Sani Valley
Activities
Enjoy the freedom of 260 acres of lake, surrounded by an abundance of wildlife and game.
Sani Valley doesn't have the big five, but you will be able to walk among the zebra, red hartebeest, blesbuck, eland, springbok and many other antelope within its well-stocked boundary fence. Sani Valley offers some of best game viewing and bird watching in the Drakensburg region.
Be it as a newly married couple honeymooning or a quite week/end escape with your partner, friends and family, there is something for everyone to enjoy.
Relax & Jacuzzi
Fishing
Game Viewing
Bird Watching
Horse Riding
Boating
Hiking
Mountain Biking
Bushman Paintings
Raptor Centre
4x4 Drives
Golfing
Pamper yourself with a soothing massage by one of our experienced masseurs on your private deck overlooking the lake.
Lakeside, Early Mist and Bushman lodges all boast a private and easy-to-operate jacuzzi to help you relax and unwind on holiday. Enjoy the warmth and bubbles of a soothing hot tub and let the powerful jets massage your cares away!
The Southern Drakensberg of KwaZulu-Natal affords a greater variety of fly fishing opportunities than any other district in South Africa. It is from here the flow of the lyric Mzimkhulu, Pholela and Mkhomazi, the Ngwangwane and Ndawana, the Mzimkhulwana and Mkhomazana to mention but a few rivers set their early course enroute to the Indian Ocean through the heart of KwaZulu-Natal. Into this well-watered mountain land of towering peaks and tumbling rivers, are set the twin villages of Underberg and Himeville.
The countryside and water go through a great amount of change from season to season. During summer, with its afternoon thundershowers, the fish are often most active in the early morning, though the larger, deeper lakes such as Lifton Lake (Sani Valley) can fish well throughout the day. Dragonflies, caddis, and many midge species are all common. In winter the nights are bitterly cold and the days bright and clear. Best fishing during this period is often at dusk, when the water tends to be at its warmest.
We are situated just 9km from Himeville on the Sani Pass road and are therefore in a prime position.
Fisherman, you will enjoy both the main lake and its trophy dam! The main 260 acre lake is well stocked with trout and offers excellent fly-fishing opportunities with brown and rainbow trout ranging from 1 pound to 12 pounds (yes, the record trout fished in the lake is 12 pounds!).
Trout fishing is a gentleman's sport and we at Sani Valley are strong supporters of catch and release to ensure great fishing for all for years to come. Guided trout fishing and hire equipment is available on request. Sani Valley has two smaller dams at your disposal, all of which are stocked regularly.
Its trout hatchery produces between 30 000- 50 000 baby trout, all of which are released into the dams at 2 inches (fry stage). The Lakes are stocked annually with large fish to maintain the strength of fishing and variety on Sani Valley's waters.
The tackle shop at the reception caters for all anglers basic needs as well as tackle for hire.
Sani Valley boasts some of the best wildlife in the Drakenberg area. The entire valley is game-fenced and stocked with an abundance of wildlife.
At Sani Valley you will be able to walk among the zebra, red hartebeest, blesbuck, 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!
Sani Valley has recorded over 300 species of birds in the area over the years. The Drakensberg Pipit, the Orangebreasted Rockjumper along with the Bearded Vulture or Lammergeier are endemic to the area. From the Wattled Crane to the Bearded Vulture (Lammergeyer) we have them all. Bird watching enthusiasts roam the Sani Valley Lodge enjoying the variety of local birds attracted by the water, wetlands, veld, rocky out crops and wooded areas. Although there are no hides specially set up the abundance of birds will never let you down, all year round.
We have built a Vulture Restaurant that has up to 165 vultures at a time when a fresh carcass has been donated by the local cattle farming community.
Even if you are not into birds we think you will find our birds very attractive at Sani Valley lodge as they form such a valuable part of the environment and provide nature's own music through their songs and calls.
At Sani Valley one of the great opportunities you can experience is exploring the game reserve on horse back. Sani Valley boasts the unique ability to go game viewing and feel truly close to nature and the wonderful.
The seasons dictate the changing grass colours, fauna and flora, with brown harsh shades during the dry winter when the grass is frosted off and lush green during the spring and summer, when the rainfall is frequent. The horse riding experience is well worth a try if you want to get up close and personal with some of the local game and birds.
Horse rides can be arranged at reception.
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).
If fishing boats aren't for you, then you can try out one of the kayaks, canoes or peddle-boats. Fishermen are however encouraged to bring their own float tubes or kick boats. This is where most angling success is had.
Guests are more than welcome to bring their own boats and motors so long as the motors are less than 5 hp, so as not to negatively impact on other fishermen.
The uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park provides a spectacular environment for mountain bikers. It offers a plethora of riding trails for all kind of levels; and for the most mountain biking enthusiasts riding up or down the Sani Pass might be a tempting challenge and one never to be forgotten.
Please bring your own bikes to enjoy the landscape we have to offer.
The San bushman rock art is partly responsible for adding World Heritage status to the uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park. It is the principal monument to ancient hunter-gatherers who survived here until the 19th century. The Drakensberg has between 35000 and 40000 works of bushmen art and is one of the largest collection of such work in the world.
Come see it for yourself.
The Sani Valley Raptor Centre was built to provide birds of prey a second chance in life. The viewing area provides guests with a unique experience to view these beautiful birds up close without disturbing them. To date we have released a range of raptors from the Sani Valley Raptor Centre. This has made us very proud. These birds include Fish Eagles, Jackal Buzzards, Yellow-billed Kites, Spotted Eagle Owls and a Black Sparrow Hawk. The injured birds usually come to us from the Raptor Centre in Pietermaritzburg. The birds are rehabilitated over a short period of time. This could range from two weeks to a few months. The release is always a wonderful occasion and normally brings tears to our eyes, as the bird fly off to freedom.
This initiative has also started to develop into an Animal Rehabilitation Centre. More recently we have been privileged to release a Serval and a young male Reedbuck. On the odd occasion we spot some of our raptor and animal release friends at Sani Valley or in the local district as they fly or roam free in their new found natural habitats.
The spectacular sani pass awaits. The Mountain Kingdom of Lesotho and Kwa- Zulu Natal passes by Sani Valley through the magnificant 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.
Tours can be arranged at reception.
Contact
 | +27 (0) 33 702 0203 | |
| +27 (0) 82 561 3275 | |
 | +27 (0) 865 439 699 | |
 | info@sanivalley.co.za |
Location
 | Sani Valley Lodge and Hotel, Sani Pass Road, Himeville, South Africa |
About
We offer catered and self-catering options where you have your own full kitchen.
Our cleaning staff have been equipped and trained for Covid-19 protocols.
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