KwaZulu-Natal and Lesotho. January to May 2018.
2. Sani Pass, Lesotho and Golden Gate National Park
In April we took Di and David away for a few days, taking them up the Sani Pass into Lesotho, then across the top of Lesotho and back into South Africa where we then stopped at Golden Gate National Park for a couple of days before returning to Richmond.
Sani Pass
This was the 4th time we'd driven up the 4x4 gravel road to the top of the Sani Pass but the first time for Di and David. The weather was overcast but at least we could see the top of the Pass.
The South African Border Post at the bottom of the Pass.
Looking up the valley to the top of the Pass.
Once through the Lesotho Border Post we went to the Sani Top Lodge where we'd booked accommodation for the night.
This was the view back down the Pass from Sani Top Lodge when we arrived.
However less than 1/4 hour later the cloud rolled in and this was all we could see!
On the way up we stopped to have a closer look at some of the flowering protea flowers.
Breakfast at Sani Top Lodge the following morning. It was cloudy but clear so Di and David were able to go for a walk while we pumped the tyres up on the bakkie(we'd lowered the tyre pressure before setting off up the Pass).
Lesotho
The road across the top of Lesotho is now tar (built by the Chinese a few years ago) and it goes through rugged mountainous country. We passed several rock falls.
Horses and donkeys are still an important form of transport for people and goods in the mountains.
Lesotho has several important diamond mines. We passed the The Letšeng diamond mine, which is the hightest diamond mine in the world.
A view of the The Letšeng diamond mine from the road.
The Pass down to the Eastern Lowland of Lesotho is full of twists and turns and can be busy with lorries going to and from the mines.
Golden Gate National Park
We've often camped at the Glen Reenan Rest Camp in Golden Gate but this time hired a rondavel as Di & David were with us. It had taken us about 6 hours to drive the 280km from Sani Top so we didn't get there until late afternoon.
The following morning was clear so we went for a walk to the the top of the Brandwag Buttress. It took us about 3/4 hour to reach the top. The first part of the walk is very easy but then there is a steeper section with some slippery rocks until we got to the bottom of the buttress wall. After that there is a steep rocky section which had a chain to aid progress. Di isn't good with heights so she stayed at the bottom of the Butress while the rest of us carried on.
We walked along the bottom of the Butress until we got to the chain section.
David on his way up the Butress with the aid of the chain.
David on the way back down while Kevin admired the view.
There were lovely views all the way along the walk.
From the top of the Butress looking West.
Glen Reenan Rest Camp in the valley below.
Last updated: March 2021