Day Trip to Sani Pass
with Watervale Safaris
The ‘Day Trip’ series of articles in the next few months will be to highlight some information on some tourist destinations in proximity to Watervale Safaris. A hunting safari is an experience best enjoyed with friends and/ or family and these are some great places to visit, starting off with our favorite destination, the Sani Pass!
Sani Pass is probably the most iconic mountain pass in South Africa. Statistically it out distances, out climbs, and outperforms all it’s competitors with ease to become South Africa’s most famous gravel pass. The pass climbs into the Mountain Kingdom of Lesotho know as “The roof of Africa”. The scenery is breath taking and attracts visitors from all around the world, every year.
Situated on the boarder of Kwa-Zulu Natal and Lesotho, the pass was originally a bridal path in 1913, the pass served as an important link between Underberg and Mokhotlong in eastern Lesotho. Sani Pass remains a challenging drive in a 4×4 vehicle today. The summits altitude is 2876 m or 9400 ft above sea level. Just to put that into perspective – Airplanes need pressurized cabins at 10 000ft.
On 26th October 1948, Godfrey Edmonds (an ex RAF pilot) was the first person to ever drive the pass in a vehicle (A Willy’s Jeep). This was before the road was built. It took him 5 and a half hours to reach the summit and he was assisted by a team of Basothos with mules, ropes and other equipment. In those days, this achievement was akin to climbing Everest. It was a remarkable feat and it led in no uncertain terms to the approval of the road construction.
Many visitors from abroad like to tackle Sani with their hired 4×4 vehicles. For most South Africans it remains a bucket list road trip. There has been talk of tarring the iconic gravel road. This idea was met with much objection, as this will tame the Sani to an easy afternoon drive for any car. Sani Pass has always been about the challenge of reaching the summit unscathed and ready for a lunch or drink at “Southern Africa’s highest pub”.
In under an hours drive from Watervale Safaris, you find yourself in Underberg, a old-world little country town at the base of the Southern Drakensberg Mountains. It is a busy tourist spot with lots of bed and breakfasts where tourists can explore the little town and the mountains of the Drakensberg.
From Underberg the road meanders up the Khomazana river valley north of town, the mountains loom above with no visible passage to the top. The tarred road gives way to a gravel road witch narrows and becomes bumpy. This stage is always so exciting for a first timer, as you can’t see where the road goes and you wonder how you will reach the top of these huge mountains that seem to tower up all around you.
The actual boundary/boarder between Lesotho and South Africa is at the summit where the Lesotho boarder post is. But the South African Boarder Post is at the base before you climb the pass.
Make sure you have your passport with you and it needs to be valid for at least another 6 months. After clearing the South African boarder post the real excitement begins. The first part is a casual drive, then the pass rises above you with 6 switchbacks near the summit, and this is where you can fully understand why they only allow 4×4 vehicles to drive this section.
The beautiful Khomazana river valley steepens as you rise in altitude and the views become panoramic. There is a viewpoint where photos can be taken from this incredible vantage point.
The people of Lesotho still use Donkeys as a prime their mode of transport. You may encounter a few trekking the pass fully loaded with foodstuff purchases in South Africa heading for Lesotho. This brings a new meaning to Mule shopping rather then Mall shopping.
At the Summit is the Lesotho boarder post. After more passport stamps its best to head over to Sani Mountain Lodge.
Sani Mountain Lodge boasts the “Highest Pub in Southern Africa”. It is a lovely place to have lunch on their deck looking out at the incredible view. If the weather is not great then in the Pub the fire is usually going on colder days, a coffee or a Hot chocolate can really warm you up.
The pub walls are covered in history, Old newspaper clippings about the pass with old pictures. Even some pictures showing vehicles that attempted the pass in the old days. Take a moment and take a look at the history of this iconic pass before leaving.
Heading down the pass always seems easier and quicker. Once down the pass looking back you can appreciate how difficult it must have been to travel the same pass by donkey or mule. This kind of thing reminds me of how far we have come in the world in terms of travel and how easy it is to get from one place to another in this the 21st century.
It truly is s special place to visit. You cannot really understand the height of these mountains until you stand at the pub and look out at the view. Sani Pass should be at the top of the list of day trips to fit into your African Safari.
