Overland Travel Across Borders: A Tale of Two Frontiers
Maseru Bridge Sani Pass in Drakensberg Highland
The border of the Kingdom of Lesotho is a geographical curiosity, as the nation is an enclave, completely surrounded by the single country of South Africa. The 1,106-kilometer frontier is a dramatic one, defined by the towering peaks of the Drakensberg and Maluti mountain ranges. Your journey into this “Kingdom in the Sky” is a passage from the plains of South Africa into a rugged, high-altitude world.
Ficksburg Caledonspoort Rand in Commuter Culture
The main and busiest crossing is at the Maseru Bridge, which connects the two capitals of Maseru and Bloemfontein (via the N8). This is a low-altitude, accessible crossing that handles most of the commercial and commuter traffic. For a more adventurous experience, the Sani Pass is a legendary 4×4 route that winds its way spectacularly up the Drakensberg escarpment, offering breathtaking views. It is one of the most famous border crossings in Africa, but it requires a suitable vehicle and is subject to weather closures. Other crossings like Ficksburg Bridge and Caledonspoort serve different regions.
Border Crossings
- Maseru Bridge & Maseru Bridge Border Crossing
- Peka Bridge & Peka Bridge Border Crossing
- Ficksburg Bridge & Ficksburg Bridge Border Crossing
- Caledonspoort & Caledonspoort Border Crossing
- Monontsa Pass & Monontsa Pass Border Crossing
- Sani Pass & Sani Pass (4×4 only) Border Crossing
- Ramatseliso Gate & Ramatseliso Gate Border Crossing
- Tele Bridge & Tele Bridge Border Crossing
- Sepapu’s Gate & Sepapu’s Gate Border Crossing
- Ongeluksnek & Ongeluksnek Border Crossing
- Boesmansnek & Boesmansnek Border Crossing
- Van Rooyen’s Gate & Van Rooyen’s Gate Border Crossing