The lower control post is where Sani Pass begins to feel real. You have ridden up from the green foothills of the KwaZulu-Natal Drakensberg, past farms, pine plantations, and the villages of Himeville and Underberg, and at the end of a quiet road you arrive at a small border post of the South African side, with a barrier, an office, and a view of the great basalt wall that closes off the valley. Beyond it, the road turns to gravel and heads straight at the escarpment.
This is the point of no return, in a sense. You must show your passport and vehicle papers, and the staff will ask where you are going and often check whether your vehicle is suitable. The post is only open during daytime hours and closes in the afternoon, so check the times before you go, and remember that the Lesotho border post at the top has its own rules and visa requirements. Carry your documents in a dry place, and have copies, because mountain weather can be harsh and the process can take time.
The pass itself is gravel and steep, climbing around a thousand metres in only a few kilometres, with tight hairpins, rocky ramps, and stream crossings. It is considered a 4x4 route, and many riders attempt it on adventure bikes, though a heavily laden machine or an inexperienced rider can find it exhausting. The surface changes with the weather, and rain, snow, or ice can make it dangerous. Ride it early, well within your skill, and consider the descent as carefully as the climb.
Fuel and supplies should be arranged in Underberg or Himeville, the last sizeable places on the South African side, where there are stations, shops, and places to eat. There is nothing at the control post, apart from a few basic facilities. Bring warm layers, because it can be cold at the top even in summer, and the weather can change in minutes. Winter snow often closes the pass, and spring and autumn offer the best balance of clear weather and safe conditions. The view up to the wall of the escarpment from here is worth a pause.