Discover the Breathtaking Beauty of the Drakensberg Mountains, Sani Pass and Lesotho

Wow, wow, wow! People say it is beautiful and worth visiting but I wasn’t prepared for just how stunning it was going to be. First stop Cathedral Peak, a 3,004 mountain in the Drakensberg. The Drakensberg is one of Southern Africa’s natural landscapes, stretching across eastern South Africa and forming a dramatic backdrop of towering peaks, deep valleys, and rolling green foothills. Known as the “Dragon Mountains,” it offers a striking mix of rugged cliffs, misty escarpments, and crystal clear streams.

There is a sense of vastness and tranquillity, we barely saw anyone on our walks. It’s a place where nature feels untouched, time slows down, and every breathtaking view makes you want to pause and take it all in. We arrived in the rain and woke up to clouds and drizzle. Not the best start but tried a walk all the same to Doreen Falls.

A panoramic view of green hills and rocky mountains shrouded in mist, under a cloudy sky.

A thatched roof house situated on a grassy hillside, with green rolling hills and cloudy skies in the background. — Our home with beautiful views at Didima, highly recommend it

A unique round thatched-roof structure set in a green landscape, surrounded by rolling hills and mountains under a blue sky with fluffy clouds. — When the sun came out

Scenic landscape featuring rolling green hills and a reflective pond under a cloudy sky.

Scenic landscape featuring a green hill with rocky cliffs under a cloudy sky, surrounded by lush grass and a winding path.

A panoramic view of a lush, green landscape featuring dense vegetation, a winding road, a small building, and parked vehicles, with rolling hills and a golf course in the background. — Car looking smaller and smaller, all roads lead to the top to Doreen Falls

A hiker walking up a grassy hillside towards a fog-covered mountain.

A lone hiker standing on a grassy hillside, with a misty mountain peak obscured by clouds in the background.

A couple smiling for a selfie outdoors with a mountainous landscape in the background, surrounded by greenery and fog.

A view of a suspension bridge surrounded by lush green vegetation and mountains under a cloudy sky.

A scenic view of a lush green landscape featuring rolling hills, a winding river, and mountains under a clear blue sky with fluffy white clouds.

A serene landscape featuring a winding river surrounded by lush green vegetation and rolling hills, with a misty mountain in the background.

A serene view of a swimming pool surrounded by lush greenery, with rolling hills and mountains under a partly cloudy sky. — Pool with a view but freezing cold!

The sun started to come out so we ventured towards Blue Pools. Nice, gentle 8Km walk which was very enjoyable. It’s a relatively easy and accessible hike, making it perfect for a slow morning or afternoon walk. The trail winds through rolling grasslands and along clear mountain streams, with the dramatic backdrop of the Drakensberg mountains always in view. The pools were a little underwhelming but the views on the walk were stunning. We had the pleasure of walking with Josh and Rebeka and only crossed paths with one other couple. Truly had the place to ourselves.

A panoramic view of a green mountain range under a cloudy sky, with lush vegetation and rocky cliffs.

Scenic view of rolling green hills under a cloudy sky, showcasing lush vegetation and rocky cliffs.

A winding dirt path through lush green hills with scattered trees under a cloudy sky.

Three hikers posing in a grassy valley with lush green hills and a cloudy sky in the background, with trail signs pointing in different directions.

Two hikers walking along a dirt path in a lush green valley, surrounded by hills and cloudy skies.

A scenic view of lush green mountains and valleys under a partly cloudy sky.

Two hikers walking on a grassy trail surrounded by green hills under a partly cloudy sky.

A panoramic view of green hills and rocky cliffs under a cloudy sky.

A panoramic view of lush green hills and mountains under a partly cloudy sky.

Lush green hills with rocky formations under a partly cloudy sky.

A hiker walking along a narrow path in a lush green valley surrounded by mountains under a partly cloudy sky.

Two people standing in a stream surrounded by rocky terrain and lush greenery.

Three people sitting on rocks by a stream surrounded by greenery, enjoying nature and each other's company.

Two smiling individuals posing for a selfie, surrounded by rocks and greenery near a stream.

Two people sitting by a flowing river, surrounded by rocks and greenery. One person is wearing a pink shirt and the other is in a blue tank top, both enjoying the natural setting.

A panoramic view of a rocky hillside covered in green vegetation under a partly cloudy sky.

Lush green valley landscape with rolling hills and rocky cliffs under a cloudy sky.

A person in a blue tank top is bending over a stream, looking into the water while balancing on rocky terrain.

Lush green mountains under a cloudy sky, showcasing diverse vegetation and rocky cliffs.

Lush green hills with rocky cliffs surrounded by trees and a flowing river in a valley.

A panoramic view of lush green hills and valleys under a cloudy sky.

A hiker walking on a trail amidst a lush green landscape with rolling hills and mountains under a partly cloudy sky.

A colorful grasshopper with yellow and black stripes sitting on a person's finger. — Found some cute grasshoppers

A close-up of a colorful grasshopper perched on a person's fingertip, showcasing its yellow body, intricate patterns, and large eyes.

A brightly colored insect with red, blue, and black markings, resting on a textured surface.

A panoramic view of lush green hills and rocky cliffs under a partly cloudy sky.

A scenic landscape featuring rolling green hills, a calm blue lake, and a mountain range under a partly cloudy sky.

A young deer standing on a stone path surrounded by lush greenery and vines.

A scenic view of lush green mountains under a blue sky with clouds, featuring a bird flying in the top left corner. — Cathedral Peak made a quick appearance!

Baboons seemed to like chilling on the road and are not afraid of cars. It required some manoeuvring to slalom around these guys.

A group of baboons walking on grass near a road, surrounded by tall grass and bushes.

A group of baboons sitting along a rural road surrounded by greenery and mountains under a cloudy sky.

A group of baboons sitting on a road surrounded by lush green trees and a directional sign for Didima.

A group of four baboons resting on a road, surrounded by tall grass.

A baboon and its baby sitting together on a road, surrounded by greenery.

From Cathedral Peak, we drove over towards the Sani Pass in Lesotho and stayed at Sani Lodge and Cottages. A really lovely place to stay with cosy rondavels with a hot tub outside, a spacious communal living room and kitchen with a fireplace which we used in the evenings. It is Fair Trade Tourism certified and supports local communities and Basotho culture through tours. Their emphasis is on sustainability and ethical travel and it is reflected in everything that they do. Beautiful walks on the doorstep including the Giants CupTrail. From the lodge, you can walk all the way up to the top of the mountain. It is an uphill walk over a rocky path but the views at the top are magnificent.

A rustic outdoor scene featuring a hot tub and a wood-burning stove, with a thatched-roof cottage in the background. The setting is surrounded by lush greenery and illuminated windows at dusk. — Hot tub

Close-up view of a grasshopper perched on the edge of a sign, with green foliage blurred in the background.

A close-up of a grasshopper perched on a white surface, surrounded by green foliage.

Close-up of a yellow and black spider in its web, surrounded by smaller spiders and remnants of prey. — Golden orb (I think?) spider with babies

A close-up of a vibrant yellow spider on its intricately woven web with a blurred natural background.

A panoramic view of green hills and cliffs under a bright blue sky with a few clouds. — That’s where we are going!

A scenic landscape showing lush green hills and a small village nestled among them, with a clear blue sky and fluffy clouds overhead.

A panoramic view of lush green hills and mountains under a clear blue sky.

A panoramic view of rolling green hills and mountains under a clear blue sky.

A smiling woman and man posing for a selfie outdoors, surrounded by green grass and a sunny landscape.

A man standing on a hillside, pointing towards a distant landscape that includes rolling green hills and a lake, wearing a backpack and a cap.

A panoramic view of a calm lake surrounded by green hills and grasslands under a clear blue sky.

A woman sitting on a rocky ledge with her arms outstretched, enjoying the panoramic view of lush green valleys and mountains in the background. — The top!

A panoramic view of lush green hills and valleys under a clear blue sky, with rocky terrain in the foreground.

A panoramic view of mountains and hills under a clear blue sky, with the sun shining brightly above the landscape.

A panoramic view of a lush green valley surrounded by mountains under a clear blue sky.

A person sitting on a rock ledge overlooking a lush green valley and distant mountains under a clear blue sky.

A woman sitting on a rock at the top of a hill, smiling with a scenic view of green valleys and mountains in the background, under a clear blue sky.

Panoramic view of rolling hills and valleys under a clear blue sky.

A man sitting on a rock in a lush green landscape with mountains and a blue sky in the background, enjoying a scenic view.

A hiker wearing a blue shirt and shorts stands on a rocky trail in a grassy landscape, looking towards a cliff under a clear blue sky.

A vibrant sunset over rolling hills, with orange and purple clouds scattered across the sky.

The highlight was yet to come – Sani Pass. What a magnificent drive it was. This is apparently a very scary and dangerous road – we found it ok and were more taken with the scenery that with any danger. It is described as “a dramatic, steep 4X4 gravel road linking South Africa to Lesotho climbing over 1,000 meters in just 8 kilometres to a height of 2,876m. Renowned for hairpin bends, steep drops, and spectacular scenery, it requires a capable 4×4 vehicle to navigate its rocky, steep terrain and provides access to the “highest pub in Africa”. Truly spectacular, photos do not capture the beauty and scale of the place. The incredible valleys, created over millions of years, the waterfalls, the birds, the road itself.

The drive to the border is also stunning, a small taster of what is to come.

Lush green hills and mountains under a partly cloudy sky, showcasing the beauty of a natural landscape.

Scenic view of rolling green hills and majestic mountains under a bright blue sky with fluffy white clouds.

A person taking a photo of a scenic landscape featuring rolling hills and mountains in the background.

A panoramic view of a lush green valley surrounded by rocky hills and distant mountains under a partly cloudy sky.

A man standing on a hillside, gazing at lush, green mountains under a partly cloudy sky.

A scenic view of a winding road through lush green hills and valleys under a partly cloudy sky.

A person standing outdoors in a green mountainous landscape, holding a camera and taking a photograph.

Lush green hills and mountains under a partly cloudy sky.

Scenic view of lush green valleys and mountains under a partly cloudy sky, with a person standing near tall grass in the foreground.

A panoramic view of green hills and mountains under a blue sky with scattered clouds.

A panoramic view of a lush green valley surrounded by rolling hills and rocky outcrops under a partly cloudy sky.

A scenic landscape featuring rolling green hills and steep mountains in the background, with a small waterfall visible among the foliage.

Scenic view of green hills and rocky cliffs under a blue sky with scattered clouds, featuring a dirt path leading through the landscape. — After the border crossing, going into the Sani Pass

A winding dirt path surrounded by lush green hills and shrubs under a blue sky with wispy clouds.

A white SUV parked on a dirt road in a mountainous landscape with lush green hills and cliffs under a blue sky.

A scenic view of rolling green hills and valleys under a partly cloudy sky.

A man and a woman smiling for a selfie on a hillside with lush green mountains and a cloudy sky in the background.

A panoramic view of rolling green hills and valleys under a cloudy blue sky.

A panoramic view of green hills and valleys with a winding dirt path, set against a backdrop of dramatic cliffs under a cloudy sky.

A panoramic view of lush green hills and a rugged mountain range under a partly cloudy sky.

Panoramic view of lush green hills and valleys under a partly cloudy sky.

A sweeping view of a winding dirt road through lush green mountains and valleys under a blue sky.

A panoramic view of rolling green hills and rugged cliffs under a partly cloudy sky, showcasing the natural beauty of a mountainous landscape.

A winding dirt road leads through a mountainous landscape with rolling green hills and distant blue sky.

A panoramic view of a lush green valley surrounded by mountains, with winding dirt paths leading through the landscape under a cloudy sky.

Two birds perched on bare branches against a backdrop of colorful foliage.

A small bird feeding on bright yellow flowers surrounded by green foliage.

A bird perched on a thin branch among green foliage, showcasing its slender body and long beak.

A colorful lizard resting on a rocky surface with a blurred natural background.

A gravel road descends through rugged hills, with rocky terrain on either side and a distant green valley visible under a partly cloudy sky. Two weathered signposts stand along the side of the road.

Winding dirt road surrounded by rocky cliffs and lush green hills under a blue sky.

Going down! When you really hope the brakes work….

A winding dirt road traversing a mountainous landscape with steep green hills and rocky cliffs.

This gives you an idea

Crossing into Lesotho felt like stepping into another world. As we drove up towards Black Mountain Pass, the landscape shifted dramatically—lush greens gave way to a vast, barren expanse, raw and untouched. The land stretched endlessly, dotted with hundreds of sheep and horses moving slowly across the high-altitude plains.

Along the way, we passed shepherds living in small, weather worn huts, wrapped in blankets, pausing to wave, ask for a cigarette, or gesture for a photo. There was something striking about the simplicity and resilience of life up there.

The scenery was both stunning and harsh, windswept, exposed, and almost otherworldly. It’s the kind of place that makes you feel very small, in the best possible way.

A scenic landscape featuring rolling hills and a field covered in yellow flowers, with a horse and sheep grazing in the foreground.

A scenic view of a rural landscape featuring a river flowing through grassy meadows surrounded by mountains. Several small farmhouses are visible in the background.

A person standing in front of a large yellow frame sign at the Sani Pass, surrounded by mountainous terrain and a clear blue sky. — Black Mountain pass at 3240 meters

A woman sitting on a low wall at the Sani Pass, showcasing a sign that indicates the highest point at 3240 meters above sea level. The background features a scenic view of mountains and a road under a partly cloudy sky. — A bit windy….

A panoramic view of a rugged landscape with two horseback riders in the foreground, grazing horses, and sparse vegetation under a partly cloudy sky.

I usually don’t feel comfortable photographing people and stick to landscapes and animals. These guys, however, were so keen to have their photo taken that I couldn’t say no. They are incredibly photogenic and so happy to see their photos. It reminded me of travelling in Mozambique in the early 90’s. As soon as you stopped on the road, people would appear from nowhere and want their photo taken. In those days they never got to see the pic as we had no digital cameras. These guys had no phones so we couldn’t send them the photos either. If I ever go back, I will print these and find them!

A group of eight individuals standing and sitting on a paved surface, wrapped in colorful blankets and wearing various head coverings, set against a green hillside.

A group of eight individuals, including a man in a blue shirt and shorts, standing together on a road with green hills in the background. They are wearing traditional clothing, including blankets and hats. — Geoff trying to blend in, sadly forgot his blanket

A person wearing a patterned sweater stands on a road, looking at a vibrant field of yellow flowers and green hills with grazing animals in the distance. — Me trying to blend in with the sheep, they weren’t impressed

A picturesque landscape featuring traditional stone huts with thatched roofs, surrounded by rocky terrain and rolling hills under a cloudy sky.

A rural landscape featuring traditional stone huts with thatched roofs, set against a backdrop of rolling hills and mountains.

Rural village landscape with stone houses and thatched roofs, featuring a small stream and people walking, set against rolling hills.

A landscape featuring two traditional stone houses with thatched roofs in a rural setting, surrounded by grassy terrain and mountains in the background.

A man wearing a blue striped hat and a patterned scarf stands outdoors, with a road and grassy landscape in the background.

Two individuals in traditional attire walking in a grassy field with a horse nearby and a distant sheep grazing.

A person walks across a colorful meadow filled with wildflowers, accompanied by a child, while sheep and other grazing animals are seen in the background.

A fluffy goat with curved horns standing in a field of bright yellow flowers.

Lush green landscape with grazing animals, a river flowing through, and distant mountains, featuring traditional huts near the water.

A traditional rural settlement featuring stone houses with thatched roofs, set against a mountainous landscape.

Traditional stone huts with thatched roofs in a rural landscape surrounded by mountains and open fields.

It was, sadly, time to leave Lesotho and the Drakensberg… What a magical place! Next stop, St Lucia on the way back to Maputo. St Lucia sits within the iSimangaliso Wetland Park UNESCO World Heritage Site with an estuary teeming with hippos and crocodiles and beautiful empty, wild beaches. The town itself is small and very safe apart from the hippos who walk around in the evenings. Going to Shoprite has never been so exciting!