Sani Mountain Escape

A charming lodge in a really beautiful place. Rondavels are very atmospheric, with a working fire place. Nights are cold but there was a hot water bottle which stayed warm the whole night (no idea how that’s possible…). Food was a disappointment though - especially the lamb main for dinner which was like a piece of rubber. The drive down to South Africa is fun. You don’t need a 4x4 when conditions are dry, but definitely need high clearance.

Nice Place also for Backpacking. Staff is very helpful and friendly. Also Knowledge about other Places to Travel to. Great Coffee. Great Views. In the afternoon very crowded die to daytours from SA coming in, so Food and Drinks take Kinder than in the evening or in the Morning

Important to know: I stayed in the Sani Top Backpacker. During the day this place is full of people, but when all the day tourists leave it is beautiful up there. Easy to explore. I had the backpacker's for myself which was nice. The kitchen is well equipped. The only issue there was were frozen pipes and therefore no running water. But there was a filled water tank which was enough for myself. My room was small but the bed was comfy and warm; so enough for me. The staff was really nice and helpful. They helped me to figure out my route the next day as I was travelling independently and without a car through Lesotho. My evening I spend in the pub with guests from the lodge. We gathered around the fire and had a good night.

Where to start.... they gave us wrong information how to get up there. We ended up missing the reservation because they told us we could just park at the border and take a taxi from there. Now I've spent 5 months trying to get our money back for their mistake, and they continue to ask for my BANK ACCOUNT AND ROUTING NUMBER instead of refunding to my card, and say that they are unsure why I'm uncomfortable providing this information via text

Wonderful experience. Gracious people. Good food and drink. Warm and cozy rooms. Just a great place to stay for a night or two. Wood burning stove id a great job of heating the room. Hot water, and I mean hot, tubs added to bed by staff. Highly recommend.

Growing up in the area meant frequent trips up the Pass. However, this time was a little different. Surprise #1: On arrival at the entrance, you are slapped with a R50 per person entrance fee. Surprise #2: It is not deductible off your food bill. So immediately you need to R50 to whatever you’re ordering. I totally understand the probable reasoning behind this entrance fee, but it would be reasonable to assume that if one chose to eat a meal etc and not just abuse the toilet facilities, that this would be deducted off your bill. In the 20+ years of going up the Pass and to the Lodge, this was a first in terms of entrance fees. Surprise #3: Food is expensive and below average. Hot drinks aren’t hot (and yes I understand the physics of boiling points at altitude etc etc). Surprise #4: The bill. Average breakfast plus the now R50 pp gate entrance and you’re looking at some serious notes. So for a family of four, R1000 won’t leave you with much change! I think they’ve fallen well into the trap of tourism. Covid dealt everyone a blow, but making up for it through expensive food and drink is offsides. Visitors are better off packing a picnic, driving a little further and enjoying the views elsewhere (for free).