The Sani Pass is a bucket-list trip for many travellers in South Africa. The famous pass lies in the no-man's-land between South Africa and Lesotho, close to the KwaZulu-Natal town of Himeville. The view from the top of the pass never gets old. Nor does the feeling of accomplishment as you look at the gravel road snaking its way up the valley below – the same uneven, rocky road you’ve just conquered. Protea 4x4 Adventures has been offering tours to Sani Pass for almost 10 years, and we believe that one has to visit it in summer and winter to truly experience the area. The contrast is unbelievable: the clear blue summer skies, lush grasslands and colourful blooming wildflowers often make way for a white blanket of snow in winter (although we missed the snow this time).
DAY 1
Although the saying “life’s a journey, not a destination” might be considered a cliché by some, I grew up believing that a holiday starts the moment you lock your front door and get into your car.
Travelling from Johannesburg to Lesotho takes you through some of the most spectacular parts of the Drakensberg Mountains. If you leave Gauteng before rush hour, the city smog is soon a distant memory and the sky becomes brighter by the kilometre.
We recently discovered the Thanda Tau stop and fuel station about 200 km outside Johannesburg on the N3 to KwaZulu-Natal (between Villiers and Warden, about 60 km after the Wilge toll plaza). It’s ideal for enjoying breakfast (or lunch) and freshly brewed coffee, and replenishing your biltong supplies. In summer, patrons can sit on the balcony outside and enjoy the view of the wide Free State expanse; in winter, you can cosy up indoors next to the fireplace.
Just after Mooi River, we took the Nottingham Road/Curries Post offramp. Although there’s an abundance of inviting shops on both sides of the road as one drives into Nottingham Road village, we opted for a brief stop at Nottingham Road Brewing Company. The brewmaster loves sharing his knowledge and love of beer.
Next stop was Piggly Wiggly on the R103 in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands, with its array of curio shops selling iron works, leather goods, clothes and furniture, as well as its coffee shops, cheesery and winery.
Not far from here, about 5 km outside Howick, you’ll find the Nelson Mandela Capture Site where the former South African president and struggle icon was arrested by apartheid police in 1962.
It is late afternoon when we pull in at the newly rebuilt Premier Resort Sani Pass, previously known as the Sani Pass Hotel, at the foot of the pass.
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der August 2018-Ausgabe von Caravan & Outdoor Life.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent ? Anmelden
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der August 2018-Ausgabe von Caravan & Outdoor Life.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent? Anmelden
Resorts Of The Month: Kruisrivier Guest Farm
Off the beaten track and ideal for the off-roading camper
Lagoon And Beachfront Bliss
Morgan Bay Campsite, EC
Conservation: The Endangered Vultures
Rating: The conservation of vultures in Africa is generally regarded as high priority, although limited resources are made available to assist with this important work.
Crisp, Clean Air & Gurgling Streams It Seems
Old Mac Daddy, WC
Destination Of The Month: Transkei On The Fly
When the call came in from a fellow journalist, that his doctor had suggested he not travel due to a recent op, I had about a day to get everything prepared for an adventure to the Transkei Wild Coast.
13 Top Tips For Outdoor Accessory Maintenance
You certainly don’t want to arrive at your holiday destination only to find your gas bottles are empty, the tent has been chewed to heavenly holiness by marauding mice, and you left grandma napping in the caravan when you put it out to pasture at your local Storage Land for the winter season.
our take on SNAKES
Caravan & Outdoor Life joins some of South Africa’s leading herpetologists in the Maputaland region to find rare species and teach the local rural residents how to react to snakes. With Opposite Lock on board, we’re all set to strike at a moment’s notice…
Caravan clinic
Our expert answers your technical questions & gives camping advice
Around The Campfire
Readers share their outdoor adventures and air their values
In The Shade Of A Dappled Glade
Slanghoek Mountain Resort, WC