We venture into the heart of the Drakensberg mountains to discover the natural beauty of South Africa's highest mountain range. Our adventures starts with a hike up the famous Sentinel Peak, a solid day's hike to over 3000m. This includes clambering up the infamous chain ladders to enter into Lesotho. The views at the top are incredible and well work the hike. We set up camp on top of the Drakensberg near the Tugela Falls - one of the highest waterfalls in the world - and swim in the rock pools at the top, overlooking a huge drop.
The morning sunlight bathes our camp and the mountains in golden light and is one of the most beautiful sights in South Africa. We are on top of the world, camped on the Mont-Aux-Sources plateau overlooking the Amphitheatre. Wild horses run free, metres from our camp-site. This is a truly special place to wake up.
Next up, we drive our Nissan Navara bakkies to join Andries Groenewald, a proud owner of a 1996 Nissan Sani. We are about to tackle and conquer the famous Sani Pass, one of the most dangerous mountain passes in the world, to reach Lesotho and the highest pub in Africa. The pass is not paved, and so a 4x4 is required to reach the top. This is a 4x4 adventure for us in the Navara's, but a bucket list experience for Andries in his aptly named Nisson Sani. Driving Sani Pass in the mist is terrifying, but we make it to the top of the mountain pass and enter into Lesotho with huge smiles on our faces.
The Drakensberg, also known as the 'Mountains of Dragons' or uKhalamba, ‘the barrier of spears’ in Zulu, is one of South Africa’s natural wonders spanning over 1 000 km in length with its highest peak, Thabana Ntlenyana, reaching a height of 3 482 metres in Lesotho making it the highest point in Southern Africa. This is one of the most beautiful places to visit in South Africa, and a must for any hiking or camping enthusiasts.
The Drakensberg is all about adventure and the outdoors and in this episode, the tough and rugged Nissan Navara, with its reputable 4x4 ability, took us on an incredible journey to the highest waterfall in Africa, Tugela Falls, Giants Castle and finally up the famous Sani Pass. We drive from South Africa into Lesotho on a road trip to remember.
The Journey, was made possible by Nissan South Africa, and our team included our very own Journeyman, Gero Lilleike, who was accompanied by special guests Josh Kempen (popular South African singer and songwriter), Lauren Melnick (travel blogger), Richard Haubrich (Instagram_SA) and Andries Groenewald, a proud owner of a 1996 Nissan Sani.
Special thanks to:
Nissan South Africa - www.nissan.co.za
Josh Kempen and Warner Music South Africa - Visit Josh Kempen's RU-vid Channel - / @joshkempen8466 or stream his music on Spotify
Ian Shooter: Drakensberg Hiker - www.drakensberghiker.co.za
Witsieshoek Mountain Lodge - www.witsieshoek.co.za
Tierhoek Trout & Nature Estate - tierhoektroutandnatureestate/?_rdc=2&_rdr
Sani Mountain Lodge - www.sanimountain.co.za
Credits
Producer
Gero Lilleike
Director and Edit
Troy Davies
Camera & Drone
Troy Davies
Luke Patterson
14 май 2019
