The vehicles for the trip was a Nissan Patrol 4.5 GRX and a Land Rover 110 Defender (Diesel)
Well it at last happened and we decided to meet at Underberg. We had one more vehicle joined us for Sani Pass only, a 80 series cruiser, a colleague working with me.
We planned to do Sani Pass, Sleep on top of Sani and then travel further to Katse Dam, stay there for 2 days, then Semonkong for 3 days and then back to Cape Town and Pretoria.
- Complete Route
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Left Pretoria around 9 to Golden Gate, luckily for me I took the back roads. No Easter traffic and arrive in Golden Gate around 3 in the afternoon after stopping in Clarence. Glen Rheenen camping was very full, but we had a nice spot next to the river. A noisy at nice with all the traffic and trucks that uses the main road and it passes right next to the camp site. Fees R 65 per person. Ablutions are excellent!!
- Camp Site Golden Gate
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Left Golden Gate around 09:30 and follow the back roads again all around the northern side of Lesotho to Underberg where we camped at Dragon’s rest, just outside Underberg. It was a rainy afternoon, but luckily the rain stopped around 8, so we had a nice braai. Facilities are excellent, camping fees, R250 for a rooftop tent and R80 per person in a loose tent. Beautiful view!
- Camp Site Dragon's Rest
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- View at Dragon's Rest
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Day 3
We left around 9 for Sani Pass. As I always say, Sani Pass is not difficult at all, but it is a nice to do. Border post was a breeze and soon we were on our way. The Patrol was great and did Sani Pass in 2x4 with no problem what so ever. Arriving on top, it was very cold and initially we wanted to camp, but we were lucky to get a chalet for 6 people. R2200 for dinner, bed and breakfast for 6 people. We spend the rest of the day at Sani Top, took some nice pictures and spend a lot of time in the highest pub in Africa for some good Gluewine. We really witnessed something funny: A Taxi reversing up the pass, the 1st gear broke, so he had to use reverse.
- Sani Pass in the distance
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- Last part of Sani Pass
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After breakfast we left for Katse dam, 202 Km and took us 7 and a half hours. Soon after we left Sani, we were confronted by the Kotisephola Pass. I would say more difficult than Sani Pass. Height- 3248m above see level, very steep corners and lots of loose areas. The rest of the road is poor with lots of potholes, so we arrived in Katse at half past 4. We had a booking at the Katse Lodge, in a self catering house. 3 bedrooms, sleep 6 people. Very neat with DS TV for R1100 per night.
- Guest House at Katse
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- Filling station at katse
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- Katse Dam Wall
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- Katse Camp Site
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We left early, because today we have only 173Km, but the GPS says it will take us 11 hours. It is a short cut from Katse to Semonkong. I found it on Tracks 4 Africa, 4x4 only. It was back to Thaba –Tseka, then to Mantsonyane and then south onto the 4x4 track. What a road or rather 4x4 track. It took us 9 hours to reach just over halfway and then we discovered that we could not cross the Senqunyane river. Tracks 4 Africa says you can cross, but the river was in flood. I walked through the river and soon realised that we could not cross. The water was very deep, very strong and with lots of big rocks under the water. Not a risk to take and we had to turn around and tackle the bad road back to Mantsonyane. We almost lost the Landie, it slipped off the road into a ditch and almost overturned. Well, we could not make it back to Mantsonyane, so we had to sleep (bush camp) in the mountains. I looked for the nearest village chief and negotiated for a spot to sleep. R100 later, we had a spot away from the village, but with the blessing from the chief. Initially the chief wanted us to sleep in a hut in the village, but we convinced them that we were fine. Needless to say, we had some spectators until late.
It was terribly cold and we woke up the next morning with -5, but the view was awesome. We left around 8 o’clock on our way to Semonkong. The route took us via Pitseng, Roma, Ramabanta and then Semonkong. The road was in excellent condition, tarred with very steep mountain passes up to Roma. The road from Roma to Semonkong is gravel and in a bad condition. 66 Km took us 2 hours. We were suppose to camp, but we decided to take a Chalet again. It was a good decision as it was very cold, the campsite very full and not in a good condition.
The next day, we did some time to organise the vehicles again and then visited the Maletsunyane Waterfall. Definitely a must see. Almost 200m fall with lots of water over the edge.
My sister and her family decided to take a horse ride to the falls, so we met them there for a nice picnic. The horse rides are R125 per person if more than 3 and you have the horses for half a day. You can do abseiling next to the waterfall, the world’s longest abseil for R800 per person.
The camping at Semonkong is R80 per person. Luxury Chalets, self catering is R330 per person and communion type chalets that sleep 6 persons is R130 per person with bunk beds and hot water, a nice fire place and flush toilets. Wood is provided for free for the fire place. There is a restaurant were you can have breakfast lunch and dinner, but you have to arrange before the time. A great place to visit and definitely recommended.
Day 9
We left around 8 for Maseru and arrived at 12. Everybody warned us about the busy border crossing and it took us around 10 minutes to cross. No problem what so ever. Just outside Ladybrand, the group spitted, the Cape Tonians for Cape Town and we left for Pretoria.
I decided to take the High way back to Pretoria via Winburg. I filled up at Ladybrand and decided to bush the Patrol a bit. What a feast!! This Patrol a vehicle like no other. As my brother –in-law said, it’s a monster. Made Pretoria around 6. At a speed of 130 to 140 Km/h my consumption was 5.3 Km/L, I will pay it any day for such a nice ride.
Summary
A nice trip for a week. Lesotho border crossings are not worried about vehicle paper work, just Passports.
Closer to winter, not a good idea to camp in Lesotho.
Lesotho is a beautiful place, the people are not friendly and always begs for money or sweets. Once you stop and spend time with them, they open up and are actually very friendly.
Roads are bad, work on an average of 30 to 40 Km/h. Be careful for the 4x4 only routes, it is great fun, but takes a lot of time. It takes you to the remote places, but beautiful. I am sure those people do not know about the tsunami in Japan. They worry about where they get their food from and about the cattle.
The Patrol was great, really enjoyed the trip and to experience the awesome power and ability of the Patrol.
The Landie did very well with no hick-ups. Only had to straighten the steering arm in Bloemfontein on the way back to Cape Town.
