Sani Pass - Route / Time?

[dieselfan]

I'm planning a trip in the next few weeks to do sanis pass. I showed my wife the National Geo youtube clip and how we need a strong Patrol...

From JHB whats the recommended route?

How long and what is the "normal" itenary for a weekend jaunt?

[Herrie]

I normally do all the back roads - through the Free State down Oliviershoekpas, at Winterton you turn right and near Draycott you turn right and follow the road through Kamberg nature reserve to Loteni. Before you get to Himeville you turn right to Sanipass.

[dieselfan]

What sort of duration Herrie?

[Peter Connan]

Hello Dieselfan

Went there in December. We camped, which is probably not ideal in winter, so our route and itinerary is of no use to you, however from Bulwer where we stayed the previous night to the top of Sani took us about 2 1/2 hours. Perhaps add an hour for snow and ice I guess?

From there you could easily get to Afriski where they have a wide variety of accomodation before dark, tar road all the way.
If your trip is long enough I would really recomend a visit to Katse Dam. We drove from Afriski to Katse by the tar road (long way round) in a day, no problem. The next day we drove to Golden Gate NP, which is always worth a visit. Check my trip report.

What I would say about Lesotho is this: there are lots of really challenging dirt roads and passes in Lesotho, but I would not tackle them alone, particularly in either the rainy season or in mid-winter. If you break down or get badly stuck and can't get going again, you could freeze there before help arrives. We had some vehicle issues, and very few of the locals were prepared to help.

[Herrie]

We normaly leave at around 05h00 and stop in Reitz at about 07h00 for breakfast. We then camped at Loteni and only did Sanipass the next day.

From Sanipass to Mokhotlong is a gravel road through a pass with very nice views and some narrow roads with sharp turns and you do not know if there is a vehicle comming from the other side at speed.

From Mokhotlong to Khukhune the tar road was full of terrible potholes when we did the trip two years ago - not sure if they have fixed it.

[Wilfred Moore]

Hi Dieselfan,

We also normally use the back roads through the free state. 1st night sleep at Goldengate and the next day to Himeville or Underberg.

I am also planning to do a trip in July to watch a bit of snow, so I am planning to take the highway to Mooi River and then take the R103 to Himeville. Stay the 1st night there. Next day Sani Pass, normally 2 hours with photos and stay at Sani Top for the night. The Sani Top Pub is a must, very nice. You could also drive around a bit to experience the locals. Next day down Sani again and back home. So I planning for a short weekend.

Sani Pass last few corners

DSC_0128.JPG (83.65 KiB) Viewed 2034 times

[dieselfan]

Has anyone been to that reserve on the south eastern side? Is it worth it?

[Peter Connan]

Dieselfan when I was planning my trip, I was told (by the owner of Semonkong Lodge) that it is a must-do, but we never got there.

[dieselfan]

Well so far my plans are to leave on Wednesday next week. Many moons ago I wanted to see snow and went end of Julyish SW side, no snow just cold - back then Katse was 2 days away... So this time I want to go when Jhb is blerry koud like today. We will be one vehicle.

Peter I will read your report, specifically the Katse dam duration

I've got two destinations once in Lesotho

- The reserve in the SE, according to the NationalGeo clip about a day from Mokhotlong to the Reserve.
- Katse in the West somewhere..?

[dieselfan]

Guys will I REALLY be needing chains? Wil AT's be sufficient? I do kinda need new tyres and am I considering Yoko MT's