SANI LODGE
Backpackers Accommodation
on Sani Pass, Drakensberg,
KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
Sani Lodge Backpackers was started by Simone and Russell (author of "A
Backpacker's Guide to Lesotho") in 1992 and they take great pride in taking
personal care of their guests to this day. Together they have years of travel
experience and can thus offer practical advice both for travel and sightseeing
in the area and further afield in Lesotho and South Africa. The Lodge provides a
wide range of clean, comfortable accommodation deep in the majestic Southern
Drakensberg Mountains of South Africa and is situated on a well established farm
on the Sani Pass, the gateway to the mountain Kingdom of Lesotho and just 16km
from the SA border post. Sani Lodge is a peaceful country haven, offering rural
charm, superb views, fresh farm milk from Josie the Jersey cow, homemade
yoghurt, icecream, cream cheese and butter, homegrown organic fruit turned into
delicious preserves and jams, farm cheese and trout, legendary chocolate cake
and home-cooked meals topped by a "home away from home" atmosphere. Let the
stress of city life, along with its maddening sounds and pollutants, simply melt
away, as you kick off your shoes and inhale pure air in these tranquil
surrounds, where pristine nature is right on the doorstep.
"I go to nature to be soothed and healed, and to have my senses put in tune once
more." (Burroughs 1837 - 1921)
Sani Lodge's ecofriendly gardens have been planted with indigenous shrubs, trees
and flowering plants in order to attract prolific birdlife and butterflies and
provide shelter for resident duiker and reedbuck. So you can gaze at the
mountains by day, and arm yourselves with binoculars for some surprisingly good
bird watching and then cast your eyes upwards at the starry heavens by night,
whilst listening to the whistle of the reedbuck or snort of the grey rhebok. Our
policy of no pets being allowed, no quad bikes on the property, and no
television, is in keeping with the credence of nature preservation and
tranquility here. Rediscover the lost art of stimulating conversation too! Sani
Lodge is a strictly non-smoking establishment. No pets are allowed on the
property.
All photographs shown above are of Sani Lodge, its views and Drakensberg
Adventures activity tours.
ACCREDITATION
Sani Lodge Backpackers is FAIR TRADE AND TOURISM SOUTH AFRICA CERTIFIED. Sani
Loge Backpackers is also GREENLEAF ENVIRONMENTAL STANDARD REGISTERED.
History Of The Farm
Part of the property was once owned by Mokhotlong Mountain Transport, who
pioneered the Sani Pass and into Lesotho in land-rovers in the late 50's. A
photographic display of David Alexander in these early days is in the Giant's
Cup Tea Garden and Restaurant, just 50m from the Lodge.
The other part of the property once belonged to the Mackenzie's, who are well
known pioneering farmers in the district.
Accommodation
Budget accommodation ranges from camping, 4 bed dormitories, 5 double/twin
standard not
en-suite rooms, 4 en-suite heated thatch rondavels, and 2 family self-catering
cottages, to a large group facility. Bedding is provided in all rooms.
There is a modern, fully equipped, centrally located, self-catering kitchen, and
braai areas.
The central lodge offers a cosy open fireplace and private reading room, whilst
the sundownerverandah facing the sun setting over the mountains of Lesotho, is
the meeting place for friendly international chatter.
Ablutions are aplenty, clean and airy, with the outdoor shower providing
unforgettable mountain views.
Campers have their own separate ablutions with hot showers and a basic kitchen.
There are no power points.
Tours
Based at Sani Lodge is Drakensberg Adventures Tour Company owned and run by
Russell and Simone, which has been in operation since 1998, offering superior
and memorable action packed tours with experienced, highly qualified guides.
Lesotho tours going up Sani Pass are specially designed for the intrepid
traveller, range from 1 full day to 6 days and go as far as Khatse Dam. The
trips focus on hiking, villages, pony trekking and Basotho culture. There are
also informative guided day walks to excellent Bushman Paintings in the
vicinity, horseriding, and tailor-made guided hiking trips with qualified
mountain guides.
Special 3 and 4 night packages available include dormitory accommodation (may be
upgraded to doubles/en-suite rooms), all meals and tours. Unbeatable value! All
prices for tours may be obtained from contacting Sani Lodge Backpackers
directly.
Other Activities
Once you are here, you need not step back into your vehicle as the Lodge is
perfectly situated for exploring the wilderness area on foot. It is at the start
of the famous Giant's Cup Trail, as well as numerous other wilderness hikes into
the mountains. Climb to Hodgson's Peaks (3256m), dip in crystal clear streams
and idyllic mountain pools, see reedbuck, eland, rhebok, duiker, baboon, rock
hyrax, bearded and cape vulture, and photograph or sketch abundant wild flowers.
This is the place poets and artists dream of.
Try your hand at trout / bass fishing on nearby dams, get out your binoculars to
watch the prolific birdlife, go mountain biking, raft the rivers in summer, play
tennis, squash or golf nearby, take a stroll along the farm nature trail with
illustrated guide booklet compiled by Russell and Simone or enjoy a cup of tea /
coffee whilst using the Internet at the Café.
You may visit the dairy to try your hand at milking and then sample the creamy
Jersey milk or observe butter being made in our ingenious stream powered butter
churn. Additional on-site facilities include a guest laundry service.
Meals
All meals are available in the on-site café /restaurant open daily , offering
farm breakfasts, homemade cakes, pancakes, toasted sandwiches ,trout and cheese
platters, milkshakes, plunger coffee and teas. All of our food is prepared on
site just like in the good ol' days! The craft shop offers a wide range of
crafts sourced from small enterprises in South Africa, Lesotho and Zimbabwe ,
books , maps, as well as a selection of home industry foodstuffs including our
own dairy produce and jams , books, maps, and even a camper�s corner for
supplies. Dinner needs to be ordered well in advance and confirmed along with
the accommodation booking. Breakfast may be ordered the night before.
How To Get Here
Just 10.5km down the Sani Pass Road on the left hand side and 1Km from the Sani
Pass Hotel. Transfers from and to Durban, Pietermaritzburg and Kokstad.
Contact Us
OR
See next to main photo for alternative contact details.
Have you seen our other adverts?Honeyguide CottageThe Giant's Cup Tea Garden And RestaurantDrakensberg Adventures
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