×

South Africa🇿🇦 | townsUnderbergSani Pass gateway, 4x4 switchbacks, trout streams, supply stop | things to do and best time to go

Explore SabieExplore Montagu

Backpacking in Underberg
👌 Worth visitingtown ranked #16
By Johan Kruseman 🇳🇱 | Updated October 22, 2026

Underberg is the last town with a proper supermarket, ATM and fuel before the road climbs to Sani Pass, so everything you need for the Drakensberg's far south has to be bought here. It sits in the southern Drakensberg foothills of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. I once arrived on a Sunday with no cash and found shops closing early, so withdraw on arrival. The town itself is small and not worth lingering over. The reason to come is the mountains, and the evenings are quiet, with a few hostels where you meet other hikers over a braai.

Discover everything you want to know in the 📖 South Africa Travel Guide.


example page 0 from our offline Travel Guide for South Africa
example page 1 from our offline Travel Guide for South Africa
example page 2 from our offline Travel Guide for South Africa
example page 3 from our offline Travel Guide for South Africa
example page 4 from our offline Travel Guide for South Africa
example page 5 from our offline Travel Guide for South Africa
example page 6 from our offline Travel Guide for South Africa
example page 7 from our offline Travel Guide for South Africa
Loading the map 🌍
CLICK TO FILTER
cities
towns
villages
landmarks
national parks
hikes
beaches
attractions
festivals
regions
SHOW COUNTRY’S BESTSHOW ALL

✨ Why go?
Ranked #16 town in South AfricaReasons people choose to visit here

Underberg works because it is the practical gateway to Sani Pass and the Lesotho border, with outfitters, a supermarket and lodges all within a few walkable streets. Most backpackers stay two or three nights, using it to stock up, book a 4x4 tour or set off on foothill hikes and trout-river walks. It suits hikers, solo travelers and small groups who want mountain access without a long approach. Nightlife barely exists. Evenings revolve around a hostel fire, a pub meal and an early start. If you want city energy, look elsewhere; if you want trailheads, this is the place.

💡 HighlightsThe experiences that define the visit

  1. Sani Pass: The gravel switchback road climbs to Lesotho, with waterfalls and sheer basalt walls. Go on a guided 4x4 day tour (about US$70 to 100, 6 to 8 hours) in clear weather, spring to autumn.
  2. Sani Pass Lesotho border viewpoint and the Sani Top Chalet: Reach the top of the escarpment for the view east over KwaZulu-Natal. Entry is part of a tour; allow 1 to 2 hours at the top. Come in the morning when the cloud is thinner.
  3. Underberg town center: A short stroll past the outfitters, cafés and farm stores gives a feel for a working farming town. It is free and takes 30 to 45 minutes. Mornings are busiest.
  4. Himeville Museum: Housed in an old fort-like building in neighboring Himeville, it covers local settler and colonial history. Entry is cheap, usually under US$2, and 45 minutes is plenty. It
… read more 👉
  1. Sani Pass: The gravel switchback road climbs to Lesotho, with waterfalls and sheer basalt walls. Go on a guided 4x4 day tour (about US$70 to 100, 6 to 8 hours) in clear weather, spring to autumn.
  2. Sani Pass Lesotho border viewpoint and the Sani Top Chalet: Reach the top of the escarpment for the view east over KwaZulu-Natal. Entry is part of a tour; allow 1 to 2 hours at the top. Come in the morning when the cloud is thinner.
  3. Underberg town center: A short stroll past the outfitters, cafés and farm stores gives a feel for a working farming town. It is free and takes 30 to 45 minutes. Mornings are busiest.
  4. Himeville Museum: Housed in an old fort-like building in neighboring Himeville, it covers local settler and colonial history. Entry is cheap, usually under US$2, and 45 minutes is plenty. It opens limited hours, so go in the morning.
  5. Local trout streams and farm walks: Several nearby farms offer fly-fishing and short walks along streams under the mountains. Expect US$10 to 25 for access or a permit, 2 to 4 hours, best in the cool morning.
Underberg suits day trips to Sani Pass, Lesotho's Sani Top, Coleford Nature Reserve and Lake Lurie. Combine the Sani Pass tour with Himeville Museum if you return before it closes.
Spotted a mistake or missing something? Contact us.

Things to do around Underberg

Sani Pass and Lesotho Day Tour from Underberg

Sani Pass and Lesotho Day Tour from Underberg

4.6(117)
From €76
per personViator
Sani Pass day trip

Sani Pass day trip

4.8(67) 24h
From €123
per personViator
Sani Pass and Lesotho Day Tour from Underberg

Sani Pass and Lesotho Day Tour from Underberg

4.9(11) 6h 30m
From €61
per personViator
Sani Pass Private Day Tour

Sani Pass Private Day Tour

4.2(12) 6h 30m
From €351
per personViator
Extended Lesotho Day Tour - 9.5 Hours

Extended Lesotho Day Tour - 9.5 Hours

5.0(6) 9h 30m
From €83
per personViator
Sani Pass Private Day Tour

Sani Pass Private Day Tour

5.0(2) 6h 30m
From €137
per personViator
Lesotho Bicycle Day Tour

Lesotho Bicycle Day Tour

5.0(1) 8h
From €86
per personViator
Saga of the Sani Pass and Mokhotlong Tour

Saga of the Sani Pass and Mokhotlong Tour

0.0(0) 48h
From €474
per personViator
Lesotho Combo Day Tour: Hike-Cycle-4X4

Lesotho Combo Day Tour: Hike-Cycle-4X4

0.0(0) 8h
From €86
per personViator

Ratings based on Tripadvisor reviews. When you book through this link, you support our work at no extra cost to you.

🏘️ NeighborhoodsHow different areas shape the experience

Underberg is a compact farming town at the foot of the southern Drakensberg, and the useful parts fit inside a few blocks.
  • Main Street and Village Centre: Supermarkets, ATMs, a pharmacy and outfitters sit here, and everything is walkable in 10 minutes. Stock up on food and cash before heading out, because the valleys beyond have almost nothing. Skip browsing for nightlife; it is a quiet farm town and the pubs close early.
  • Pub and Coffee Strip: A few bakeries, coffee shops and pub-grills cluster near the center. Come for a pie, a burger or a farm-style breakfast before a hike. Expect early nights, not parties.
  • Himeville: A small village about 5 km (3 miles) away with a fort museum, a quiet pub and a trout-fishing feel. The museum is worth 30 minutes; the rest is a drive or a hitch, not a walk.
… read more 👉
Underberg is a compact farming town at the foot of the southern Drakensberg, and the useful parts fit inside a few blocks.
  • Main Street and Village Centre: Supermarkets, ATMs, a pharmacy and outfitters sit here, and everything is walkable in 10 minutes. Stock up on food and cash before heading out, because the valleys beyond have almost nothing. Skip browsing for nightlife; it is a quiet farm town and the pubs close early.
  • Pub and Coffee Strip: A few bakeries, coffee shops and pub-grills cluster near the center. Come for a pie, a burger or a farm-style breakfast before a hike. Expect early nights, not parties.
  • Himeville: A small village about 5 km (3 miles) away with a fort museum, a quiet pub and a trout-fishing feel. The museum is worth 30 minutes; the rest is a drive or a hitch, not a walk.
  • Drakensberg Gardens and Sani Pass Road: Mountain country with hiking trailheads and lodges. Not walkable from town, so plan transport rather than wandering.

⌛️ 1 day1-day itinerary for Underberg

7:30 AM: Underberg breakfast and supplies Start with coffee and stock up on food and cash at the supermarket, because the next few stops have little. Walk the main street to confirm your tour time.
9:00 AM: Sani Pass Join a 4x4 tour up the pass. Waterfalls and switchbacks fill the morning, and you cross the border post at the top for views over Lesotho.
1:00 PM: Sani Top Eat a late lunch at the summit chalet and look back down the escarpment before the afternoon cloud rolls in.
3:30 PM: Himeville Museum Return downhill and visit this small museum a few minutes from Underberg. It is rarely on the standard tourist route but explains the area's history.
5:30 PM: Trout stream walk Take a gentle stroll by a stream at a nearby farm as the light softens.
7:00 PM: Hostel braai Finish with a fire and meat … read more 👉
7:30 AM: Underberg breakfast and supplies Start with coffee and stock up on food and cash at the supermarket, because the next few stops have little. Walk the main street to confirm your tour time.
9:00 AM: Sani Pass Join a 4x4 tour up the pass. Waterfalls and switchbacks fill the morning, and you cross the border post at the top for views over Lesotho.
1:00 PM: Sani Top Eat a late lunch at the summit chalet and look back down the escarpment before the afternoon cloud rolls in.
3:30 PM: Himeville Museum Return downhill and visit this small museum a few minutes from Underberg. It is rarely on the standard tourist route but explains the area's history.
5:30 PM: Trout stream walk Take a gentle stroll by a stream at a nearby farm as the light softens.
7:00 PM: Hostel braai Finish with a fire and meat on the grill, trading trail tips with other hikers.

🌤️ When to go?Weather, crowds, and seasonal trade-offs

  • Summer (Nov to Mar): Days of 22 to 28°C (72 to 82°F), long light and afternoon thunderstorms that hit hikes hard. Green hills, but cloud can hide summits and prices rise around school holidays.
  • Autumn (Apr to May): Clear skies, 15 to 22°C (59 to 72°F), cool nights and fewer people.
  • Winter (Jun to Aug): Dry and sunny, but nights drop below freezing and Sani Pass can see snow, closing the road. Days run 8 to 17°C (46 to 63°F).
  • Spring (Sep to Oct): Warming, windy, with rain starting late.
Book Sani Pass tours a day ahead in winter, since snow decides whether they run.

source: climatestotravel.comJANJanuary: highly recommended for travelingFEBFebruary: highly recommended for travelingMARMarch: highly recommended for travelingAPRApril: excellent for travelingMAYMay: good for travelingJUNJune: fair for travelingJULJuly: fair for travelingAUGAugust: fair for travelingSEPSeptember: good for travelingOCTOctober: excellent for travelingNOVNovember: highly recommended for travelingDECDecember: highly recommended for traveling
when-to-go

✈️ The backpacker research shortcutSouth Africa Travel Guide

An offline-friendly backpacking guide with optimized travel routes, ranked highlights, transport advice, and the best areas to stay.
example page 0 from our offline Travel Guide for South Africa
example page 1 from our offline Travel Guide for South Africa
example page 2 from our offline Travel Guide for South Africa
example page 3 from our offline Travel Guide for South Africa
example page 4 from our offline Travel Guide for South Africa
example page 5 from our offline Travel Guide for South Africa
example page 6 from our offline Travel Guide for South Africa
example page 7 from our offline Travel Guide for South Africa
The digital guide (457 pages) contains:
✅ 125 highlights, ranked by travel appeal
✅ Optimized 7, 14 & 21-day travel routes
✅ Cities, national parks, landmarks, beaches
✅ How to get around
✅ Offline-friendly for travel without Wi-Fi
👉 Click to see all 30+ guide features

📅 Plan smarter in minutes, not weeks
✅ Month by month travel advice
✅ Festivals & national holidays
✅ Budget expectations

🗺️ Go to the right places, skip the overrated ones
✅ Honest pros & cons of destinations
✅ Top hikes, parks & viewpoints
✅ Lesser-known places most travelers miss
✅ Clear “worth it vs skip it” guidance

🛏️ Travel smoothly without rookie mistakes
✅ Best areas to stay
✅ Transport systems explained simply
✅ Common scams & safety advice
✅ SIM cards, money & practical tips

🌍 Understand the country, not just visit it
✅ Culture & traditions
✅ 52 Essential phrases & customs
✅ Festivals worth planning around
✅ Traveler-friendly historical context
✅ Insights that make places more meaningful

📱 Built for real travel conditions
✅ Fully downloadable PDF
✅ Works completely offline
✅ Optimized for phone use
✅ Useful in remote areas & buses
✅ Everything in one place
Stop searching, start planning
Get instant access to your full guide. 30‑day money-back guarantee.
+ Add another guide for just

By proceeding you agree to our terms.
Sent to your inbox immediately after payment • 100% Secure Checkout
Best Backpacking Travel Advisor 2025 tourism awardBest Backpacking
Travel Advisor
2025
What others say about Take Your Backpack Guides:
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Fantastic, amazing amount of information!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
My goodness this is amazing, it's what I've been looking for hats off too you!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I think this is absolutely BRILLIANT
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Very complete and informative. It's still missing places, but I gotta to commend you
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is truly amazing, thank you, can't wait to explore it with my kids!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Awesome resource, thank you!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is amazing! Can't wait to explore the ones I haven't seen
⭐⭐⭐⭐
I love this! Well done, great idea.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Thanks for taking the time to make this gem!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This might be the best website I've ever seen.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Congratulations, and thank you so much for your work; it's incredibly valuable.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
In all seriousness I think you did a great job pointing out the important spots
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
10/10 very good
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
As someone who's only just starting to visit regularly this is awesome, thank you.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Thank you very much! I'm going to visit my dad, it's going to be very useful!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is really cool! We'll be travelling for the first time and this definitely come in handy.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
You are now our minister of culture, congratulations 👨‍💼
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Just wanted to tell you that this is a pearl! Going to follow your recommendations.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is so cool. I'll definitely be using the resource for my travels soon.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is very impressive! Good work.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is an amazing and informative site. Very well done!

🛏️ Where to stay?Best areas and accommodation options

The best area for a budget bed is in or just outside Underberg itself, within walking distance of the shops. Hostels and guesthouses here put you near groceries, ATMs and tour pickups, which matters because transport out of town is thin. Dorm beds are limited, so book ahead in summer and school holidays. Nights are quiet and the streets are safe to walk after dark, though winter cold is the main nuisance and heating varies. The second option is the Himeville side or farm stays along the Sani Pass road, which cost similar but leave you reliant on a lift or shuttle. Choose these if you want mountain views and silence rather than convenience.
Best hostels in South Africa


Best quality hotels in South Africa

🚌 Getting aroundTransportation options and practical tips

Arriving without a plan for the last stretch is the costliest error, because Underberg has no useful public transit and a taxi from Kokstad or Pietermaritzburg adds up fast. Long-distance minibus taxis and buses stop short of the mountains, so you finish by shuttle or lift. The center is small, but the trailheads and passes are 20 to 50 km away, so you need wheels for anything beyond shopping.
  • Walking: Free and enough for the town center, which takes 10 minutes end to end. Not worth attempting to the valleys; roads are long and shoulderless.
  • Minibus taxis: US$3 to 8 to reach towns such as Pietermaritzburg (about 2.5 to 3 hours). They leave when full, mostly in the morning, and rarely run in the late afternoon. Cheap, but they do not serve the mountains.
  • Hostel or lodge shuttles: US$10 to 30 per
… read more 👉
Arriving without a plan for the last stretch is the costliest error, because Underberg has no useful public transit and a taxi from Kokstad or Pietermaritzburg adds up fast. Long-distance minibus taxis and buses stop short of the mountains, so you finish by shuttle or lift. The center is small, but the trailheads and passes are 20 to 50 km away, so you need wheels for anything beyond shopping.
  • Walking: Free and enough for the town center, which takes 10 minutes end to end. Not worth attempting to the valleys; roads are long and shoulderless.
  • Minibus taxis: US$3 to 8 to reach towns such as Pietermaritzburg (about 2.5 to 3 hours). They leave when full, mostly in the morning, and rarely run in the late afternoon. Cheap, but they do not serve the mountains.
  • Hostel or lodge shuttles: US$10 to 30 per person for trailhead drops or Sani Pass runs. This is the sensible choice for hikers, since it saves driving gravel.
  • Rental car: US$30 to 50 a day plus fuel. Worth it if you are sharing, as it opens up Himeville, Garden Castle and Lesotho border road. A 4x4 or good clearance helps on gravel.

👛 Costs (as of 22 October 2026)How expensive it really is

Underberg costs a backpacker about US$14 to 22 a day, with a total daily budget of US$70 in high season.
CategoryBudget RangeLocal Reality
Dorm accommodationUS$14 to 22Limited beds; book ahead in summer. Winter is cheaper, around US$12 to 18.
MealsUS$12 to 20Grocery cooking is cheapest; pub meals US$7 to 11.
Local transportUS$8 to 15Shuttles and lifts to trailheads; no local buses.
Basic activities/entry feesUS$5 to 15Reserve fees US$3 to 6; Sani Pass tours cost extra.
MiscellaneousUS$3 to 8Snacks, data, laundry.
Total Daily BudgetUS$70High season, one dorm bed.
Buy groceries in town before heading to the mountains, where prices climb and shops are rare.
⚠️ Prices can change and everyone travels differently, so take this as a rough guide. Hope it helps you plan your adventure!

🚌 Day tripsEasy escapes and nearby places

Underberg works well for day trips if you have a ride or a tour, since everything of note lies along gravel roads into the mountains.Sani Pass: Most visitors come for this 4x4 route up to the Lesotho border and the highest pub in Africa. Tours run US$55 to 90 for a full day, including border formalities; bring your passport. Go April to October for clear air, and check snow reports in winter.
👉 Explore Sani PassGarden Castle: A short drive into the reserve gives walking among sandstone cliffs and rock art. Expect about 45 minutes each way and a small entry fee of US$3 to 6. Start before noon to avoid summer storms.
Himeville: A quick trip of 10 minutes by road to the fort museum and trout streams. Budget US$2 to 5 for entry and a coffee. First-timers often expect more to do, so pair it with … read more 👉
Underberg works well for day trips if you have a ride or a tour, since everything of note lies along gravel roads into the mountains.Sani Pass: Most visitors come for this 4x4 route up to the Lesotho border and the highest pub in Africa. Tours run US$55 to 90 for a full day, including border formalities; bring your passport. Go April to October for clear air, and check snow reports in winter.
👉 Explore Sani PassGarden Castle: A short drive into the reserve gives walking among sandstone cliffs and rock art. Expect about 45 minutes each way and a small entry fee of US$3 to 6. Start before noon to avoid summer storms.
Himeville: A quick trip of 10 minutes by road to the fort museum and trout streams. Budget US$2 to 5 for entry and a coffee. First-timers often expect more to do, so pair it with another stop.
👉 Explore HimevilleColeford Nature Reserve: About 30 minutes away, with easy walks, birds and picnic spots for US$3 to 5. Best in spring and autumn, when the grass is dry.

🛡️ SafetyTraveler Safety Guide

Underberg is broadly safe, and the usual precautions are enough. Keep valuables out of parked cars at trailheads, where break-ins happen, and do not leave bags visible. Solo travelers can walk the center at night, but the streets empty early, so avoid dark edges. Mountain weather causes more trouble than crime: cloud and storms arrive fast, so tell your lodge your route and carry layers. Gravel roads are rough, and livestock wander across them. Sani Pass requires a passport and an experienced driver.
Check Country Safety

FAQCommon questions from travelers

Underberg is worth two or three nights if you want the southern Drakensberg, and it is a poor choice as a mere stopover. The town is the gateway to Sani Pass (a 4x4 route up to Lesotho), the Drakensberg foothills and trout streams, and it is a quiet farming center with a few supermarkets, a pharmacy and ATMs. Most travelers use it to stock up before heading into the mountains, but day hikes and a Lesotho border trip give a real reason to linger.
Underberg suits 2 to 3 days. One day goes to the Sani Pass tour to the Lesotho border and the Sani Top chalet (roughly US$65 to 110 with a guide on a shared 4x4 trip), and one or two days cover walks in the Garden Castle or Lotheni areas of the uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park, where entry fees are small, around US$3 to 6. Add a night if you plan a multi-day hike or want a rest day for fishing and riding.
Underberg can be done as a day trip from Pietermaritzburg or Durban only with a long, early start, since the drive is about 2.5 to 3 hours each way from Pietermaritzburg and 3.5 to 4 hours from Durban. Public transport is thin (minibus taxis run via Himeville and Pietermaritzburg), so most visitors drive or join a pre-booked Sani Pass tour. Staying at least one night makes more sense, because Sani Pass tours leave in the morning and return late afternoon.
⚠️ Things can change over time, so always validate details locally before you go.

Other South African towns near Underberg

Explore more nearby:

  • Port St. Johns—Wild Coast cliffs, river mouth, backpacker hostels| 204 km away
  • Wakkerstroom—Wetland birding, grassland reserves, colonial-era buildings| 279 km away
  • St. Lucia—wetland park, hippo sightings, boat cruises| 324 km away

💡 Not sure where to go next?
Create a personalized itinerary for South Africa including Underberg and the places that fit your trip.

Generate my itinerary

👉 Discover all towns

Or checkout all South Africa has to offer (think cities, towns, villages, national parks, hikes, beaches, festivals)
Explore South Africa
Country photo of South Africa
© Google Images

We 💚 feedbackKey takeaways before you go

Underberg pairs best with a loop through the central Drakensberg or a push into Lesotho via Sani Pass. I would give it two nights, hike on the second day, and skip anything that needs a late start. Bring cash and layers.

✈️ When did I visit South Africa?
I have visited South Africa, before and after my Zimbabwe trip in 2001.

✍️ Help improve this page!
The information on this page is based on my own backpacking experience in South Africa, supplemented with up-to-date research and feedback from other travelers. Travel details can change, so if you notice anything outdated or incomplete, feel free to let me know.



🙋‍♂️ Give feedback

👋 Meet the founderWho’s Behind Take Your Backpack?

Johan, backpacker and founder of TakeYourBackpackHi, I’m Johan (Netherlands 🇳🇱), the creator of TakeYourBackpack. Over the past 3 decades, I’ve backpacked through 90+ countries across six continents, gaining extensive experience with independent travel, long-term trips, and overland routes.

This site is built on a combination of firsthand travel experience and carefully curated insights from other backpackers. Many guides are based on places I’ve personally visited, while others bring together tips, observations, and practical advice shared by trusted travelers I’ve met along the way.

The goal is to provide realistic, experience-driven guidance — not generic itineraries — so you can explore destinations with better context, clearer expectations, and more confidence.

Read the full story