Drakensberg, KwaZulu-Natal · South Africa
Sani Pass
P318Himeville to Sani Top (Lesotho border)
The legendary gravel climb from KwaZulu-Natal up the Drakensberg Escarpment into Lesotho — South Africa’s highest motor pass at 2,876 m, with 13 hairpins, gradients to 1:3 and sheer drops.
The road heads west from Himeville across the foothills before the surface turns to gravel at the Sani Pass Hotel, where the serious climbing begins. It ascends about 1,300 m through hairpin bends carved into the Escarpment face, each turn opening wider views down the Mkhomazana valley, narrowing near the top to vertiginous drops. At the summit sit the border posts and the highest pub in Africa; the descent demands low-range gearing throughout.
Scenery
Where it runs
Navigate to the start: Apple Maps · Google Maps
Character
Steeper than 9 in 10 roads here · higher than 9 in 10 roads in the catalogue.
Elevation
under 4%4–8%over 8%1,547 – 2,873 mHazards
- 4x4 mandatory
- thirteen hairpin bends, several requiring three-point turns
- gradients up to 1:3 (33%) on the upper section
- loose gravel and deep ruts after rain
- vertical cliff drops with no barriers
- snow and ice possible any month at the summit
- border post closes at 18:00
See the typical season and live conditions for the high passes ›
Sources: Road geometry © OpenStreetMap contributors
Nearby roads
The closest great drives to Sani Pass.
