9 Day Tour of Lesotho + South Africa

Embark on a captivating 9-day journey through Lesotho and South Africa, where you will encounter an array of wildlife and behold the stunning Drakensberg Mountains while immersing yourself in the rich Zulu culture of the area!

9-Day Adventure: Maseru to Durban

Day 1: Maseru

Begin your adventure in the vibrant capital of Lesotho! After your arrival at the Maseru Airport, we'll make our way to the heart of the city, where you'll explore the Basotho Hat Craft Center. Here, you can purchase a unique hat, perfect for your upcoming experiences!

We will also take a quick tour of the downtown area before settling in at our hotel for the first evening in Lesotho.

Day 2: Maseru – Ha Kome Caves – Thaba Bosiu – Koro Koro - Malealea

Good morning from Maseru! After enjoying a fulfilling breakfast, we'll depart the capital and head north to visit the Ha Kome Caves, a National Heritage Site. These caves, originally created by the Basia Clan, will offer an insight into the daily lives of their present inhabitants as we tour the grottos.

Next, we will visit the Thaba Bosiu Plateau, a site of immense historical significance, as it houses the tombs of former kings of Lesotho. Our journey continues to Koro Koro village for a rewarding traditional lunch and a delightful pony ride!

We conclude the day at a hotel in Malealea, where dinner awaits us after a day filled with discoveries.

Day 3: Malealea – Sotho – Morija – Roma – Semonkong

After a hearty breakfast, we’ll proceed to Sotho to admire ancient art at the San Rock Art Paintings within the Echo Caves.

Continuing on, we will reach Morija, where a delicious lunch will prepare us for a visit to the Morija Museum. From our vantage point, we’ll also glimpse the King's Palace!

Moving on, we'll leave Morija and head to Roma, our namesake not being the Italian city but rather one of the towns in Lesotho. Here, we’ll retire for the night at our lodging in Semonkong, where dinner will be served.

Day 4: Semonkong

This is your chance to unwind on a relaxation day in Semonkong, where breakfast, lunch, and dinner will be conveniently provided at the hotel. Feel free to explore at your leisure, and we recommend taking a pony ride to the breathtaking Maletsunyane Waterfalls to enjoy the spectacular views!

Day 5: Semonkong – Drakensberg Mountains

After a revitalizing breakfast, we set our sights on the Drakensberg Mountains to explore the magnificent vistas of this southern African mountain range.

We'll pause for lunch halfway through our journey before continuing on to marvel at the dams in the heart of Lesotho, including the impressive Katse Dam, where you can capture stunning photographs of this colossal structure.

As we conclude our fifth day, we will bid farewell to Lesotho and venture into South African territory, enjoying dinner at our accommodation nestled at the base of the Drakensberg Mountains.

Day 6: Drakensberg Mountains – Sani Pass - Underberg

Our day begins with a fulfilling breakfast, leading us to Ukhahlamba-Drakensberg Park, where we will soak in the spectacular scenery of basalt mountains juxtaposed with golden-sand hills.

After marveling at the beauty of this natural park, we'll cross back into Lesotho via the Sani Pass to visit the famed Sani Mountain Lodge, renowned for housing the highest bar in Africa. Enjoy a drink and lunch at an altitude of 2,874 meters (9,429 feet).

We will wrap up the day by relishing the panoramic views before returning to the comfortable South African lodgings in Underberg for dinner and rest.

Day 7: Underberg – Saint Lucia - Hluhluwe Imfolozi Park

Post breakfast, we'll head out from the hotel towards the coastal town of Saint Lucia, where we will also have lunch!

After our meal, we will embark on a boat tour of the Saint Lucia estuary, where there’s a chance to spot hippos and crocodiles. Following this adventure, we’ll return to our accommodation located north of Hluhluwe Imfolozi Park, where we’ll enjoy dinner and relax for the night.

Day 8: Hluhluwe Imfolozi Park

After having breakfast, we will journey to a Zulu reserve where you’ll be able to interact with local tribe members.

Next, we’ll take a safari in search of wild rhinos, lions, leopards, buffalos, and elephants through the northern section of Hluhluwe Imfolozi Park. With any luck, we’ll catch sight of the Big Five in one of Africa's oldest natural reserves.

The day culminates with a satisfying dinner at our northern park accommodation, followed by a peaceful night’s sleep.

Day 9: Hluhluwe Imfolozi Park– Durban

After enjoying our final breakfast, we’ll collect you from your hotel in Hluhluwe Imfolozi, ensuring you arrive at Durban Airport in plenty of time for your departing flight. We look forward to seeing you again!

Accommodation

The tour includes 8 nights of accommodation with breakfast at one of these selected 3-star hotels:

Maseru, Lesotho (1 night): Botleng Guest House or similarMalealea, Lesotho (1 night): Malealea Lodge or similarSemonkong, Lesotho (2 nights): Semonkong Lodge or similarDrakensberg Mountains, South Africa (1 night): KarMichael Guest Lodge or similarUnderberg, South Africa (1 night): Bayside Lodge or similarHluhluwe Imfolozi Park Southern region, South Africa (1 night): Guest Lodge or similarHluhluwe Imfolozi Park Northern region, South Africa (1 night): Umkhumbi Game Lodge or similar