Sani Pass

The route up Sani Pass starts at 1544m and climbs 1332 vertical metres to an altitude of 2876 m. The road is a steep gravel road with gradients up to 1:3, which can be difficult to drive in bad weather and may be covered with snow and ice in winter. By South African law only4×4 vehicles are allowed on the road. The pass lies between the border controls of both countries and is approximately 9 km in length. Caution must be exercised and drivers or riders must be alert while navigating the pass as it has claimed many lives. Occasionally the remains of vehicles can be seen that did not succeed in navigating its steep gradients and poor traction surfaces.

ani Pass is the mother of all South African mountain passes. Statistically and in every sense, it out distances, out climbs, and out performs all it’s competitors with consummate ease to have become the most iconic gravel pass in SA.

Situated between KZN and Lesotho the pass was built circa 1950 and remains a challenging drive in 4×4 vehicles with all the drama, scenery, bad weather and treacherous conditions expected of a pass with a summit altitude of 2876m ASL. That equates to 9400 feet and at 10,000 feet aircraft need pressurised cabins!

This is high altitude stuff. Go prepared for bad weather at any time and expect snowfalls as late as October.