Sani Pass
South Africa, africa
33 km
2,876 m
extreme
September to April
Sani Pass is a mountain road connecting Underberg in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, with Mokhotlong in Lesotho, climbing to 2,876 meters at the summit on the edge of the Drakensberg escarpment. The gravel road on the South African side is one of the most challenging and spectacular 4x4 routes in southern Africa, with steep gradients of up to 33%, loose rock surfaces, and hairpin bends on exposed cliff edges. A 4x4 vehicle is mandatory for the ascent from the South African side.
The pass was originally a bridle path used by the San people and later by traders and missionaries. It was converted to a vehicle track in 1948 and has been gradually improved since, though the South African government has periodically considered paving it. The ascent covers approximately 9 kilometers of increasingly rough terrain, with the final section climbing a series of dramatic switchbacks carved into the cliff face. The views from the upper reaches are extraordinary, with the KwaZulu-Natal midlands stretching out far below and the Drakensberg peaks rising on either side.
At the summit, the Sani Mountain Lodge claims to be the highest pub in Africa, offering hot meals and cold drinks to weary travelers. The lodge sits on the Lesotho side of the border, in a landscape of rolling grasslands and shepherds tending their flocks. The pass is also a gateway to the Lesotho Highlands, where remote communities maintain traditional ways of life. Passport controls exist on both sides of the border. The road can be impassable after heavy rain or snow, and conditions change rapidly at this altitude.
Where is it?
Sani Pass is located in KwaZulu-Natal / Lesotho, South Africa (africa). Coordinates: -29.5833, 29.2833
Driving Tips
4x4 vehicle mandatory on the South African side. Bring your passport for the Lesotho border crossing. Visit the highest pub in Africa at the summit. Check weather conditions before ascending. Best tackled in dry weather.
Road Surface
Gravel and rock
Road Details
- Country
- South Africa
- Continent
- africa
- Region
- KwaZulu-Natal / Lesotho
- Length
- 33 km
- Max Elevation
- 2,876 m
- Difficulty
- extreme
- Surface
- Gravel and rock
- Best Season
- September to April
- Coordinates
- -29.5833, 29.2833
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