Sani Pass
The legendary four-wheel-drive mountain road from South Africa to Lesotho, climbing about 1,300 m in 9 km via hairpin bends straight up to the summit at 2,876 m.
Sani Pass is the only road that crosses the main Drakensberg escarpment between South Africa and Lesotho. From the South African border post, at about 1,550 m, to the summit on the Lesotho side is about 9 km. The final stretch consists of continuous hairpin bends on a very steep grade, with waterfalls, basalt cliffs and mountain grassland along the way. The lower section on the South African side is paved, but the upper part is still gravel, and four-wheel-drive vehicles are required. The easiest option is to join a full-day four-wheel-drive tour from Underberg or Himeville, which includes lunch at the summit and a visit to a Basotho village. Those driving themselves need a high-clearance 4WD and mountain driving experience. The South African border post is open about 08:00–16:00. Bring your passport. Chinese citizens need a visa in advance to enter Lesotho; check the latest policy. You must return to the South African side before the border closes.
Opening hours
South African border control approx. 08:00–16:00
Nearby sights
- Sani Top (Sani Mountain Lodge)
- Giant's Cup Trail
- Cobham Nature Reserve
- Thabana Ntlenyana
- Garden Castle Nature Reserve
- Rhino Peak
- Himeville Fort and Museum
- Lotheni Nature Reserve