Sani Valley Lodge offers five styles of luxury private nature lodges with the choice of fully inclusive or self-catering accommodation with daily housekeeping services. Situated on a 260-acre lake, the luxury lodges, well-stocked game reserve and trout fishing lake provide a chance to relax and absorb the panoramic mountain views. One can enjoy a massage, go fly fishing, game viewing on horseback or be active on the lake. The adventure of the Sani Pass, hiking to the Bushmen paintings and exploring the beautiful Underberg / Himeville area presents opportunities for all.
Sani Valley offers a range of special honeymoon lodges, family accommodation and also caters for groups looking to escape and experience something memorable. It welcomes international guests and values its loyal local support hugely.
Thanks to its high altitude of the Drakensberg region, where Sani Valley is located, enjoys great seasonal contrasts making it wonderful to visit, at any time of the year. Sani Valley is located in the Southern Drakensberg. The closest villages are the twinned villages of Underberg and Himeville. The road which links The Mountain Kingdom of Lesotho and KwaZulu-Natal passes by Sani Valley through the spectacular Sani Pass. A 4x4 and passports are required to visit the top of the Sani Pass, where the well known highest Pub in Africa is situated and beyond it the beauty of the Lesotho highlands.
Spectacular gorges and valleys
Most of KwaZulu-Natal's major rivers rise here and plunge down into the steep-sided gorges and valleys below. Sani Pass is only a 30-minute drive from Himeville and 15 minutes from Underberg.
A vast protected area
Almost the entire Drakensberg area is a protected park, a paradise of trails, rivers and dams, with an abundance of wildlife and rare plant. Rivers and dams are well stocked with trout, making fly-fishing especially rewarding. Sani Valley borders the Sani Pass and the National Nature Reserve.
A fascinating ancient culture
The Bushman San hunter-gatherers lived on these mountains from about 8000 years ago until the mid-1800s and left behind a priceless legacy of rock art. These fascinating paintings tell the story of their stone-age culture, rituals and spiritual beliefs. Take a walk into the uKhalhamba Drakensberg Park to see these wonderful paintings, which are some of the finest in the Drakensberg.
Sani Valley boasts the best wildlife in the area. The entire valley is game-fenced and stocked with an abundance of wildlife. Sani Valley doesn't have the big five, but you will be able to walk among the zebra, eland, springbok and many other antelope. Other game, such as jackals and baboons, are able to pass through from the bordering Heritage site mountains. Often you will wake up to find a herd of Blesbuck in front of your lodge.
The Southern Drakensberg of KwaZulu-Natal affords a greater variety of fly fishing opportunities than any other district in South Africa for here flow the lyric Mzimkhulu, Pholela and Mkhomazi, the Ngwangwane and Ndawana, the Mzimkhulwana and Mkhomazana to mention but a few. Into this well-watered mountain land of towering peaks and tumbling rivers, are set the twin villages of Underberg and Himeville.
Sani Valley is the perfect spot for boating and swimming. The lake has a dugout edge so there is no need to wade through reeds and slush.
There are a number of boats available for guests to use (fishing or leisurely cruises). Guests can either opt for a motor for their boat or they can utilise oars. (Boats & motors are an optional extra) .
The Bushmen hunter-gatherers, also called San people, lived on these mountain slopes from about 8000 years ago until the mid-1800's, and left behind them a priceless legacy of rock art in the caves and overhangs. These ancient paintings tell the story of their stone age culture, rituals and spiritual beliefs.