Sani Pass, Lesotho and Golden Gate National Park

We took Di and David away for a few days, taking them up the Sani Pass into Lesotho, then across the top of Lesotho, back into South Africa where we then stopped at Golden Gate for a couple of days before returning to Richmond.

Sani Pass and Lesotho.

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.

This was the view back down the valley from just below the zig-zags.

This was the view back down the Pass from Sani Top Lodge...

However less than 1/4 hour later the cloud rolled in and this was all we could see!

The low cloud remained for the rest of the day so we spent most of the time in the bar near a warm fire.

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 thebakkie(we'd lowered the tyre pressure before setting off up the Pass).

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 .

Horses and donkeys are still an important form of transport in the mountains.

We saw a lot of hillsides that have been terraced for growing crops.

Heading down the Moteng Pass to the Western 'lowlands' of Lesotho. As the road is tarred you get big lorries and coaches along it.

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 was a steeper section with some slippery rocks until we got to the bottom of the buttress wall. After that there was a steep rocky section which had a chain to aid progress. Di isn't good with heights so she stayed at the bottom while the rest of us carried on.

From the top of the Buttress we had great views.

1. Richmond - friends and family

Places that we visited with Di and David:

2. Sani Pass, Lesotho & Golden Gate National Park

3 Leopard Mountain Safari Lodge & Umlalazi Nature Reserve

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Glen Reenan Rest Camp in the valley below.