Sani Pass

[Gerrie Myburgh]

Hi All

I am leaving for Underberg tomorrow for the weekend. What is Sani Pass like for a day trip, and can someone that just starts of do it?

[Spook]

I think if you leave early, you can have lunch at the top and go down the same day. We went up after heavy snow and it took about 4 hours if my memory serves me right.

[Oppers]

Spook ons was ook op en af in een dag, maar het amper onse alies gesien omdat ons te laat weer terug onder aangekom het.... amper daar in "niemandsland" geslaap!

Ek weet nie wat die huidige hektye is nie, maak net eers seker.

[Fluffy]

Hi,

I could not think of a more exciting and doable day trip.

Be at the SA border at the bottom by 7 AM - go up - watch your time, even possible to do a little inland meander - have lunch - go back down.

Easy, but as always with Sani/Lesotho/Berg, depends on the weather. This time of the year, anticipate and plan for a late afternoon storm. Take some clean underwear with just in case it storms.

Cheers
Fluffy

Assuming the 110, not even a question

[Gerrie Myburgh]

Thanks for the advice. We are two vehicles (Defender and Ford Ranger).The Ford is the first timer, so I think he needs the clean underwear. Will keep an eye on the time, and pak the sleeping bag.

[Boomerang]

If you are at the border now (7am), and weather holds, then you can be down at the bottom again by 3pm. That will include lunch at Sani Top.

Friday's can be busier with local traffic and with a broken taxi on the wrong turn your schedule will be slowed down considerably.

[ralton]

does the border open at 7 these days?

[frikkiee]

Afternoon guys
We are going to Scottburgh for the feastive season. I want to do the Sani pass with the return trip, will it be possible to travel from Scottburgh to Johannesburg trough Lesotho. The return trip will be on the 2nd of January 2010. Do anyone know what the trafic, roads etc. will be like and if it is possible with a trailer (Venter Bush Baby).
Thanks

[Multi]

I don't think Saturday will be a good day to go as there is a mountain bike race going up the top and returning to the Hotel, so the area may be busy. Also check as there used to be a running race the following day. Not sure if this still happens

[Fluffy]

Originally Posted by frikkiee

Afternoon guys
We are going to Scottburgh for the feastive season. I want to do the Sani pass with the return trip, will it be possible to travel from Scottburgh to Johannesburg trough Lesotho. The return trip will be on the 2nd of January 2010. Do anyone know what the trafic, roads etc. will be like and if it is possible with a trailer (Venter Bush Baby).
Thanks

Hi,

If you have a 4x4 and 2min, probably three days, then OK.

I wouldnt dream of doing Sani in a 4x2 with a trailer. In anything but the best of conditions it will be tough. If you come to a stop one one of the tight bends on the way up you are deep in the poo with a trailer.

Also the Bush Baby will go thru 12-16 hours of hell. Broken springs, mounts etc are a real possiblity, especially if you are using lots of momentum over the rough spots in a 4x2.

Maybe I am just conservative.

Any other members got opinions.

Cheers
Fluffy

[Gerrie Myburgh]

Good evening

Back from Sani Pass in one peace and what a trip!!! Thanks to all the suggestions and motivations, because it was really worth the experience. Thanks for the suggestion regarding clean underwear; some of the rookies did need it.

Ralton
I have check on the time at the border on SA side it now opens at 06H00

Multi
You were right the mountain bike race was on. This made it a bit difficult maneuvering between car traffic and bike traffic but over all the bikers were friendly and looked like they enjoyed the race and playing in the mud…… yes, lots of mud

We were at the border post about 09H00, did the passport thing and start the trip up the pass. Just through the gate the mud started to get very thick, and this is where the fun started. We came across a fellow Landy and did not mind lending a helping hand (“winch” line) to get him out of the mud.

The trip was quite challenging - it started off okay, but got really tricky and I would not advise a 2x4 to attempt this, but it was raining quite a bit before. The view was breathtaking, and we really experience one of those trips that should be on your to-do list, if you are a nature and 4x4 enthusiasts like us.

At the top we have a Cold one and then started the descend and to our disbelief we passed three trucks going up the pass – we question why they are allowed to travel this pass

One thing I also don’t understand is why fellow 4x4 vehicles speeds up and down the pass, maybe someone can shed some light??