SANI Pass, LESOTHO: A DAY TRIP FROM SOUTH AFRICA TO LESOTHO
The Sani Pass is a giant magnet that pulls travelers to Lesotho. This part of Lesotho is a landscape heaven—there are rivers, plateaus, valleys, and mountain ranges. The Sani Pass is a UNESCO World Heritage site. It is not too far from the highest mountain in Lesotho—Thabana Ntlenyana that stands at 3482m high.
Lesotho is a landlocked country that sits at a high altitude. It is completely surrounded by South Africa. The capital city of Lesotho is Maseru and the Basotho people speak the sesotho (Sotho) language. The money used in Lesotho is Loti (but you can use South African Rands, especially when visiting the Sani Pass).
Where the Sani Pass Starts
It is not clear where the actual Sani Pass starts. Arguably, it starts at the South African Sani Pass Border Control, that’s where the actual adventurous ascension begins.
The Sani Pass connects Mokhotlong in Lesotho and Kwazulu Natal (KZN) in South Africa. In Kwa Zulu-Natal, people usually start from the town of Underberg. From Underberg to the Sani Pass Border Control South Africa, it is about 34 km via the Sani Pass Road. Sani Pass Road is not the actual Sani Pass but the road leading to the border. You won’t find big hotels in Underberg but small lodges, bed and breakfasts, farm guest houses, and etcetera.
The length of Sani Pass is about 8 km, from the Sani Pass Border Control South Africa to the top, passing through the Mkhomazi Wilderness area. At the top, you will find the highest bar in Africa and Sani Mountain Lodge. The top of the Sani Pass is referred to as the Roof of Africa because it sits right at the top—at 2873m high.
You need to show your passport at both the South Africa border and Lesotho border. The Sani Pass Border Control in South Africa sits at the bottom of the Sani Pass; the Sani Pass Border Control in Lesotho is at the summit. The distance between the borders is 8 km. Both borders close at 6 pm.
Appreciate the Culture of the Lesotho People
As you are ascending the Sani Pass, you meet men covering themselves with blankets. The Sani Pass area in Lesotho sits on top of a mountain in the Mkhomazi Wilderness, it is a very cold part of Lesotho. When you take a tour of Sani Pass with a tour company, you get a chance to visit a village and meet some local people. You will also see donkeys out and about—people who live here use donkeys and horses for transportation.
Stop by the green souvenir shop to buy souvenirs and gifts for your loved ones. Here you will find Lesotho hats, blankets, and other local crafts. You can also get some souvenirs at the Sani Mountain Lodge as you are entering the Highest Pub in Africa.
Have Lunch at the Highest Pub in Africa
The pub is at Sani Mountain Lodge where you can also spend the night before descending the Sani Pass. There is also a Sani Top Backpackers & Campsite for campers. Almost everyone traveling to Sani Pass will spend some time at Sani Mountain Lodge. The lodge is a turning point and a resting spot after touring a village in Lesotho and shopping for souvenirs.
During the day, watch spectacular views of mountains and valleys. The landscape presentation from this viewpoint is unmatchable. Sit on the balcony of the bar and eat Lesotho’s traditional food for lunch while watching Lesotho people sing and dance on the side of the cliff. Enjoy a night by the fire and watch the stars and the moon while enjoying African snacks and drinks.
You Need a 4X4 Car to Sani Pass Or Take a Guided Tour
Generally, Sani Pass is a safe undertaking if you are a solid driver and have a good 4X4 vehicle with tires that are in excellent condition. All tour companies to Sani Pass have four wheel drive vehicles. I took a guided tour with the Sani Pass Tours located at Shop no 22, Trout Walk Centre, Sani Road, Underberg, South Africa. This was a well organized tour and the guide was very patient, nice, and knowledgeable.
If you are driving up yourself you must hire a four wheel drive car otherwise you could be in serious trouble. When you approach the Sani Pass Border Control South Africa, you are required to show car paperwork and usually they check if you have a 4X4.
Other people successfully complete Sani Pass on foot—it takes a good few hours to walk. Usually, those walking spend a night at the Sani Mountain Lodge or another accommodation and walk back down the next day. The locals use minibus taxis to commute between Lesotho and South Africa. We saw one minibus throughout the whole trip, it seems they are not regular.
When I went to Lesotho, the Sani Pass was still a gravel road with rocks and soil. There are projects underway to put tar to the whole road of Sani Pass. Some people have argued that tarring the road might remove the excitement and thrill of driving up the Sani Pass.
For the most part of Sani Pass, you pass through dry ground and a straight road. As you are getting closer to the middle section of the road it starts becoming windy and more sharper on the bends. Also, you will encounter a few small rivers’ crossings on the Sani Pass.
To enjoy the thrilling and dramatic views of Sani Pass, you may want to allocate a full day to take the Sani Pass tour or drive up yourself early in the morning. If you are making regular stops for photo opportunities, it will take you longer to complete Sani Pass.
I should mention that there have been a few deaths on the Sani Pass. I saw a cross placed on one bend where a traveler on a motorcycle lost control.
Weather around Sani Pass
Around the Sani Pass (both the Lesotho side and the KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa) the weather is chilly and in the winter it is very cold—it can get to -21 °c.
The higher the colder it gets. During the winter months Sani Pass is closed because it is very dangerous to drive up in these conditions; a blizzard can last for days. June and July are the coldest months while September to March are the warmer months. December is the warmest month.
Please don’t underestimate the weather conditions. Your driving up the Sani Pass can be heavily impacted by even small weather changes—light rain showers, light snow, etcetera. So many drivers miscalculate and evidence of fatal accidents is seen in a few places on the sides of the road.
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