Welcome to Sani Lodge Backpackers!
Traditional cooking and a range of activities gives you a window into the lives of a proud and unique people.
From village to village on horseback! Another unique community tourism initiative! Whilst focussed on Pony Trekking, these trips also allow you to travel up the famous Sani Pass in our 4x4 Land Rovers, over the second highest road pass in Lesotho, traverse remote villages seeing the unique way of life while enjoying the thrill of riding through majestic mountain scenery. We arrive at the home of the Ntlhoki family in the Molumong area, the base for “Ntlhoki Pony Trekking” after lunch on day 1. We started our relationship with them in the year 2005! Horses will be waiting, and you are off, riding like a local into soaring mountains and to remote villages! The Ntlhoki’s are experienced and skilled horse guides, and many novices have been introduced by them to the joys of riding! Their horses are Basotho ponies – short, stocky, sturdy and extremely sure-footed animals who are totally at home on the steep gradients you will encounter. Overnight accommodation is provided by homesteads in various villages, thereby spreading the benefits of tourism into remote communities by encouraging small scale entrepreneurs. For the hard-core riders, consider our 4-day Thabana Ntlenyana Pony Trek, 2 ½ days of tough riding to the highest point in southern Africa at 3482m. We sleep in tents next to shepherds’ outposts called motebo and experience wilderness far from any village as we ascend to the highest point south of Kilimanjaro! The first afternoon and night is at base camp.
Experience Fair Trade in Tourism in action. Your tour price includes a contribution to the Sani Top Basotho community. Our ground-breaking approach to grass-roots tourism means that your tour price directly benefits a wide segment of the local community, preserving cultural dignity and ensuring fair remuneration for services rendered. “Sani Lodge is the Silver Award Winner of African Responsible Tourism Award for Poverty Reduction 2018. Sani Lodge and Drakensberg Adventures in the Drakensberg Mountains of South Africa has made a major contribution to local livelihoods and poverty reduction over many years. By involving Basotho stakeholders, they have created opportunities for communities to proudly showcase their unique cultural practices, engaging with guests in an authentic manner, thereby earning their respect. They are the future of tourism in Africa". ~ Judges
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Day 1:
Day 2:
Accommodation is in traditional rondavels (round African dwellings). There is no electricity or running water in any of the villages. A basin of water will be provided for bathing. Please bear in mind that given the remote location the toilet is a “long drop” (pit latrine).
Spend an extra day in the saddle and venture deeper into the Lesotho highlands. Day 1 remains the same, however the itinerary for the following two days is below.
Day 2:
Day 3:
Spend an extra two days in the saddle and venture deeper into the Lesotho highlands. Day 1 remains the same, however the itinerary for the following two days is below.
Day 2:
Day 3:
Day 4:
Note: While this tour still entails many hours in the saddle, it is a far gentler option than the Thabana Ntlenyana ride below.
Ascend the highest point south of Kilimanjaro as it should be climbed, from the Lesotho side! This 4 day expedition to conquer the Highest Point in Southern Africa (3482m) combines the village experience at No. 10 Riverside with 2 ½ days of pony trekking. A local guide accompanies the group on the ride. Our guide also accompanies the group.
Day 1:
Day 2:
Day 3:
Day 4:
We sleep at base camp on the first night. The second and third nights are spent in a tent next to the rough stone huts of a shepherds’ outpost or motebo. You will require your own warm sleeping bag, tent and roll mat. If required, we do have 2 person tents and roll mats for hire at Sani Lodge.
Thabana Ntlenyana is very high, meaning that conditions at any time of the year can be extreme. You need to be prepared for this, both mentally and in terms of your equipment and especially warm and wet weather gear and sub-zero quality sleeping bags.
Please note that the price quoted above is for tours running with a minimum of four guests. If you wish to do this tour with a group of less than four, there will be additional charges due to the fixed nature of certain costs. Owing to the current fuel cost increase, there may be an additional fuel levy.
Whichever method you choose, we will respond to you as quickly and informatively as possible.
Call our reception on +27 83 987 3071. Someone will be available between 7am and 7pm everyday. South African time is GMT+2
Send us an email or complete the contact form. We will get back to you as soon as possible.
We'd love to share our detailed knowledge of the local area with you.
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