Sani Pass (RSA)
 

Whey hey...

I've been given the green light from the missus to spend an extra week in South Africa after my medical course in Hout Bay (Cape Town). Also a good pal of mine has offered me the use of his BMW GS for the week to do some exploring.

To that end... I keep on hearing about the 'Sani Pass' as a good place to crack in such a short time but I'm struggling to find anything about it. Can anyone give me any details or maybe point me in the right direction for info. I can find it on Google maps but would be interested to what anyone has to say about it. I might do the coast route on the way there or return, Durban, East London, Port Elizabeth.

Plus.. is it easy (or even required) for a Brit to get insurance for a ZA registered and borrowed bike?

I'll be heading out from Cape Town on the 26th of November for the week and am shaking with excitment already!:D

Thanks

Been there twice, on bikes rented from Jo´burg. The views to Drakensberg are absolutely fantastic, if the weather is good, and Lesotho is also a nice place to visit.

Sani Top Chalet was a nice place to stay in, right there on top of the pass... on my first trip, I had to almost ride to the wall of the guesthouse to find it, because the fog was so thick (I´d been oh so lost for hours on the mountains like that, so you can imagine my satisfaction, when I finally found it!!) ...But my info is almost 10 years old, so I don´t know, if the whole place exists anymore or not!

But if you´ve got a week, and leave from Cape Town, then it might be too far away.

Here's some footage of me and mate driving a 4x4 up and down the Sani Pass in 2009: Southern Africa 2009 TBSdotCom (click on bottom right video, about half way through it). It was great to do in a car, but would be much more fun on 2 wheels.

It is a long was from/to Cape Town if you only have a week.

cheers
Chris

Yep..!
 

Yep, that's the one! I liked your vid, I chuckled at your young 'un sleeping on the rough road, that kid must be able to sleep on a galloping hedgehog!

Google maps show it as 1400+ kms from CT to the Sani Pass, which'll be enough time to get there and back with a night or two on the beerNay Dramas!

Cheers lads!

I am leaving Cape Town tomorrow for the coastal route and eventually Sani Pass on a GS. Can't say for sure, but after already doing some of the Western Cape route, one week is not a lot of time. Seems to be a lot to see along the way as well.

a dash!
 

yeah,

I figure now I'm looking at it more it's going to be a bit of a dash to get there and back. I've some ZA collegues here at work and they reckon to head for the better roads towards Kimberly/ Bloemfontein/ Bethlehem and come in around the top.
It'll be dashing to get there and back but I've always promised myself to 'hit the pass' sometime and it may be my only chance for a year as next year is fully booked with work etc. I'm pretty cool with long stints in the saddle if the roads are good and the GS should be comfortable to do such a thing.

Let me know how you find it up there on South Africas highest mountain pass and I'd be interested if you find out if camping up there is possible as I'd like to photograph the daybreak (Fog permitting!).

Have fun..!

The Sani Pass is definitely a nice ride.

To answer the last part of your original question, third party insurance is not compulsory in South Africa.

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Sani Pass April this year. Great ride if the weather is good!

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Nearly at the top.

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If it hails - it can hurt!

Ouch!!! They could smart a little!
Great pics, thanks
Sam

Awesome
 

Awesome.. Loved it! Now writing up the 'ride tale', I'll post the link!

Love it when people come touring into my backyard! If you have time, another day's travel and I can put you onto some awesome stuff up my valley.

February
 

Might take you up on that offer as the return trip is scheduled for February..!:D