The Lesotho Mountain Kingdom 4×4 Tour has been designed to provide a perfect blend of stunning scenery, fascinating local culture, staggeringly beautiful waterfalls, the biggest dams and at least 16 exciting, high altitude mountain passes, including the international award winning Mafika Lisiu pass.
Highlights of the Lesotho Mountain Kingdom 4×4 Tour V6:
Sani Pass, Highest pub in Africa, Letseng Diamond Mine, Moteng Pass, Oxbow Lodge, Liphofung Caves, Muela Hydro Power Station, Mafika Lisiu Pass, Bokong Nature Reserve, Katse Dam, Thaba Bosiu cultural centre, Longest pedestrian bridge in Africa, Metolong Dam, Botsoela Falls, Malealea Lodge, Gates of Paradise Pass, Maletsunyane Falls, Blanket Talk, Semongkong Lodge, Senqu Horseshoe, Tsoelike Pass & Suspension Bridge, Sehlabatebe National Park, Ramatseliso’s Pass.
Lesotho Mountain Kingdom 4×4 Tour V6 Itinerary
Day Zero: Wednesday, 28th October, 2026
The group will meet on the afternoon of Wednesday, 28th April, 2026 at Resthaven Guest House in Matatiele for radio fitment, happy hour and the driver briefing, after which we will enjoy a hearty dinner. Wifi available. This venue is unlicencsd. Bring your own alcohol.
Day 1: Thursday, 29th October
Distance: 320 km – Matatiele to Oxbow Lodge
Starting in Matatiele, the tour kicks off with an easy drive, on a mix of tar and gravel to the KZN town of Underberg, via the Swartberg farming area and wetlands, from where we head directly to the foot of the Sani Pass. The pass has been improved and tarred up to the SA Border Control Point. We will get our passports stamped here and enjoy the technical drive up the Sani Pass.
It requires plenty of concentration. We will talk you up the pass over the radios, offering advice about gearing, speed and driving lines, as we climb up to the 2867m high summit, where we will check in at Lesotho Customs, then pause for photographs of the pass from the summit. A light lunch will be enjoyed at the Highest Pub in Africa.
Our destination for the first night in Lesotho is the Oxbow Lodge. Getting there is a journey in itself as we will first traverse the Black Mountain Pass (Kotisephola Pass) which summits at 3244m ASL. Here you will begin to understand the magnitude of the mountain passes in Lesotho. If your vehicle feels underpwoered, it’s because oxygen levels are low at those altitudes. You’ll get used to it.
One of the highlights of the first day is driving over the new Senqu Bridge which will soon cover the waters of the new Polihale Dam, the third of the Lesotho Highlands Water Project.
This is followed by the Pass of Guns (Khalo La Lithunya), Tlaeeng Pass, Letseng Diamond Mine (the highest in the world) and Mahlasela Pass past Afriski where the lodge is located on the eastern end of the Moteng Pass, on the banks of the Malibamats’o River. The road is tarred all the way, and takes the traveller through some of the most breath-taking scenery in Lesotho.
The Oxbow Lodge is old and charming. There are fires burning in the fireplaces year round. This is one of the coldest places in Lesotho. It can still snow in October, so come prepared.
There is wifi available in the bar, reception and dining room. The venue is licenced.
Note: Because of the high altitudes, your vehicle will have less power and you will consequently use more fuel for the same speed. Make allowance for this when calculating your fuel range. Vehicles with a range of 450 km or less should carry an extra 20 litres of fuel in a steel jerrycan.
Day 2: Friday 30th October
Distance: 165 km > Oxbow Lodge to Leribe
Our first pass of the day is the Moteng Pass which summits at 2820m and is often the scene of road closures and trucking accidents in the snowy months. This major pass is located between the town of Butha Buthe in the west and the Afriski Resort in the north in the northern quartile of Lesotho. It has a huge altitude gain of 896m that stretches over a distance of 15.3 km which converts into an average gradient of 1:17, but don’t be fooled by that figure as it includes the descent. Most of the ascent from the western approach is between 1:5 and 1:8. It is imperative to descend these big passes using engine compression to avoid brakes overheating and possibly failing. Don’t worry. We’ll talk you through the process at the appropriate time.
The 91 bends, corners and curves will require your full concentration. Amongst those there are 4 extreme hairpin bends and one full horseshoe. The A1 road is the major route across the northern sector of Lesotho and as such carries a fair volume of traffic including some very large trucks. These need the full width of the road to negotiate the hairpin bends, so be fully aware of this as you proceed along this pass. There are often hold ups on this pass, due to heavy trucks getting stuck on the hairpin bends, but don’t worry, we have an alternate route to take should that happen.
We will visit either the Liphofung Caves or the Muela Hydro-Power Station, and possibly both if the weather is clear and we are running on schedule. The Muela tour involves walking down a tunnel of about 700 m length to see the turbines in action. The walk back will get your heart rate up a bit!
We pass through the town of Butha Buthe to arrive at the Arts and Craft Centre where local (handicapped) ladies do wool spinning. We support this venture as a good cause, where various quality local items are for sale.
Our overnight venue is the Naleli Guest House. Wifi available. Licenced.
Day 3: Saturday 31st October
Distance 250 km Leribe to Thaba Tseka via Katse Dam
The day starts with an easy drive through several villages, (you will soon learn what Four plus One is) before arriving at one of the two main attractions of the day.
The Mafika Lisiu Pass was especially rebuilt to cater for the heavy trucks taking fly-ash and cement to the Katse Dam during the construction phase. The engineering of the pass received an international award and has mostly gentle curves and only one hairpin bend to cater for the trucks.
If the 3091m high summit is free of clouds, we will stop at the spacious view-site for photos. Always have a windbreaker ready as the wind can howl through the nek. We often experienmce temperature variances between the bottom and the top of the pass of up to 20 degrees C.
The descent of the award winning Mafika Lisiu Pass gets us to Ha Lejone, where we see the cream-soda coloured waters of the Katse Dam will be seen for the first time, where you will see the intake tower that feeds water by gravity all the way to South Africa via an ingenious tunnel system.
After crossing the dam via the Mphorosong bridge, we will drive two back to back tarred passes – the Laitsoka and Nkoabee passes, before arriving at the main attraction of the day – the Katse Dam. We will do a 40 minute tour of the dam which includes a short lecture at the Visitor Centre as well as going down into the wall itself to marvel at the engineering. We will also do a drive over the dam wall, where you can take photos and videos.
There will be plenty of time for photography and videography, but note no photography is allowed inside the dam wall.
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The afternoon will be consumed by a scenic, but slow and bumpy 65 km drive along the gravel toad to Thaba Tseka, to our overnight venue of The Clan.
The venue is licenced. Wifi available in the bar, reception and dining area.
Day 4: Sunday, 1st November
Travel distance: 130 km > Thaba Tseka to Thaba Bosiu
Another action packed day filled with stunning passes which include Mokhoabong Pass, Pass of Jackals, Marakabeis and Cheche’s passes, after which we stop in for a look at the Mohale Dam. This is a feeder dam for the Katse and boasts being the largest concrete faced, rock walled dam in Africa. We will take you down the zig-zag road of the dam wall and through a road tunnel under the 40m wide spillway. If the dam is overflowing, this is a rare treat to experience.
This is followed by another four passes – Likalaneng, Blue Mountain, God Help Me and Bushmens passes. We will arrive close to lunch time at the farm playing host to Sani Wines – the only winery in Lesotho, where we will do a wine tasting and you will have the opportunity to buy some of the product. A short drive on mainly tarred roads will get us to the Thaba Bosiu Cultural Village, which will be our home for the next two nights. You will have the rest of the afternoon as free time. Licenced. Wifi in bar, reception and dining room.
Day 5: Monday, 2nd November
An easy day of sight seeing.
After breakfast we will meet up with our local guide (we call him Aha! and you will see why) for a fascinating walking tour of the cultural village. You will learn more about Lesotho in this hour than the rest of the tour. Thaba Bosiu is a spiritual place, much revered by the locals.
On our way back, we will divert to walk the impressive Metolong Foot bridge which spans the Metolong Dam (Maseru’s main water supply). The bridge was built to connect two villages on either side of the dam. A short drive on dodgy gravel will get us to the Metalong Dam Wall, where we will drive a short, steep pass which allows good views of the downstream side of the wall. If the dam is overflowing, this is a lovely sight.
A mandatory stop is at Qiloane Mountain, a stand alone conical peak, which is said to be the inspiration of the traditional Basotho straw hat with a top know, known as a Mokorotlo
For those with some spare energy you can take the short, stiff walk up to the top of the Thaba Bosiu Mountain, where King Moshoeshoe kept his enemies at bay and was never defeated
In the late afternoon you will be invited to participate in an African drumming session. Not only is this lots of fun, but it is very informative.
Day 6: Tuesday 3rd November
Travel distance: 110 km > Thaba Bosiu to Malealea
We leave Thaba Bosiu and travel through the town of Roma (our main refueling point) the home of Lesotho’s National University and situated below stunning sandstone cliffs and rock formations until we reach the gravel road to Malealea Lodge.
We will enjoy a lovely day of gravel road driving via the Botsoela Pass to visit the twin falls of Botsoela and our overnight venue which is the tranquil Malealea Lodge, set in a lush valley with many trees. This road requires some quite challenging driving in low range and can be slippery after rain. We will be there to recover you if you get yourself stuck.
Malealea is licenced. Wifi available in the bar, reception and dining room. The local choir will sing for us and a Sotho band playing entirely on home made instruments will get your feet tapping.
Day 7: Wednesday 4th November
Distance: 185 km > Malealea to Semonkong & Maletsunyane Falls
Highlight of the day is a visit to the Maletsunyane Waterfall with a straight drop of 198m. To get there we first drive two big passes – Gates of Paradise and Makhaleng passes with a final refuelling stop in Roma
At Semonkong we will enjoy another Basotho cultural experience which is fabulously interesting – The Blanket Talk. You will have the opportunity to buy a Basotho blanket directly from Me Maseto, the presenter. The blanket talk will take place on the balcony overlooking the waterfall with the vultures soaring overhead. It’s a very special place.
Our overnight venue is the Semonkong Lodge with its thatched rondavels set along the banks of the Maletsunyane river. Semonkong translates into Place of Smoke – with reference to the spray and mist from the Maletsunyane waterfall. This is the only venue where you will experience interrupted electricity supply. The power runs from 0800 until 20.00 daily, so remember to charge your phones and devices in your vehicle the day prior. Also ensure that you have a good headlamp and spare batteries. You can ask the staff to prepare a cosy fire in your room, whilst you are enjoying dinner. There is wifi available in the bar and dining room.
Day 8: Thursday 5th November
Distance : 160 km > Semonkong to Sehlabathebe via Tsoelike Pass and Christ the King Mission.
We bid Semonkong farewell as we follow the canyon carved out by the Senqu River and stop near the mission station of Christ the King to enjoy the huge horseshoe bend in the river. No photo can do this scene justice.
We follow the A3 (a beautiful new Chinese built road) and detour to drive the gravel Tsoelike Pass with its old suspension bridge built by German missionaries in 1930 and some dizzying switchbacks to reach the summit. We then double back down the pass, but take a different route all along the northern side of the Tsoelike River canyon. This road includes four distinct big mountain passes and some of the most stunning scenery in Lesotho.
Our route heads towards the magical Sehlabathebe National Park where we will overnight at a brand new lodge (the Tsoelike River Lodge) in the most pristine surroundings imaginable. The lodge runs entirely on solar. It’s located on a hillside with sweeping views of the Tsoelike River valley. The lodge is not yet fully complete with some construction still on the go in the entertainment area. There is no wifi or electricity here. You will be completely off the grid.
Day 9: Friday 6th November (Sehlabathebe to Matatiele)
A short drive gets us to the entrance gates and reception of the Sehlabathebe National Park. We saved the best for last as you will experience amazing sights of high altitude lakes and weird sandstone rock formations. It’s a photographers dream. A walk of about two hour’s duration led by Philip, will take in all the best spots. A lunch break will be taken at this beautiful spot.
We have an easy drive on a new tarred road to the border post at Rama’s Gate.
Once through the border we descend to Matatiele via Ramatseliso’s Pass. Save some of your energy as this final leg back into South Africa is rough, bumpy, and slow.
Our final night will be back where we started, at Resthaven, for our end of tour festivities and customary Chappies awards.
Day 10: Saturday 7th November 2026
Farewell. Fill up and head for home, but remember to inflate your tyres before driving at highway speeds.
Our routes are always bespoke and you will be guaranteed the trip of a lifetime, packed with facts, cultural, folklore, history and geology snippets – all of it done in a safe, responsible manner.
KEY DETAILS
- Total tour distance: 1500 km (Matat to Matat)
- Drivers briefing, VHF radio fitment & welcoming party: From 1600, Wednesday 28th October, 2026
- Start: Matatiele – 08h00, Thursday, 29th October 2026
- Closing function & prize-giving: 18h00, 6th November 2026 at Resthaven
- Departure and end of tour: 09h30, 7th November, after breakfast.
- All vehicles will be supplied with crystal-clear FM marine-quality two-way radios so we can communicate with you. (This is included in the tour price)
- All participants must have valid passports with a minimum of 6 months before expiry (calculated from the start date of the tour).
VEHICLES
- 4×4 only – with low range and ample ground clearance
- Maximum of 12 vehicles on this tour
COST
- Cost of accommodation, meals, drinks for your own account.
- We take care of all the bookings
- MPSA will invoice you for your accommodation/meals about 3 weeks ahead of the tour.
- Work on R1550 per person, per day (sharing), incl. two meals per day (DBB). All the accommodation is 3 to 4 star rated or higher. Single supplement rates apply if you’re driving alone. (Usually about 60% of the double rate)
- Our lunch breaks are held wherever we can find a nice spot to stop (usually somewhere shady and scenic). Lunches are light and we suggest packing easy to travel foods like crackers, cheese wedges, biltong, droë-wors, dried and fresh fruit and a flask of tea or coffee in the car is great to have with on these tours.
- We have a zero alcohol policy during the day whilst driving.
- Note : No pets allowed.
Please note that accommodation & meal prices above are approximate. We usually come out lower than the stated amount.
Tour price (excluding accommodation and meals):
1 Vehicle/1 Person R 21,973
1 Vehicle/2 People R 22,973
1 Vehicle/3 People R 23,973
1 Vehicle/4 People R 24,973
Tour price is calculated on number of adults (over 18) per vehicle. Children under 18 go free.
What is included in the price:
The price of the tour includes guiding, pamphlets, maps, name tags, radio hire, emergency use of satellite phone, standard recovery costs, administration and documentation, but excludes accommodation & food.
The following are also included: Lesotho Road Tax, Tourism Levy, Liphofung Caves and Muela entry fees, Katse Dam tour fees, Thaba Bosiu Cultural Tour fees, African drumming Experience, Maletsunyane Falls entry costs, Blanket Presentation Talk, Sethlabathebe National Park entry fees.
Recovery costs do not include mechanical breakdown, lowbed recovery, but does include towing out of a difficult situation or kinetic recoveries, winching and assistance with punctures.
Mountain Passes South Africa (MPSA) arranges every last detail. We send you a packing list of what you need well before the tour. All you have to do is arrive with your ‘padkos’ and snacks and enjoy the tour.
CANCELLATION POLICY
If you cancel more than 60 days ahead of the tour:
* If you are able to resell your place to a friend or family member = 100% refund or 100% credit voucher.
* If we resell your ticket on your behalf = 80% refund or 100% credit voucher
* If we are unable to resell your ticket = 70% refund or 90% credit
If you cancel between 60 and 30 days before the tour:
* If you are able to resell your place to a friend or family member = 100% refund or 100% credit voucher.
* If we resell your ticket on your behalf = 70% refund or 90% credit voucher
* If we are unable to resell your ticket = 60% refund or 80% credit
If you cancel less than 30 days before the tour:
* If you are able to resell your place to a friend or family member = 100% refund or 100% credit voucher.
* If we resell your ticket on your behalf = 60% refund or 80% credit voucher
* If neither of the above apply = 40% refund or 60% credit voucher
Accommodation & meal refunds:
Invoices are generally sent out between 4 and 6 weeks ahead of the tour start date.
* If you have already received your invoice, you are liable for it, subject to us interacting with the various venues to get you a refund. We pay the venues up front for your accommodation. Most of the establishments are reasonable and offer a full or partial refund, depending on how close to the booking date the cancellation occurs. Whatever we can negotiate will be credited to you in full.
Please get in touch with us directly with any questions you may have by email: info@mountainpassessouthafrica.co.za
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During your first purchase, your account will be auto-created, using the email address you supply at checkout.
