The Sani Pass is the picturesque border area that divides southern Lesotho from South Africa and the Drakensberg Park area. Here is the Thabana Ntlenyana (3,482 m), the highest peak in Lesotho and in the southern part of the African continent.

We overnight at the Sani Mountain Lodge, a characteristic accommodation structure located right in the panoramic border point .
Along the asphalt road that leads from Lesotho to the Sani Pass, we find the signs for the start of the hike to the summit. From here we walk along a fairly easy but often not very obvious path. There are some stone cairns that help us but they were absent in some points of the route making it difficult to follow the correct itinerary.
After about 1h15 of walking we arrive near an extraordinary panoramic balcony from which we can see the summit of Thabana Ntlenyana, the surrounding mountains, the Sani Pass and the boundless plains that extend below its overhanging rock walls. We are behind schedule and the wind, always very strong, begins to increase. We therefore decide to go back without continuing further since the summit of Thabana Ntlenyana, that is still several hours away from here. On the way back we have the opportunity to admire two very rare specimens of vultures (Bearded Vulture and Cape Vulture) flying above us, at an incredibly close distance.
Although it is a route without major difficulties, it is advisable to make the hike to the summit of Thabana Ntlenyana with a guide, especially due to the difficulties encountered in finding the route.

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N.B. The description refers to the conditions encountered on the date of the excursion. Before embarking on the itinerary, find out about its current conditions and the possible presence of snow and/or ice, to evaluate the feasibility of the excursion and equip yourself with the appropriate equipment. Always consult the snow, avalanche and weather reports in advance.

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