Seven breathtaking mountain passes in South Africa you need to experience

South Africa boasts some of the world’s most breathtaking landscapes, featuring rugged mountains, dramatic coastlines, and scenic winding roads. If you’re an adventurous traveller or a road trip enthusiast, exploring the country’s most scenic mountain passes is an experience like no other. Here are seven you simply must take.

1. Chapman’s Peak Drive – Western Cape

Possibly the most famous scenic route in South Africa, Chapman’s Peak Drive is a coastal mountain pass between Hout Bay and Noordhoek. Carved into the cliffs of the Atlantic Seaboard, this 9 km stretch boasts 114 curves, each offering mesmerizing ocean views. Sunsets here are particularly breathtaking, making it a must-visit for photographers and road-trippers alike.

2. Sani Pass – KwaZulu-Natal

Known as one of the most challenging and rewarding drives in South Africa, Sani Pass connects KwaZulu-Natal with the Kingdom of Lesotho. With its steep inclines, hairpin bends, and gravel roads, this pass requires a 4×4 vehicle. At the summit, travellers can enjoy a drink at the “Highest Pub in Africa” while taking in the panoramic views of the Drakensberg Mountains.

3. Swartberg Pass – Western Cape

A national monument and a marvel of engineering, Swartberg Pass is a gravel road that snakes through the Swartberg Mountains between Oudtshoorn and Prince Albert. Built in the 1880s, this pass is known for its dramatic rock formations and breathtaking switchbacks. The views of the Karoo plains and the deep gorges make this a must-drive route.

4. Bainskloof Pass – Western Cape

One of South Africa’s oldest mountain passes, Bainskloof Pass is a historical masterpiece that links Wellington and Ceres. Designed by Scottish engineer Andrew Geddes Bain, this route offers spectacular views of the surrounding valleys, rivers, and fynbos-covered mountains. The pass is also popular for hiking and waterfall exploration.

5. Outeniqua Pass – Western Cape

A gateway between the Garden Route and the Klein Karoo, Outeniqua Pass is a modern, well-maintained road that offers some of the most scenic mountain views in South Africa. The pass is famous for its lush green landscapes, rolling hills, and sweeping vistas over George and the Indian Ocean.

6. Naude’s Nek Pass – Eastern Cape

As the highest dirt road pass in South Africa, Naude’s Nek offers a rugged and remote experience through the Drakensberg Mountains. The pass, which connects Maclear to Rhodes, offers a wild, untouched beauty that makes you feel completely immersed in nature. It’s an adventurer’s paradise, best tackled with a sturdy 4×4.

7. Long Tom Pass – Mpumalanga

Named after the Long Tom cannons used in the Anglo-Boer War, this scenic pass near Lydenburg is one of Mpumalanga’s most dramatic routes. It winds through misty mountain peaks, offering awe-inspiring views of the lush Lowveld below. The combination of history, scenery, and a thrilling drive makes Long Tom Pass a must for road-trippers.