The tight zig-zagging curves of Sani Pass make it, one of the most magnificent Mountain Passes in South Africa!

It ascends through the sheer cliffs of the Drakensberg, linking- KwaZulu Natal to the independent Country of Lesotho. The route up Sani Pass starts at 1,544 metres and climbs 1,332 m to an altitude of an outstanding- 2,876 m. Originally only a mule track, it is still a tortuous, hair-raising road today! The views from this altitude are nothing less than awe-inspiring though. There is snow and frozen Waterfalls in Winter, and a flourish of flowers in Summer. 

This Pass was built in about 1950. It still remains a challenging drive even in 4x4 Vehicles with all the added adventure of different scenery, changing weather conditions.

On 26th October, 1948, Godfrey Edmonds (an ex Royal Air Force, Spitfire Pilot) was the first person to ever drive the Pass in a vehicle. This was before the Road was built. It took him five and a half Hours to reach the Summit and he was assisted by a team of Basotho's with mules, ropes and other equipment. (In those days, this achievement was akin to climbing Everest.) A company then formed in Motkhotlong, (a City and seat of Mokhotlong District, in the mountainous Northeastern part of Lesotho) called: " The Motkhotlong Mountain Transport Company". They would take curious adventurers on the amazing 1332m climb, up the Sani Pass. ( please look at Further Reading for the Link) This company does still exists today and they still do the Sani tour. (They now have however switched to Toyota Land Cruisers.)

The Sani Pass covers a portion of the Maloti-Drakensberg Park. This Park in itself is a World Heritage Site and known for its spectacular natural landscape. In fact, the Reserve has about 690 Rock Art Sites, and it is now known that the San lived in the Drakensberg on and off for at least 25 000 Years. The oldest Rock Paintings have been dated, as nearly 3 000 Years old. Sadly, the last of the San people disappeared from the Southern Drakensberg, around the 1870's. The images depict animals and human beings, and represent the spiritual life of the San people, representing an exceptionally coherent tradition that embodies their beliefs and cosmology over several Millennia.

SO WHY NOT TAKE A 4X4 ADVENTURE UP THE SANI PASS TO THE HIGHEST PUB IN AFRICA!

Yzerfontein is considered the ‘Pearl‘ of the West Coast. Yzerfontein, our hidden gem, is a pleasant one hour drive from the metropole of Cape Town, also lying 26km West of the Village of Darling. Having left the suburbs behind, the main arterial road, the R27, is a smooth, scenic drive heading north through long stretches of undisturbed fynbos with views of long bays and blue ocean to the left. The turn-off to Yzerfontein is well signposted and the road immediately hints at the interesting nature of this coastal Village. The 9 km stretch to the Town offers a couple of quirky stops for refreshments and the white lime kilns on the sides of the road never fail to pique people’s interest. A slight rise before the entrance to the town gives one expansive views of 16 Mile Beach which stretches all the way to the Northern tip of the West Coast Nature Reserve and is the longest uninterrupted beach on the South African coastline. Looking south, is the famous view of Table Mountain in the distance.

Yzerfontein is a unique destination, and not only because of the spectacular seascapes, wild fynbos and wildflowers; the entire town is a designated conservancy where man and nature live in harmony. Raised walkways, well-defined walking paths and accessible beaches allow visitors to explore almost every inch of this magnificent coastline. The cold Benguela current delivers bracingly cold water, but this does not deter regular swimmers, surfers and almost every other water sport.

Yzerfontein is a popular holiday resort for many reasons, come and enjoy the warm hospitality of our West Coast Town.

This was intended to be a Boarding House for the late-night Theatre Attendees in 1893. However this Building is now a Four Star Heritage Hotel. (The innuendo being: "It is situated within the Centre of Bloemfontein and this City is known as; 'The City of Roses'".)

It is in close proximity to all business and entertainment facilities. Things to do in the Area include Visiting: the Oliewenhuis Art Gallery, National Women's Memorial Museum, the Botanical Gardens, Anglo Boer War Museum and Battlefields, hiking in the Zoutspruit Game Camp, Jagersfontein Big Hole Open Mine and stargazing at Boyden Observatory. The Hotel is located on the corners of Markgraaff and Charles streets with Gymnasiums and porting facilities only a couple of minutes away. For shopping you can visit Westdene Checkers Centre and the famous Loch Logan Waterfront also offering a host of other entertainment options, including the Nu Metro Theatres to catch the latest movie. Within walking distance you will find the Sand du Plessis Theatre. (The Sand du Plessis Theatre in Bloemfontein is a multi-purpose theatre that continues to host a number of fantastic events and performances). The Civic Theatre as well as the only Appeal Court in the country and many more Historic Buildings and Museums. Renovated in Victorian and Edwardian style and officially reopened on 01 November 2004, this is Bloemfontein's most prestigious Four Star Luxury Hotel offering superior quality executive rooms. There are 21 luxury en suite bedrooms and they comprise of the following : 2 luxury honeymoon suites with a lounge and balcony area overlooking the streets and historic buildings of Bloemfontein; 5 luxury double rooms and 14 luxury twin rooms. All the bedrooms are en suite and offer very comfortable furnishings. The hotel is Four Star TGCSA graded as well as AA Superior in the Small Hotels category. Rates are worked out to suite every need, providing you with four star quality and service that is affordable combined with superb cuisine and Old World Charm.

Schoenstatt’s Founder was a priest, Father Joseph Kentenich was born in 1885, near Cologne in Germany. In 1912, he was appointed Spiritual Director in the Pallottine Minor Seminary. His educational goals were clear: "The young men were to become strong, free, leader personalities who aimed at holiness in everyday life in the World." He inspired the young people to achieve this goal through self-education, encouraging them to turn to Mary as a Mother and Educator.

On October 18, 1914, he dared to take the first step in founding the Schoenstatt Movement. Gathered with some of the students in their small Chapel. They consecrated themselves to Mary, an act that has since become known as: "the Covenant of Love." This Covenant of Love, is a mutual exchange in which Mary completely gives herself. Whoever responds by offering his or her life entirely to Our Lady. They asked her to make the little Chapel her shrine. This is now a place of grace and pilgrimage. In return, they offered her their apostolic efforts, prayers and sacrifices, that this wish would become a reality. None of the youths who had gathered in the little cemetery Chapel of the once Augustinian Monastery could have known that this day was the beginning of such a growth and development.

Nearly 100 years of Schoenstatt history have shown that our Lady took their Covenant seriously and had claimed this spot for herself. Schoenstatt has become one of the bigger religious centres of renewal in the World!

The Schoenstatt Family today is made up of more than 25 different branches and communities all over the World. As an apostolic Movement, it belongs to one of the renewals of spiritual life within the Catholic Church, including communities for laity and priests, for married and unmarried, for youth and families – each organised according to the degree of commitment to apostolate and community life.

"Some call it cute, some call it an oasis of peace, a source of strength, others ask: “Why so small?” Whatever the experience, the truth is that our little Shrine in Constantia is a replica of the original Shrine in Schoenstatt, Germany." The original foundations of the so-called Mother Shrine go back to the 1300's when the property belonged to the Augustinian Community.

The meaning of the word Schoenstatt means “a beautiful place”. The Shrine in Constantia was blessed in 1960 and has become a haven for many. In 1901 the property in Schoenstatt, Germany, came into the hands of the Pallottine Fathers. In 1914, Fr Joseph Kentenich, together with some young seminarians, invited the Mother of God to come into the shrine and make it a place of grace and pilgrimage. It was a daring request which was to have far-reaching consequences.

The First World War had already begun and some of the young men were later called on, to fight in the battlefields. A number of them died, having pledged their lives for the fruitfulness of Schoenstatt. They were all heroic and saintly. The cause for canonisation has been opened for Joseph Engling, one of the seminarians. This Shrine in Constantia, is 1 of the almost 200 “Daughter Shrines”, found on all Continents.

It is located sandwiched between Sunwich Port and Sea Park, on the South Coast of KwaZulu Natal.
Southport and the various little Suburbs, tend to regard themselves as extensions of Port Shepstone, so there is rarely anything to disturb a holiday idyll along this lovely stretch of Coastline. There is only 8 kilometres of travel to reach the variety of Shops, Restaurants and other entertainment in Port Shepstone, or the ‘buzz’ of Beach resorts in Shelly Beach, St Michaels, Uvongo and Margate. (Southport is popular amongst those who seek the buzz only when and if they choose to do so.)
Southport in the old days was little more than a Railway Siding. However in today's time; there are at least 10 golf courses within a 50 kilometre radius of Southport; nature Reserves, hiking trails and snorkelling sites abound. Some of the best fishing spots are very close by; Oribi Gorge is just inland of Southport and well worth a day’s visit and, if you are a diving fanatic, Aliwal Shoal is close to the Village of Umkomaas. This is only one of the most spectacular dives particularly in the Cathedral Area of the reef. The Southport Beach is very popular and both holiday makers and locals keep on returning to it and it is not difficult to understand why it is such a firm favorite. Also known as the Anerley Beach, this picturesque beach has it all. With a safe swimming beach that is manned by capable life guards, shark nets, a tidal pool that is both kid and adult friendly, rocky areas and rock pools to explore, gorgeous views and to top it all; it is a Blue Flag beach. This little Suburb is a perfect location for a Beach Holiday or retirement!