Lesotho 4×4 Trails:
Afri Ski – Katse Dam Wall
Closest Town/s: Butha-Buthe, 80 km
Grade (1 – 5): 3 – 4
Type of Terrain: River Crossing, Mountain Climb, Rocky, Scenic Drive
Distance (total): 230 Km
Driving Time (estimated): 8 – 12 hours (depending on weather conditions)
Contact: bookings/reception
Telephone: +266 595 44 734 / +27 87 357 0250 / 0861 AFRISKI/ 2374754
Email: bookings@afriski.net and reception@afriski.net
Website: www.afriski.net
Beyond Sani Pass
Closest Town/s: Underberg, 22km
Grade (1 – 5): 2 – 4
Type of Terrain: Rocky, Desert Terrain, Scenic / Game Drive
Distance: 230 km
Driving Time (estimated): 2 days
Contact: reception
Telephone: 270 33 702 0203 / 270 82 561 3275 / +27 (0) 865 439 699
Email: info@sanivalley.co.za
Website: www.sanivalley.co.za
Cannibal Pass Trail
Closest Town/s: Ramabanta
Grade (1 – 5) 3 – 4
Type of Terrain: Rocky, Desert Gorge / Sand
Distance: 30 km
Driving Time (estimated): 3-4
Contact: Ashley & Jennifer
Telephone: 00266 22 340 202 / 082 773 2180
Email: n/a
Website: n/a
Letsapong Cannibal Cave Trail
Closest Town/s: Makhaleng River
Grade (1 – 5): 3 – 4
Type of Terrain: Mountainous / Rocky Terrain, Sand / Desert Terrain, Steep Gradients
Distance: 6 km
Driving Time (estimated): 1 hr
Contact: Ashley & Jennifer
Telephone: 00266 22 340 202, 082 773 2180
Email: n/a
Website: n/a
Mother in Law’s Tongue
Closest Town/s: Fouriesberg
Grade (1 – 5): 3 – 5
Type of Terrain: River Crossings, Rocky / Grassy Terrain, Steep Gradients, Muddy ( depends on season)
Distance: 360 km
Driving Time (estimated): 2 – 3 days
Contact: Steve Botha
Telephone: 033 701 2759 / 082 233 0713
Email: adventures@the-safari-guys.com
Website: n/a
Rapo-le-Boea Trails
Closest Town/s: Makhalaneng
Grade (1 – 5): 3 – 4
Type of Terrain: n/a
Distance: 42 km
Driving Time (estimated): 3 – 4 hours
Contact: Ashley & Jennifer
Telephone: 00266 22 340 202 / 00266 22 340 202
Email: n/a
Website: n/a
Roof of Africa Trails
Closest Town/s: Underberg
Grade (1 – 5): 3 – 4
Type of Terrain: n/a
Distance: 140 km
Driving Time (estimated): 5 days
Contact: Steve Botha
Telephone: 033 701 2759 / 082 233 0713
Email: cdta@futurenet.co.za
Website: n/a
Four Wheel Drive Trails in Lesotho
Even though Lesotho has a poorly developed tourist infrastructure, off-road tourism fortunately does not require fancy hotels, airport shuttle services, and everything else that goes with that. The only thing off-road tourist in Lesotho needs is a well-prepared 4WD vehicle, some free time, and the inclination to explore the highest gravel roads in Africa. Below is a selection of the extreme 4×4 routes on offer in the Mountain Kingdom, but please note that the routes listed here all require 4WD vehicles with low range, and drivers with above average skills.
Quthing Valley 4×4 Route
This adventure/cultural trail that starts either at Moorosi or Mphake, and ends at Ongeluksnek, takes in the Malekgonyane Nature Reserve, Letseng-la-Letsio lake, Mt Moorosi Fortress, Fort Hartley, as well as two mountain passes- Manyemotsa Pass and Ongeluksnek Pass. Other attractions include pony trekking, cultural performances, and viewing dinosaur footprints, and even quad bike routes. Time to complete this route varies, depending on how much time is spent at the various stopovers, but set aside a full day for this tour.
Mountain Biking / 4×4 Route
This route, which links up with the Highland Ski Route, takes in the iconic Sani Pass, Matebeng Pass, and some of the most dramatic scenery in Lesotho. Other attractions include the Tsoelikane Waterfall, Sehlaba Thebe National Park, and the highest point in Southern Africa, at Thabana Ntlenyana. Fuel and supplies are available in Thaba Tseka and Mokhotlong. Please note that the route demands exceptional driving skills and vehicles with low range to negotiate Sani Pass safely.
Extreme 4×4 Route
Although this route does not offer as many attractions and side-trips as the other two routes mentioned here, the scenery is just as dramatic, but the main difference lays in the fact that it is not recommended for novice, or inexperienced drivers. The route includes the Tlaeeng Pass, which is the highest road pass in Southern Africa, and which requires advanced driving skills.
This route tests the skill of off-road drivers to the utmost and only proper 4WD vehicles with low range, above average ground clearance, and suitable protection against rocks should attempt it. The route starts at Tlaeeng Pass, ends at Ha Lejone, and can take a full day to complete. More on Lesotho tourism for the off-road traveler >>
Return to 4×4 Trails in Southern Africa >>
