Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...

No search results found for
“”

Make sure words are spelled correctly.

Try searching for a travel destination.

Places near me Random place

Popular Destinations

  • Paris
  • London
  • New York
  • Berlin
  • Rome
  • Los Angeles
Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Sign In Join
Places near me Random place
All South Africa Mkhomazi Wilderness area Sani Pass

Sani Pass

Brace yourself for the slowest, scariest, most spectacular drive, down the Drakensberg Escarpment.

Mkhomazi Wilderness area, South Africa

Added By
Gabriel
Email
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list
CAPTION
  Wikimedia/Vaiz Ha
View from the top of the pass.   gabri3l / Atlas Obscura User
Drakensberg.   gabri3l / Atlas Obscura User
  Wikimedia/Frans-Banja Mulder
  gabri3l / Atlas Obscura User
A malachite sunbird on a protea.   gabri3l / Atlas Obscura User
A formation known as the Twelve Apostles.   gabri3l / Atlas Obscura User
  gabri3l / Atlas Obscura User
  gabri3l / Atlas Obscura User
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list

About

Originally built as a trade route between Mokhotlong in Lesotho and Himeville in South Africa, this treacherous stretch of road is now mainly used by tourists, and to transport laborers between the two countries. With a gradient as steep as 1:4 in places and poor traction, the pass is only accessible by 4x4, and can take up to 4 hours to cover less than six miles, depending on road conditions.  

The pass is challenging at the best of times, but in winter, after a snowfall, it is even more hazardous. Due to their dangerous nature, each turn has its own colourful name: Big Wind Corner, Hemorrhoid Hill, Suicide Bend. Guides readily share the funny stories of how the corners got their names. 

Beyond the danger of the road itself, the pass is surrounded by the gorgeous Drakensberg, part of the Great Escarpment, and fields upon fields of wildflowers and native fauna. If you are lucky, you might catch a glimpse of the closest living relative of the elephant, a small furry mammal called the dassie or rock hyrax. 

The South African government has plans to upgrade the road and tar it over in the near future, which would make it more accessible and decrease the travel time. But locals say that would be a real shame. Most of the excitement and fun comes from going at a snail's pace up or down, with ample time to enjoy the beautiful surroundings, while simultaneously lurching and bouncing around in your seat. 

If you make it from the bottom to the top, you can reward yourself with a Maluti beer in the highest pub in Africa, which is opposite the customs house. 

Related Tags

Roads Border Crossings

Know Before You Go

If you want to attempt driving up the pass yourself, you will need a 4x4 and a fair bit of experience. If you have neither, you can book a tour in Underberg for a reasonable price. A tour is recommended if you want to learn about the history and be able to take in the scenery. 

Atlas Obscura Adventures

Wild South Africa

Marine wildlife and Kruger Safari

Book Now

Community Contributors

Added By

gabri3l

Edited By

Samir S Patel, hannahOish

  • Samir S Patel
  • hannahOish

Published

July 2, 2020

Edit this listing

Make an Edit
Add Photos
Sani Pass
Mkhomazi Wilderness area
South Africa
-29.602911, 29.339168

Nearby Places

Nelson Mandela Capture Site

Howick, South Africa

miles away

Howick Falls

Howick, South Africa

miles away

African Raptor Centre

Ilanga, South Africa

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of South Africa

South Africa

Africa

Places 75
Stories 27

Nearby Places

Nelson Mandela Capture Site

Howick, South Africa

miles away

Howick Falls

Howick, South Africa

miles away

African Raptor Centre

Ilanga, South Africa

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of South Africa

South Africa

Africa

Places 75
Stories 27

Related Stories and Lists

14 Precarious Roadways

List

By Jonathan Carey

Related Places

  • The Poker Creek border crossing.

    Eagle, Alaska

    Poker Creek

    The northernmost international land border crossing in the United States.

  • Rotterdam, Netherlands

    Street Posts Museum

    An unexpected public exhibit showcases the diversity of Dutch street posts.

  • The main gate of Chōshō-ji Temple, built in 1629.

    Hirosaki, Japan

    Zenringai (Zen Temple Street)

    These 33 Zen Buddhist temples were built to protect the nearby castle.

  • Watch out for serious curves ahead.

    San Francisco, California

    Vermont Street

    Lombard Street may be more famous, but this is the real “crookedest street in the world.”

  • Come journey into the feudal past.

    Hakone, Japan

    Old Tokaido Way

    The centuries-old cobblestones of a feudal highway remain in the woods of Hakone.

  • Heritage Street.

    Henderson, Nevada

    Heritage Street

    Clark County Museum has created an entire street of historically important buildings relocated from various other locations within the county.

  • A large reclining Buddha is carved into sandstone along the side of the Thakhek Loop.

    Khamkeuth, Laos

    Sandstone Buddha Sculptures

    Giant Buddhas carved into sandstone walls line this Laotian motorbike route.

  • Looking down Lake Como road at sunset

    Blanca, Colorado

    Lake Como Road

    The worst road in Colorado is the main gateway to some of its highest peaks.

Aerial image of Vietnam, displaying the picturesque rice terraces, characterized by their layered, verdant fields.
Atlas Obscura Membership

Become an Atlas Obscura Member


Join our community of curious explorers.

Become a Member

Get Our Email Newsletter

Follow Us

Facebook YouTube TikTok Instagram Pinterest RSS Feed

Get the app

Download the App
Download on the Apple App Store Get it on Google Play
  • All Places
  • Latest Places
  • Most Popular
  • Places to Eat
  • Random
  • Nearby
  • Add a Place
  • Stories
  • Food & Drink
  • Itineraries
  • Lists
  • Video
  • Podcast
  • Newsletters
  • All Trips
  • Family Trip
  • Food & Drink
  • History & Culture
  • Wildlife & Nature
  • FAQ
  • Membership
  • Feedback & Ideas
  • Community Guidelines
  • Product Blog
  • Unique Gifts
  • Work With Us
  • About
  • FAQ
  • Advertise With Us
  • Advertising Guidelines
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms of Use
Atlas Obscura

© 2025 Atlas Obscura. All Rights Reserved.