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SD 10 – “Rocks, Tears and Gears”
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10 –“rocks, tears and gears”
Introduction
To be Announced...
Safari Venues
- Sani Pass
- Sehlabathebe
- Semonkong Lodge
- Maletsunyane Waterfall
- Ramabanta
- Baboons Pass
- Cannibal Pass
- Mamaebane Valley
- Maama's Pass
- Trading Post Lodge
Time of Year
- 24 April 2010 - 01 May 2010
Itinerary
| Day 1 |
Contestants
will drive on their own from where ever in
South Africa
to the Sani Top Chalets on top of
Sani
Pass
in
Lesotho
. The
Sani
Pass
is a spectacular mountain road that is a well-known
entry point into Lesotho
from South
Africa’s
Natal
Drakensberg
Park
. It is the gateway to the ‘Roof of Africa’
scenic route that links the spectacular scenery of
the Drakensberg
with the mountains of northern
Lesotho
. The Sani
Pass is the only border post between
Kwazulu-Natal
and
Lesotho
. A 4X4 vehicle is necessary
for this road especially if the weather is bad.
Never underestimate the changeability of the weather
in
Lesotho
. A common truth is that you can have four seasons
in one day, so be prepared. We will overnight at the
Sani Top Chalets. Also make sure that you have a
sundowner on the top of the Sani pass at the highest
pub in
Southern Africa
.
|
Day 2 |
After
breakfast we will leave for Sehlabathebe. We will
travel via
Black
Mountain
Pass
, Taung and
Matabeng
Pass.
Situated in the southeast corner of
Lesotho
, the main attraction of the spectacular
Sehlabethebe
National Park
is its exceptional
peace and solitude. The oldest nature reserve
in
Lesotho
, Sehlabathebe is remote
and rugged, with an average elevation of
2,400 metres. It is almost inaccessible, but
incredibly beautiful, with some shy antelope and
rare birds. You'll definitely
need a 4x4 vehicle for Sehlabethebe, and even
then you might get stuck going in or out and have to
wait for a river to recede after heavy rains.
There
are good camping facilities available and we
will overnight at in the campsite at Sehlabathebe. |
Day 3
|
After
breakfast we take down camp and tackle the road via
Seforong and various mountain passes to Semonkong
Lodge (“The Place of Smoke”) which will be our
base for the next two nights. The lodge is build of
stone and thatch and offers just the right balance
of rustic elegance, electricity and hot showers.
There is
a
fully licensed
bar & restaurant and also a communal
self-catering kitchen where we can prepare our
meals.
|
Day 4
|
Today
we will visit the nearby Maletsunyane waterfall.
The
Lesotho
highlands
make a perfect setting for this highest
single dropping waterfall of
Southern Africa
.
This is a majestic waterfall, which leaves a
striking impression on visitors after the relatively
tame
Maletsunyane
River
.
An interesting but tough activity in this place is
climbing down the gorge. The spray and the noise
from the waterfall, at the bottom, will make the
climb down worth it. The adventurous option is a
chance at a Guiness world record commercially
run abseil - the world's longest single
drop actually, from a 204 m high cliff.
The cliff is close to Semonkong right next to the
Maletsunyane Waterfall.
Set
on the edge of the spectacular
Maletsunyane
Falls
, this abseil descends 204m non–stop to the bottom
of the gorge were few people dare to tread. This is
abseiling at its best and most exciting. The
abseiling includes a half-day of training in and
around the Lodge on much more subdued cliff’s of
only 25m. Here our qualified guides help you to get
familiar with the equipment and the techniques used
on this extreme abseil. The following morning, while
the air is still fresh, you take a 4X4 drive out to
the abseil site where the real fun begins. This is
not for the faint-hearted.
A
maximum of 4 people per training for the
Maletsunyane
Falls
abseil.
Alternatively,
for a more relaxed afternoon you could choose to
spend the afternoon abseiling on the pleasant cliffs
around the Lodge at M165.00 per person.
We
will stay again at Semonkong Lodge.
|
Day 5 |
For
the routes and passes of the next three days we will
make use of services of Ashley Thorn. He is the boss
of “Roof of
Africa
” and needless to say the guide that will provide
us with the most excitement for the next three days.
After
breakfast we leave for Ramabanta. Hidden
deep in the mountains of the King of Lesotho, with
spectacular views across the valley, Ramabanta
Trading Post Lodge is the Ideal Location for the
adventurer seeking the ultimate challenge in
off-road trails or the traveller who wants the peace
and tranquility of trekking on horseback or hiking
through the valleys and mountains of
Lesotho
. 
On
our way to the campsite at Ramabanta, we will travel
via Jockstrap Pass, Makhaleng West Bank, Black Neck,
Makhalaneng
Valley
and Nkesi’s Pass.
|
| Day 6 |
Today
we are going to tackle the
Baboons
Pass.
Much is written about this famous pass and I suggest
that you Google;
Baboons Pass
Lesotho
for all the gruesome detail.
After
conquering
Baboons
Pass
we will return to Ramabanta where we will spend the
night. |
| Day 7 |
Today’s
trek will take us via
Cannibal
Pass
,
Mamaebana
Valley
, Don’t Cough Pass,
Elephant
Pass
and Maama’s Pass to Trading Post Lodge in Roma. Trading
Post Lodge is the Ideal Location for the
adventurer seeking the ultimate challenge in
off-road trails or the traveler who wants the peace
and tranquility of trekking on horseback or hiking
through the valleys and mountains of
Lesotho
.
|
Day 8
|
Repair
vehicles if necessary and everybody prepares to
leave for their various destinations.
Everybody
must be prepared for snow because snow falls are
possible in
Lesotho
12 months of the year and one can also expect to
have four seasons in one day. |
Costs
The costs listed below are based on a minimum of 14
vehicles/28 adults.
( All prices are subject to
changes )
| Adults |
R3 000.00 per person |
Included
- FGASA & DEAT registered guide
- Level 2 First Aid Personnel
- Fully equipped recovery vehicle
- All camping fees
Excluded
- 3rd Party insurance
- Road tax
- Personal purchases
- All Activities
- Camping Equipment
- Fuel, Food and Beverages
Deposit
A non-refundable deposit of R 1 500.00 per person
is required in order to confirm a booking. The balance is due a minimum of 14 days prior to departure.
Enquiries & Bookings
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