SCORPION LIFESTYLE CLUB

TIME OF YEAR

 

24 April 1 May 2010

 

 

ITINERARY

 

DAY 1 (24 April 2010)

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 camp 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 (25 April 2010)

 

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 the campsite at Sehlabathebe.

 

DAY 3 (26 April 2010)

 

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. We will be camping for two nights. There isa fully licensed bar & restaurant and also a communal self-catering kitchen where we can prepare our meals.

 

DAY 4 (27 April 2010)

 

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 camp again at Semonkong Lodge.

 

 

DAY 5 (28 April 2010)

 

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 (29 April 2010)

 

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 camp the night.

 

DAY 7 (30 April 2010)

 

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. We will camp for the night.

 

DAY 8 (1 Mei 2010)

 

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.