Southern Drakensberg - Sani Pass Tourism Information

Quick Facts: Southern Drakensberg - Sani Pass

• The Southern Drakensberg in the KwaZulu-Natal Province of South Africa is remote region and not very well known
• Scenic alpine landscapes of natural beauty can be found here
• Popular amongst trout anglers: many crystal clear lakes and rivers
• Kamberg Nature Reserve
• Loteni Nature Reserve
• Sani Pass: highest pass-road in South Africa leading along the upper Mkomazana River up to the border with Lesotho
• Town of Underberg
• Town of Himeville
• Town of Bulwer
• Himeville Fort Museum

Introducing Southern Drakensberg - Sani Pass

The Southern Drakensberg, which is located in the KwaZulu-Natal Province of South Africa, lies is a more remote region and is not very well known.  It is here where the nature lover finds scenic alpine landscapes of dramatic beauty.

Trout anglers consider the Southern Drakensberg in South Africa to be a very favorite region, since this area has an abundance of crystal clear lakes and rivers. There are several nature reserves, of which particularly the Kamberg and the Loteni are worth a visit.  The Kamberg Nature Reserve and the Loteni Nature Reserve are both home to the almost extinct reedbuck, blessbuck, eland, bushbuck und oribi. A wonderful circular trail leads through the Loteni Nature Reserve.

The tourist highlight of the Southern Drakensberg is the Sani Pass.  Sani Pass is the highest pass-road in South Africa and leads along the upper Mkomazana River up to the border with Lesotho at an altitude of 2 874 metres above sea-level.  It is here where one encounters people from Lesotho on their donkeys.  

The last part of the untarred stretch behind the South African border post is extremely steep and rocky and can only be managed with a four-wheel drive vehicle. But the breathtaking view of the rugged alpine landscape of the Drakensberg mountain range is a memorable reward. It is highly recommended to cross the border, because on the Lesotho side there is a little restaurant and a Basotho village.

Towns in the Southern Drakensberg, KwaZulu-Natal (South Africa)

Towns which form part of the Southern Drakensberg are Underberg, Himeville and Bulwer, where accommodation in different price ranges are available. Himeville has an excellent museum, the Himeville Fort Museum, which gives mainly information about the first white settlers who came here in the 1890s already.

Access to the Southern Drakensberg, KwaZulu-Natal (South Africa)

Access to the Southern Drakesberg is either by travelling the R103 / Midlands Meander via Nottingham Road (from there the Sani Pass is sign-posted) or over the southern access via Bulwer which is an easier drive, but less scenic.