Sani Pass

Sani Pass is a legendary mountain road that snakes its way up the sheer cliffs of the Drakensberg escarpment, connecting South Africa to the soaring highlands of Lesotho. The drive is an adrenaline-fueled adventure of hairpin turns and steep climbs, offering views that become more spectacular with every meter of altitude gained. At the summit, nearly 3,000 meters above sea level, you are greeted by the ‘Highest Pub in Africa,’ where you can warm up with a drink while looking out over the clouds. The landscape at the top is a desolate and beautiful alpine tundra, often covered in snow during the winter months. It is a journey that tests both drivers and vehicles, rewarding them with some of the most dramatic mountain scenery on the continent.

• Where it is: Border between South Africa and Lesotho.
• What you can expect to see: Hairpin turns, snow in winter, and the ‘Highest Pub in Africa’.
• How much it is to get in: Free (Border procedures apply).
• What people say: Drivers call it ‘the ultimate African road trip’ with top-of-the-world views.
• Interesting fact: The pass was originally a bridle path for mules carrying wool and mohair.