Navigate Sani Pass
From Underberg navigate Sani Pass, one of Southern Africa’s most exhilarating mountain passes as you zigzag with your 4x4 up into cloud country along the gravel switchbacks snaking up towards the high Lesotho peaks. Settle your nerves with a ‘dop’ at Sani Top Chalet, reputed to be southern Africa's highest pub.
First opened to public traffic more than 50 years ago, the route now serves as one of the best-known entry points into Lesotho. The road has seen huge improvement since the early days when one took one’s life in one’s own hands, but remains extreme and challenging, especially during heavy snowfalls or sub-zero temperatures when ice forms on the road. You will eventually summit at 2874m to experience spectacular panoramas all round.
Passports are required at the South African border post, reached just before the start of the main climb (1900m). Normal hours apply (8am to 4pm daily) and the same goes for the Lesotho Border Post atop the pass.
Did you know? The Sani Pass, originally a mule track linking trade between SA and Lesotho, was converted for vehicular use by David Alexander between 1948 and 1954. At its highest point upon the proverbial ‘Roof of Africa’, you finally top out at 3 200m.
Take Time Out
Take time out to slow life down by popping into the charming Himeville Museum, arguably one of SA’s top rural centres, in a fort dating back to 1899. While there, meet up with the locals for a cold one at Himeville Arms. Himeville is 6km from Underberg and was named after Sir Alfred Hime, a road engineer elected Prime Minister of Natal in 1889.
Visit the Gothic church at Reichenau Mission (near Pevensey) with its beautiful murals and unique stained-glass windows on a cliff above the Polela River... you could be in Europe! Bavarian Monks founded the mission in 1886 and it was used as a monastery, convent, farm as well as a school.
Hardcore Hike
Scale Rhino Peak on a hardcore hike or trail run, or pack your crampons and ice pick in winter on an ice-climbing mission. Usually the iconic Giant’s Cup hiking trail from Sani Pass to Bushmansnek would take five days, but trail runners can now run it at pace. Get supremely sweaty at the Sani Stagger.
Run along this out-and-back route up and down Sani pass starting and ending at the Sani Pass Hotel. It is a tough run, considering you have to climb 1 300m to the Sani Pass Summit in just over 10km, and then run back down. Let something else do the running. Giddy-up into the highlands around Lesotho and go horse-riding on a horse or pony at Khotso.