out hiking one day that came across as aggressive, with one of them yelling in Sesotho and banging his big stick on the ground. He looked like a teenager and I think he was trying to intimidate us. His friend was watching us suspiciously and asked me to take their photo.

So I took a photo of him and the two young and smiley boys that were with them, showed it to them which they were happy about, then we said goodbye and left. The stick banger must have had his fun and they didn’t follow us.

Local herders in Sani Top. LesothoThe Basotho are known for their crafts which include a range of colorful baskets woven out of grass. One of the main woven items you can buy as a souvenir is a traditional Basotho hat, conical in shape with a bauble at the top.

Trav bought me a small souvenir hat but didn’t let me wear it because he said it was embarrassing. I don’t know what he is talking about. I like it.

Relaxing at Sani Mountain Lodge in Sani Top. LesothoRelaxing at the Sani Mountain Lodge in Sani Top

Located at 2874 meters above sea level, the pub was our daily retreat from the elements. When it was foggy and cold outside or during an epic thunderstorm which seems to be almost a daily occurrence up there, it was cozy and warm inside by the open fire.

Relaxing at Sani Mountain Lodge in Sani Top

There were comfy couches and armchairs adorned with blankets to wrap yourself in, walls crammed with photos of happy people drinking in the pub over the many years it has been there, and comments expressing the love of the place written by past visitors over every other spare space.

A beautiful and affectionate cat made itself at home on our laps, purring to its heart’s content. I couldn’t have asked for anything more to make me feel so relaxed and comfortable.

Sani Mountain Lodge in Sani Top. Lesotho Relaxing at Sani Mountain Lodge in Sani Top with a cute kitty

We watched the sunset each day over the pass from the deck out the front. I also caught the sunrise one day from the backpackers and it was even more impressive. I am of the opinion that they are better at high altitudes. With thinner air, the light just seems more magical.

Views from Sani Mountain Lodge in Sani Top. Lesotho for the sunset Views from Sani Mountain Lodge in Sani Top. Lesotho for the sunset

The deck was also a great spot for some wildlife watching. I saw iridescent green sunbirds flitting about, cute little ice rats scurrying between rocks, gigantic bearded vultures hovering above, herds of dirty sheep and lonely donkeys being herded back to the village in the evening.

Relaxing at the Sani Mountain Lodge in Sani Top. Lesotho Relaxing with an amarula cocktail at the Sani Mountain Lodge in Sani Top. Lesotho

Each morning we awoke early and hurried to the pub for rusks and coffee on the deck before breakfast. It was the best time of day for some bird watching.

Breakfast was definitely something to look forward to with a full cooked meal made to order as well as a huge variety of continental items such as chocolate croissants, dried fruit and nuts, juices, cereals, bread, and spreads.

Amazing views from the Sani Mountain Lodge in Sani Top. LesothoBird watching from the Sani Mountain Lodge in Sani Top. LesothoUnfortunately, the lunches and dinners weren’t as good. I had a daily argument discussion with one of the waiters about how trout isn’t a vegetarian option (he was adamant that it was) and as it was either that or red meat as the only options each night, I ate a lot of vegetables (which were also the exact same each night). So I made sure to eat a lot for breakfast.

Evenings were spent with a creamy Amarula in hand by the fire. We met some wonderful people during the long hours before dinner. An intrepid German family who have lived all over the world with the father’s job including Nigeria, Thailand and now South Africa.

Young English filmmakers who were filming the villagers, excited by their new exciting life away from Mother England. Even a couple of Kiwis (honestly, you can find us anywhere and everywhere in the world).

A lot of people were driving through Lesotho by four-wheel drive and it is something I would definitely like to do in the future because there are so many wonderful and unique things to do in Lesotho.

We only had three nights and I am pleased that we spent them in and around Sani Top at the Sani Mountain Lodge. It gave us time to relax and for reflection, rather than rushing through.

Hiking around Sani Top in LesothoViews from Sani Mountain Lodge in Sani Top. Lesotho for the sunset

Hiking Around Sani Top in Lesotho

The rocky and desolate landscape was quite captivating in its emptiness and we spent a few hours each day hiking into the wilderness. There were no hiking trails as such but by using surrounding mountain peaks to locate ourselves, it was easy to blaze a trail across the marshy pastures and into the mountains.

Hiking around Sani Top in Lesotho Hiking around Sani Top in Lesotho

One day we hiked to the top of a mountain with spectacular views down into the rich green valley below. Waterfalls tumbled off sheer cliffs and small and colorful wildflowers passed underfoot.

Everything was strikingly green. The lack of trees or bushes of any kind made the landscape like nowhere I have ever been before.

Hiking around Sani Top in Lesotho Hiking around Sani Top in Lesotho

On the way back down we came across a shepherd’s hut with pens for the sheep created with stone walls. No one was around so I peeked into the small hut which comprised a blackened fire pit in the middle, and a makeshift bed of long grasses. So simple.

Hiking around Sani Top in Lesotho Farming around Sani Top in LesothoAnother day we hiked in the opposite direction and across the pockets of crystal clear marshes and rivers and through fields of wild yellow irises. We passed grazing horses, baboons foraging for food, and unruly teenage shepherds with big sticks.

Cresting a small hill, we had 180-degree views of the fertile fields and mountains of South Africa below.

Hiking around Sani Top in Lesotho Wildflowers in Lesotho

When it was time to leave and head back down into South Africa, in some ways I was ready to go, but there was definitely a sense of melancholy hanging in the air. It was a different world up there and we were about to go back to reality.

Driving the Sani Pass from Lesotho to South Africa

The drive down Sani Pass couldn’t have been more different than the drive up. The sky was a brilliant blue and there was not a wisp of mist in sight so we could finally see the spectacular views that we missed the first time around.

Driving down the Sani Pass in LesothoHiking around Sani Pass in Lesotho

There were waterfalls everywhere and it reminded me so much of Iceland. As we descended the mountain kingdom we slowly started seeing trees again, and slowly the high-altitude chill eased into a hot, summer’s day.

Driving down the Sani Pass from Lesotho to South Africa Driving the Sani Pass from Lesotho to South Africa

We were back in summer again after our wintery getaway.

The main thing I have taken away from our time in Lesotho is the desire to see more of Africa. I must confess that I have never felt particularly drawn to the continent, even after trips to Egypt and South Africa.

I think it is because those countries weren’t what I pictured Africa to be. Although both were wonderful, they weren’t the stereotype. South Africa is largely developed and Egypt feels more Middle Eastern than African.

Lesotho felt like the real deal; what I had envisaged Africa to be. The wild open spaces, the polar differences in the way people live, and the traditional villages. This felt like Africa to me and I got a thrill out of being there.

Lesotho gave me a taste and now I want more.

Incredible views down into South Africa from Sani Top in Lesotho

I visited Lesotho in December 2014. This post was updated in August 2023.

Plan Your Sani Top Trip

How To Get To Sani Top 

You can drive there yourself from South Africa up Sani Pass in the Drakensberg Mountains if you hire a four-wheel drive vehicle and are allowed to take it into Lesotho. Otherwise, you can enquire with Sani Mountain Lodge and check if they still offer transfer services from Premier Resort Sani Pass – this is what we did and it was perfect.

If you are short on time, you can book this day tour up the Sani Pass to Sani Top from Underberg in South Africa.

Where To Stay in Sani Top

I stayed at the Sani Mountain Lodge which has been rebranded as Sani Mountain Escape in a basic double room in their backpackers building. It was definitely nothing special but it sufficed and I loved the pub and the view from there. There are also luxury and regular rondavels you can stay in, and camping.

One other option nearby is Sani Stone Lodge which has hotel rooms, rondavels, dorm rooms, and camping.

Sani Pass in Lesotho

What Time of Year To Visit Sani Top

Definitely go in the summer months from December to March. It was already pretty cold in summer so I can’t imagine how cold it would be in winter!

The Best Insurance For Your Sani Top Trip

Make sure you get travel and health insurance before your Lesotho trip, just to be on the safe side. Safety Wing is my go-to and they are cheap and easy to claim with. 

Safety Wing also allows you to sign up when you are already traveling, unlike a lot of other travel insurance providers.

If you liked this post, check out some more of my Africa content:

PIN IT!

Off the Beaten Path Travel in LesothoLesotho: A Country in Africa you Probably Haven't Heard of

30 Comments on Sani Top in Lesotho: The Perfect Adventure Break From South Africa

  1. Basotho”s beautiful Kingdom in the Sky… The highlands of Lesotho amaze even those of us who are born here, i urge you guys who haven’t been on this side of the world to come by someday # PROUDLY MOSOTHO!!

  2. I literally just looked it up on the map. To my embarrassment, I’ve not heard of this country yet, but the pictures look amazing and the landscape tranquil.

    Fantastic pictures and blog post – a video would’ve been the cherry on top!

    • Thanks King Epic (love the name)! Don’t worry I hadn’t heard of it either until a couple of years ago. Now it is somewhere I can’t wait to return to. I am yet to venture into vlogging – maybe one day 🙂

  3. I spent two weeks in Lesotho six years ago and before I volounteered to go, I’d never heard of it either! And I also struggled with the ‘meals’ we were given haha!

    Beautiful, beautful country with such warm people. I’ve never seen photos do it so much justice! I can’t wait to return when I can to try and meet up with some of the kids I stayed with when I was there.

    You’ve inspired me to blog about it, I’ll link you when I get round to!

  4. Pingback: Homepage
  5. Beautiful post! I was supposed to go to Lesotho as a Peace Corp Volunteer, but decided it was not the right life decision for me. Seems like a very beautiful country, I am glad you had a wonderful experience and was able to share their story!

  6. There is so much to see in Lesotho,am a Mosotho and happy to see other people appreciate my country as much as I do.i hope you visit again.

      • I am a Mosotho from the Kingdom in the Sky, I wish you could have travelled more and see other parts of the country, so much to offer and indeed our country is beautiful.Though studied in Australia and have been around the world I have never seen a country as attractive with happiest as mine!!!

        Khotso, Pula, Nala

        Mookho

  7. Wow, Katie, what an adventure! It was sad to read about the people having so little. It was so nice of you guys to bring gifts for the children. I bet they were overjoyed! It’s so humbling to think that kids from other areas of the world are so happy with such simple everyday things that we take for granted.

    The views are absolutely amazing, and I love the picture you got of the locals! You’re right, this feels like the real deal Africa. Africa has always been this fascinating and mysterious land to me, and I really really hope to experience it someday!

    • Anna, I’m sure you guys will get there one day on your incredible journey. It was sad to see the poverty but it was great to also see that the Lodge was helping the locals out. It is one of the quietest places I have ever been which made the hiking even more incredible 🙂

      • iam a pastor living in uganda gulu city in northern uganda i want to visit lesotho becuse i have love that country and the i also want to visit kingdom mountain i am a serious preacher i want to come and hold mega gospel crusade in leshoto

  8. we walked the Sani Pass!!! well on the way up a nice South African couple drove us to the top. We were hiking (trying to find a look out point) and the same day we walked the whole way down.

    Even though it was exhausting the views were spectacular and as you write it felt like the real Africa

  9. Strangely, I actually heard of Lesotha before. A cycling tourer (Shane Little @shanecycles) I follow actually cycled the Sani Pass! I think he wrote a piece called “Kingdom in the Skies”.You can imagine how difficult that would have been. It’s such a beautiful country and very interesting people. A wonderful account and beautiful pictures. Thanks for sharing this great and not well known little country with us. I would love to see it myself one day. 🙂

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.