Summit Sani Pass by 4x4
Warm weather prevailed at the bottom with sun shining brightly in Underberg the nearest town. We had pre-arranged to go up the pass with a tour group in a 4x4.
With Passport in hand and ready to roll bright and early, here is the adventure as it unfolds. A look up into the mountain face from the South African Border Post (photo above).
After the border there is only 1 'pit stop' to take a break, stretch your legs and catch our breath, some photo's of the view and flora. It was our lucky day since we had relatively good views and weather.
A spectacular view all the way down into KwaZulu-Natal.
With flowers and small bushes in flower this trip was in the Spring, after good rains, plenty of running water off the cliffs.
On top we visited a local tribal village, entertained with a cup of tea on top of the world in Lesotho. It was freezing up there and no wonder they get snow so often. Photo shows a glimpse of the flat landscape, with village further back.
Rural local folk on the top save every scrap of wood brought up to build their homesteads, the wood is used for roofing to hold the thatch and re-used again and again, it is a scarcity up here.
Still smiling faces greet you, managing to make ends meet in a place with cattle and goats, a small garden patch and little else.
The young men (at a very young age of about ten) take the animals to graze, with little more than a Besotho blanket and a dog to accompany them for months at a time. This is traditional to see if the young men will be accepted into manhood.
So when you feeling low or down in the dumps, remember the people with little more than a hut who are able to live in sparce harsh lands, where few venture let alone live.
Lunch in the charming pub was good, did I mention that this is the highest pub in Africa? An ale was needed to steady the nerves...
A good look down, the reminder of what goes up must come down.
As you bump and grind over the sand road with boulders so big you wonder if the vehicle will hold, then close to the edge you feel your heart thumping in your throat. Trusting the driver will play his part in getting you up safely..... and down once again. (Who does crazy for a living?)
Looking back you can see why a sturdy vehicle is required to get up this mountain pass. Back down in South Africa safely again, you realize this ride is "one of a kind". (No the vehicle above was not our ride!).
Photography my own during 2004
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If you love adventure a visit up Sani Pass is a must, I have included 2 short video links by Trygve Roberts on You Tube to get you advice before venturing up.
!steemitworldmap -29.584960 lat 29.286738 long Sani Pass Summit D3SCR
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Heya, I see you've made a mistake when adding this post to the map, there shouldn't be any " " or ' ' in your post (else it won't show up on the map)! I'm featuring you in the Travel Digest, so I would urge you to update it, haha!
EDIT: You're being featured now!
Thanks so much, you are awesome @steemitworldmap I have done corrections requested now.
You're so welcome, I see there is still one mistake that would be the : at the start (it needs to be precise else the bot won't recognize it)!
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Beautiful pictures of your adventure. Nice and wonderful place indeed
It is an exciting and scary drive up there, thanks for visiting @hafiz34
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that looks amazing. thanks for sharing. Ive been to Kenya but only passed South Africa for connecting flights. WOuld love to get back there one day and spend some time
You will love it @shellyduncan nice to plan trips into the country, most go to the Cape, but our province offers a lot as well.
Whoahhh, that looks amazing like an amazing trip!!
4x4 enthusiasts go up with their own vehicles @therneau links I provided actually gives tips on the gear ratio used to get up there.
Amazing scenery, I'd love to see it myself one day. I remember the highest pub in Africa from the Top Gear show.
Well worth doing if you visit one day @stephen-somers the drivers are pretty skilled at getting up there.
interesting post!
Great to see you again @steemking777