Page 26 - Kyalami_Issue2_2022

Kyalami Estates Corporate Brand Bible Design 26
3.0 Folder (Inner)
TRAVEL

while crossing mountain streams and
avoiding large boulders.

We stopped after a few kilometres at
a slightly wider section for a coffee
break and to admire the view. Then we
got back into the vehicles to tackle the
eleven switchbacks where the road has
a very steep gradient of 1 in 4. Some of
the hairpin bends are extremely tight,
close to 180 degrees, and one can see
wrecks of vehicles from bygone days
that had slipped off the road to total
destruction.

In 1948, Godfrey Edmonds, ex-Spitfire
pilot, was the first person to drive up the
pass. Remarkably, this was before a road
was built and, with the assistance of a
team of Basothos with mules, he reached
the summit in five and a half hours.

The Sani Mountain Lodge is situated
at the top of the pass and affords
outstanding views of the valley and the
winding road below. One looks down
on the clouds, which obscure the low
ground at the foot of the pass. The
chalets at the lodge are comfortable
and guests have a welcoming sherry
awaiting them. The staff light a fire
in the chalets at 4pm and hot water
bottles are placed in the beds to help
keep out the evening chill as overnight
temperatures drop below zero degrees.

The Lodge claims to have the highest
pub in Africa and tourists pose for
photos in front of its sign in the bar

Excellent Chinese-built road