Around end of September, year-end fatigue sets in, waking up feeling tired and uninspired. I know just a place to inspire me and take me out of this dilemma. The mountains are whispering my name and resistance is pointless, I can almost smell the mountain air. This time around I am bringing a trusted friend the Isuzu MU-X. She is a beauty I call her “Sparkle” as she glistens in the sunlight. Boot space is just right for me as I tend to take my whole house with me when I travel. That’s the beauty of road tripping, I can take along my multiple hats, shoes, clothes, and accessories. This place is like visiting an old friend, so you know what to bring, but I can be extra sometimes, which is why I’m taking my solar lanterns with me, I have a plan.

All packed and ready to go, first we must drop off the kids at school then head to the Drakensberg, at 8h30 we are leaving Gauteng. Luckily the traffic has subsided offering a reprieve from the morning commute and like a good omen, the sky also recedes giving us an open road. The Isuzu MU-X is a bliss on and off-road, even as my husband pushes it a bit to test the power, it responds heartily. The trip down to Harrismith is a delight but while packing my whole house into the vehicle I am oblivious to the drama unfolding on the N3, as we are approaching the Harrismith Bergview Onestop the VMS(Variable Massage Sign) brings the issue ahead. The VMS says “Long delays between Harrismith and Montrose”, we do not pay much attention to the issue still as we stop for a bathroom break, the Isuzu Mu-X is frugal when it comes to fuel consumption, so we don’t need to fill up yet. There is a beautiful bend that hugs the Bregview Onestop as you descend the escarpment, this beauty also does not allow you to see more than 200m ahead of you in the area, as we depart to Montrose, we find ourselves at the start of a protest, trucks have stopped in the middle of the road, and you can’t pass in any way.

We had to turn back and reroute, the alternative routes are just as jam-packed with cars and this slowed us down and our ETA is extended by two hours. Difficult roads lead to beautiful destinations, I could never understand that until that day, the best part about re-routing was that we will be passing the beautiful Sterkfontein dam, the dam is full and the sky was also ready to play. We stopped by the dam to admire the beauty of the Sterkfontein dam and then continue with our journey. The Isuzu Mu-X sparkles, as the water shimmers and we grab a few pics.

The rerouting takes us through Little Switzerland, Colenso, and through the windy road past Bergville before injecting us back on the N3. We stop briefly in Howick to manage the kid's return from school. We arrived around 16h30, the drive up the mountain is familiar but is still as captivating as our first time driving here in the dark. We checked in, at Sani Valley Nature Lodge. Our Cottage is right next to the Lake and has a stunning Mountain View’s which reflects on the lake. The weather is cloudy and moody, but the surrounding area is lush and green, the lake is beautiful, and the mountain is covered by a blanket of clouds. There are two bedrooms. The main bedroom is beautiful with an extra-large bed and has dramatic mountain and lake views that are framed by a large window. The cottages are self-catering which we prefer, but you can also arrange meals with the lodge. Outside is the hot steamy jacuzzi, that is waiting for you to soak your troubles away and indulge with a drink of your choice. The second bedroom has two single beds. This place accommodates 4 people.

We prepared dinner and then submitted to the invitation from the jacuzzi and the mountain air, yes, my lanterns came out to play to uplift the ambiance. We soaked ourselves in the jacuzzi while sipping champagne. We retired with a full heart, and a head full of dreams and hope for a clear sky in the morning. The next day our hopes are rewarded, coffee with a view and watching the clouds slowly lifting and revealing the mountain. This moment is priceless, we are inspired to go for the scenic drive to Sani Pass at South Africa and Lesotho Border. What a spectacular drive, the mountains just tower above the road while the river clings at the bottom of the valley with more mountains rising on the alternate side of the valley. The river with a few small waterfalls, mountains and the winding road makes for an absolute blissful excursion. I recommend the drive on this route; part of the road is still under construction, but it is a good road. This road has benefitted from the upgrade, there are several steep inclines, and the MU-X made a meal of those. The area that is still under construction is open to traffic but has a lot of loose soil but again the articulated suspension on the MU-X was at home in this area. The MU-X can physically adjust to an all-wheel driving setting when in difficult terrain but in this case, we did not need it. After that scenic drive, we came back, had breakfast, and just soak in the sun.

There are several activities you can do in the lodge, you can kayak or go on a boat ride on the lake, do some fishing or have a massage or facials in the comfort of your cottage. I am a massage person but decided against it as the weather forecast suggested there will be a lot of wind and rain. There is a lot of wild bird life on the lake including the exquisite Crowned Grey Crane with its incredible deep calls. There is also general game such as zebras and various antelopes mixed in with the farm animals. Did I mention that they also have horses that loves taking photos?

A bit of wind did threaten to disrupt the picnic for two, but that view was just special, so we persevered. That mountain view makes everything special. This is a tranquil gem that we will keep returning to when the pressure of the city life gets to be too much, this sanctuary where time stands still, and nothing is rushed. This is one of the places where mortals come to play, and the gods come to rest.

Drakensberg - Sani Pass Experience