Travel Alert: Sani Pass closed until further notice due to heavy snowfall

update 09 June 2026

Authorities have provisionally reopened Sani Pass on 07 June 2026 following the recent heavy snowfall. However, conditions remain challenging, with snow and ice still present in some areas. Travellers are urged to exercise extreme caution and ensure their vehicles are suitable for mountain driving conditions.

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The famous Sani Pass—the sole road link connecting South Africa and Lesotho over the Drakensberg escarpment in KwaZulu-Natal—has been closed to all traffic effective immediately. This closure follows severe winter weather conditions and heavy snowfall on the Lesotho side of the mountain route.

Current conditions and safety advisory

Due to significant snow accumulation and icy road surfaces, travel through the pass has been deemed highly hazardous.

• Vehicle restrictions: The closure applies to all vehicles, including 4x4s and overland transport.
• Travel  advice: Motorists and travellers intending to cross the border via this route are strictly advised to postpone their trips. Do not attempt to approach the pass until authorities officially declare the route safe for transit.

KwaZulu-Natal on the Sani Pass Lesotho Border Post

Pics: @kzncogta pic.twitter.com/fmKJHqrkog

— Nhlanhla Mabaso (@_NMabaso) June 5, 2026

Government response and monitoring

According to Senzelwe Mzila, spokesperson for the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA), provincial disaster management teams have been deployed to the area. These units are currently assessing the severity of the snow blockage, monitoring regional weather patterns, and standing by to provide emergency assistance to any stranded travellers as required.

Key takeaways for travellers

• Check border status: The Sani Pass port of entry operations are affected by this closure. Ensure you verify border accessibility before undertaking any travel toward the area.
• Monitor updates: Road clearance operations will depend entirely on weather conditions on the upper escarpment. Monitor official COGTA communications or local KwaZulu-Natal traffic updates for reopening announcements.
• Alternative routes: Consider utilizing alternative, low-altitude border posts (such as Ficksburg Bridge or Caledonspoort) to travel between South Africa and Lesotho, though these should also be checked for localized weather disruptions.

 

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AfriSki Mountain Resort: Winter season kicks off at 05 June 2014

Most travellers coming to Southern Africa from overseas probably don't expect to go skiing or snowboarding in this part of the world. But hey, why not? AfriSki Mountain Resort, for instance, is one of only two skiing resorts in Southern Africa that offers winter skiing and snowboarding each year by way of natural and man-made snow to all from beginners to advanced skiers and snowboarders. This year's winter season at AfriSki, which is located 3,322 m above sea-level in the Maloti Mountains in Lesotho, kicks of at 05 June 2014 and lasts until 31 August 2014.



AfriSki Mountain Resort can be accessed from South Africa via the Caledonspoort Border Post at Fouriesburg. Once through the border post and into Lesotho, the scenic Moteng Pass leads you to the the Mahlasela valley at 3,222m above sea level. It takes about 90min from the border post to the AfriSki resort (mind the occasional potholes, speed limit 80km/h, distance: 73km). The border post is open daily from 06:00am to 22:00pm. Please fill up your car at Bethlehem or in the Lesotho town of Butha Buthe, just over the Caledonspoort Border Post.

btw - the only other skiing resort in Southern Africa - besides the AfriSki Mountain Resort - is the Tiffindell Ski Resort in the Eastern Cape Highlands in South Africa. Go check it out!

Video: Snowboarding in Southern Africa

The AfriSki Mountain Resort in Lesotho is the only skiing resort in Southern Africa, located 3,322 m above sea-level in the Maloti Mountains. The resort offers skiing and snowboarding to all from beginners to advanced skiers and snowboarders. Don't worry if you don't have any winter sport equipment - all can be rented at the resort. Renting is not super cheap, but also not that expensive. Like everywhere else in the world the access to AfriSki's slopes requires a so-called "snow pass" which allows you to use the various slopes and lifts in the resort. Snow passes range from 1/2 days all the the way to 7days and season passes. The season pass is currently R2200/person, while the 1 day pass is R350, 2 day pass R600, 3 day pass R750 and the 4 day pass is R900.
The accommodation options at the resort are ranging from pricey lodges to backpackers.



Access from South Africa to the AfriSki Mountain Resort is gained via the Caledonspoort Border Post at Fouriesburg. Once through the border post and into Lesotho, the scenic Moteng Pass (newly tarred) leads you to the the Mahlasela valley at 3,222m above sea level. It takes about 90min from the border post to the Afri-Ski resort (mind the occasional potholes, speed limit 80km/h). The last chance to fill your car up is at Clarens or Fouriesburg in South Africa. The border post is open daily from 06:00am to 22:00pm.

Snow shuts down major roads in KwaZulu Natal & Eastern Cape

update (28 July 2011, 07:35): The N3 between Johannesburg and Durban has been re-opened with restricted lane usage in places. It is advised to postpone travelling on the tour to at least today. The N3 highway at Van Reenen's Pass between the Free State and KwaZulu-Natal was closed to at least yesterday morning.

update (27 July 2011, 11:45): According to several weather forecasters, the skies in South Africa will clear soon/cleared already up. Snowfall stopped in most places last night. The Lesotho area will remain rather cold but no more snow was forecast.

update (27 July 2011, 07:05): Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa said yesterday that all long-distance train services had to be cancelled because of the bad weather. The Trans Natal, between Johannesburg and Durban, and the Amatola, between Johannesburg and East London, will not run today.

update (26 July 2011, 13:15): the following roads are currently also closed:

• R56 between Matatiele and Mount Fletcher
• R56 in Kokstad, Maluti
• N10 from Middelburg to Bloemfontein all closed
• All roads leading to Dordrecht, except Queenstown via Lady Frere
• Boesmanshoek between Queenstown and Molteno
• Roads between Elliot and Indwe and Ngcobo and Cala
• N10 between Middelburg and Murraysburg
• Road between Middelburg and Colesberg
• N9 between Middelburg and De Aar
• Road between Cradock to Graaff Reinet
• R56 between Cala and Elliot closed
• R58 between Ngcobo and Elliot
• R67 in Fort Beaufort, Seymour, Cathcart
• R351 between Cathcart and Whittlesea
• Barkly pass on R58 between Elliot and Barkly East
• R56 between Mount Fletcher, Maclear and Matatiele 

Due to snowfall some major roads in South Africa are currently closed. The N3 highway between Johannesburg and Durban has been closed from the Wilge toll plaza near Villiers to the Tugela toll plaza near Ladysmith.


View snow in SA 26 July 2011 in a larger map

The N5 and N11 have been closed at mountain passes.
The N2 between Kokstad and Mount Ayliff is currently closed, as well as the Wapadsberg and Lootsberg passes, and the R72 between Kenton on Sea and Alexandria.

Snow & rain: Road closures in Camdeboo, Karoo & Mountain Zebra National Parks

update (26 July 2011): All tourist roads in Mountain Zebra National Park are closed, including the 4x4 Trails and the Kranskop Loop. 

There are important road closures to take note of when travelling to Camdeboo National Park and Karoo National Park [via sanparks.org]

• All the tourist roads in the Karoo National Park are closed today, with the exception of the Lammertjiesleegte Route, due to snowfall. (update 26 July 2011): The Park is currently running on generator power during 18:00 - 22:00 in the evenings.
• The Valley of Desolation and Game Viewing Area in Camdeboo National Park are closed today due to snowfall and heavy rain respectively.