Sani Pass – Top 3 Hiking Trails

Sani Pass is situated in the western part of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. It is one of the most picturesque routes around KwaZulu-Natal and the only vehicle-route into the mountainous Kingdom of Lesotho. The track, meant for a 4×4, snaking and twisting its path through the rugged cliffs, makes Sani Pass a perfect place for adventurists and nature-lovers. If you are planning to book tickets for KwaZulu-Natal we recommend you reserve a few days for Sani Pass. Have a look at three popular hiking trails in Sani Pass.

Giant Castle Hikes

Giant Castle refers both to the game reserve as well as the rock massif located in the central Drakensberg area by the same name. The Giant Castle was declared a game reserve in 1903 in order to protect the waning population of elands. Apart from the 600 rescued and protected elands, the reserve is also a haven for oribi, blesbok, mountain reedbuck and a large array of birds. It is a perfect hiking place offering a choice of more than 25 different hike trails across the 285 kilometre network of routes that range from 3 to 30 kilometres.

Birding up in Sani Pass

If you are a birding enthusiast, you can choose the all-day birding trip to Sani Pass, where you might spot several bird species like Mountain Pipit, Bush Blackcap, Drakensberg Siskin, Sentinel Rockthrush and Drakensberg Rockjumper among others. If you want a guided tour of the area, there is perhaps no better person for it than Stuart McLean. Apart from being a guide for nature enthusiasts and bird-watchers, Stuart also works towards conserving nature.

Langalibalele Pass Hike

Langalibalele Pass is perhaps one of the quickest passes that lead to Drakensberg, yet it is really steep too. If you do not have a whole day to spend on a hike, this pass is perfect for you. Once you go up to the escarpment you will emerge from the Durnford and Sanqebethu on both the sides. The best thing about the pass is that its route is not rugged and there aren’t any sudden steeps. Expert hikers find this pass the best for the beginners to learn.