Eswatini Bulembu Pass conditions after recent rain — passable for a standard 4x4?
Went through last school holidays in a Suzuki Jimny. Here is the full report.
The approach road is graded gravel for the first 40km then transitions to a proper 4x4 track. We had 4 vehicle in convoy which made recovery easy when the lead vehicle got axle-deep in a rut. Total distance from the gate to our campsite was 53km and took 4 hours.
Camping: The campsite has basic pit toilets and a cold shower. Signal is MTN gets 2 bars at the high point.
Fuel: filled up in the last town before the turn-off. Diesel consumption was around 13L/100km on the technical sections — budget for higher than your tar road figure. We carried 21L spare in jerry cans.
The wildlife is genuinely spectacular. Happy to answer any questions from people planning this route.
4 Replies
Nice one, tayla. Did you do the river crossing at the bottom of the valley? We skipped it last time and regretted it. Adding it to the plan for our next trip.
— rikus_vdberg
How was the fuel situation? We are planning this in a D-Max AT35 which drinks more than it should on technical terrain. Trying to figure out whether to carry extra diesel in jerry cans or whether the consumption was manageable.
Nice one, tayla. Did you do the river crossing at the bottom of the valley? We skipped it last time and regretted it. Adding it to the plan for our next trip.
Thanks for the report — this is exactly what I needed. Heading there in September with two other rigs (Ranger Raptor) and have been debating whether to take the longer alternate route. Based on your description, I think we will stick to the main track.
How was the fuel situation? We are planning this in a D-Max AT35 which drinks more than it should on technical terrain. Trying to figure out whether to carry extra diesel in jerry cans or whether the consumption was manageable.