A tourist highlight in the Southern Drakensberg is the Sani Pass. This highest pass road of South Africa runs along the upper Mkomazana river up to the border with Lesotho (at 2874 metres). Time and again one comes across travellers from Lesotho with their sumpter-mules. Along the river there are quite a few romantic picnic spots.
The road to the "Roof of South Africa" – turn-off is 3 kilometres north of Himeville – is untarred and very rough. Particularly the last section – behind the South African border post at 1,900 metres – is extremely steep and rocky. On eight kilometres one has to negotiate 17 sharp bends and 1000 metres difference in height. The stretch is only allowed for 4x4. A vehicle with a strong engine and good ground clearance might also do the job.
The rewards are breathtaking views of the rugged, bare alpine landscape of the Southern Drakensberg and the towering Thaba Ntlenyana mountain peak in Lesotho, the highest peak of southern Africa. On the Sani Pass runs the watershed between the Atlantic and the Indian Ocean.
On top of the pass it is usually windy and cool. The winters are icy and even in summer it might suddenly snow. It is, nevertheless, worthwhile to cross the border. On the Lesotho side there is a little Basotho village and the "Sani Top Chalet". In this highest pub of Africa one can warm up, eat something warm, have a cup of coffee or tea or a draught beer.
Further travel information and accommodation: INFO Top left: Access to the Sani Pass.
Bottom left and top right: Sani Pass ascent.
Bottom right: Sani Top Basotho Village.
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