Sani Pass in July — snow, ice, and what you need to know before heading up
Went through last weekend in a Land Cruiser 200. Here is the full report.
The upper section above Sani Bottom is where it gets serious — 1:3 gradient with loose shale. We aired down to 1.4 bar and used low range from the SA border gate. The Lesotho border post closes at 18:00 sharp, no exceptions. In July, there was ice on the switchbacks from the third hairpin up. Not black ice, but frost on the shaded rock faces. Enough to make things interesting.
Camping: Sani Mountain Lodge at 2,865m — pub, hot food, and a stunning view into the Berg. Book ahead in winter, it fills up.
Fuel: filled up in the last town before the turn-off. Diesel consumption was around 12L/100km on the technical sections — budget for higher than your tar road figure. We carried 25L spare in jerry cans.
The scenery is genuinely spectacular. Happy to answer any questions from people planning this route.
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Went through last weekend in a Land Cruiser 200. Here is the full report.
The upper section above Sani Bottom is where it gets serious — 1:3 gradient with loose shale. We aired down to 1.4 bar and used low range from the SA border gate. The Lesotho border post closes at 18:00 sharp, no exceptions. In July, there was ice on the switchbacks from the third hairpin up. Not black ice, but frost on the shaded rock faces. Enough to make things interesting.
Camping: Sani Mountain Lodge at 2,865m — pub, hot food, and a stunning view into the Berg. Book ahead in winter, it fills up.
Fuel: filled up in the last town before the turn-off. Diesel consumption was around 12L/100km on the technical sections — budget for higher than your tar road figure. We carried 25L spare in jerry cans.
The scenery is genuinely spectacular. Happy to answer any questions from people planning this route.
— jan_van_zyl
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.
Thanks for the report — this is exactly what I needed. Heading there in September with two other rigs (Hilux GD6) and have been debating whether to take the longer alternate route. Based on your description, I think we will stick to the main track.
Nice one, jan. Did you do the optional detour to the viewsite? We skipped it last time and regretted it. Adding it to the plan for our next trip.