Riding the Sani Pass Road, which links South Africa to the mountain kingdom and landlocked nation of Lesotho, is guaranteed to provide some of the most spectacular vistas you’re likely to see on any road. The 9km pass itself has long since achieved legendary status among the South African 4×4 and offroad motorcycle communities, and is internationally known too, so as an adventure biker it should probably occupy a relatively high position on your bucket list. It is a dirt and gravel track, and consists of a series of tight hairpin bends going up steep inclines that will provide a fitting challenge for even the most competent riders, with the reward being not only the sense of accomplishment at having successfully navigated it, but also magnificent views all the way up.

Planning Your Ride up Sani Pass Road

You’ll definitely need to factor in the time of year when planning to ride up Sani Pass, as the pass is usually closed over winter (May to August). Also, although it is only 9km, the roads and areas leading up to it are well worth exploring, and KwaZulu-Natal is a beautiful province with terrain ranging from craggy mountain ranges to wild bushveld to a tropical coastline, with plenty to see and do. Also, another reason to set aside a few days is that even in summer, the pass can be closed for bad weather – conditions can change very rapidly on a day-to-day basis. Staying a few days in the nearby mountain towns of Himeville or Underberg is recommended.

Distance

The pass itself is only 9km, but those are 9 very challenging kilometres. The roads around the pass are all tarred, and make for spectacular road riding, but there is plenty of opportunity to go offroad and explore – national parks abound near the pass, as do various guest farms and attractions. The pass itself is 176km from Kwazulu-Natal’s capital, Pietermaritzburg, and 256km from the largest city in the province, Durban.

Highlights

Aside from Sani Pass itself, there is a lot to explore in KwaZulu-Natal, with excellent riding to be had. Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Game Reserve is the oldest game reserve in South Africa, and has great concentrations of wildlife, including the Big 5. The Drakensberg mountains provide magnificent vistas for hiking, and the St Lucia estuary is a World Heritage Site. For history buffs, there are many battlefields from both the Anglo-Boer War and the Anglo-Zulu war to visit, while the South Coast has some very pretty beaches with warm water for swimming or surfing.

Fuel, Accommodation, Weather and Other Concerns

Fuel is plentiful and of a high quality; you won’t need to worry about being stranded on the side of the road unless you’re very careless. Accommodation is everywhere, and varies from small, cheap backpacker hostels and camp grounds to five star luxury resorts, so take your pick.

Regarding weather, as stated earlier, the pass is closed over winter. Summer can bring scorching heat and often heavy rain; the best times for motorcycling are usually spring or autumn. You’ll be fine using credit cards in most places, but smaller traders in rural areas may only accept cash. Crime is also a concern, and large motorcycles can be targeted for theft, so be careful where you leave your bike overnight.

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Sani Pass Road

Sani Pass Road

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