
Can you drive to Baboons Pass?
Lesotho, africa
26 km
2,689 m
extreme
Year-round
Alright, thrill-seekers, listen up! Baboons Pass in Lesotho's Maseru District is calling your name – if you're brave enough. This isn't your Sunday drive; we're talking about one of the most remote, roughest, and downright impassable passes in the country. Forget sedans – this is 4x4 territory, and even then, only for the seriously experienced.
Clocking in at 26km (16.15 miles) from Ramabantha Trading Post to near Semonkong, this road is a wild ride up to a staggering 2,689m (8,822ft) above sea level. Picture this: massive boulders the size of beach balls, super narrow spots, washouts from floods, seriously steep climbs, hairpin turns, and sheer drop-offs that'll make your palms sweat. One wrong move and you're taking a tumble!
Built way back in the '60s, Baboons Pass, affectionately nicknamed "the car breaker," is legendary. Don't expect to cruise – you might cover only 500m before needing to fix something or clear the path. Landslides and monster-sized rocks are common roadblocks. Oh, and the weather? Totally unpredictable, so be prepared for anything, especially rain. You'll likely be crawling in first gear, low range, for the entire distance. This baby can take up to 10 hours on a good day, or even two days when conditions get dicey! Bring a convoy of 4–6 vehicles, because teamwork is key on this epic adventure.
Road Details
- Country
- Lesotho
- Continent
- africa
- Length
- 26 km
- Max Elevation
- 2,689 m
- Difficulty
- extreme
Related Roads in africa
moderateEthiopia Travel: A Comprehensive Guide to Your Online Visa
🇪🇹 Ethiopia
Okay, picture this: the Semien Pass in Ethiopia's Semien Mountains National Park. This road is a leg-burner, stretching for 69 miles (111 km) and climbing to a dizzying 10,700 feet (3,260 meters) above sea level! The views? Absolutely epic! Think jagged peaks, deep valleys, and those crazy-cool gelada monkeys chilling on the cliffs. Seriously, the scenery is postcard-perfect around every bend. Now, here's the heads-up: This isn't a Sunday drive. Expect a mix of asphalt and gravel surfaces. It can get narrow and winding, with some serious drop-offs. Keep your eyes peeled for livestock, local buses, and other vehicles. But trust me, the views are totally worth the white knuckles!
moderateTake the Scenic Road and Discover Blounek
🇿🇦 South Africa
Okay, road trip lovers, buckle up for Blounek Pass! This beauty straddles the Western and Northern Cape provinces in South Africa, clocking in at a cool 1,643 meters (that's 5,390 feet!) above sea level. You'll find it nestled in the Nuweveld Mountain Range, south of Molteno Pass and north of Roseberg Pass. Picture this: for most of the 110 km (68 miles), you're cruising alongside the eastern edge of the Karoo National Park. Built way back in 1881, this stretch of the R381 offers a mixed bag of gravel and asphalt. You'll be travelling from Beaufort West (the Karoo's biggest town) all the way north to Loxton. Keep your eyes peeled for wildlife and soak in those vast Karoo landscapes!
moderateA wild road trip to Lalibela in Ethiopia
🇪🇹 Ethiopia
Okay, picture this: you're heading to Lalibela, a mind-blowing town nestled high in the Ethiopian Highlands at a whopping 2,541m (8,336ft). This place is seriously special, famous for its ancient rock-hewn churches – a UNESCO World Heritage Site, no less! Think "New Jerusalem" carved into the mountains. Getting there is half the adventure. You’ll find Lalibela in the Amhara Region, about 645 km (400 miles) north of Addis Ababa. The main route, D31, kicks off from Gashena and it’s about 59.5 km (36 miles) of winding roads that'll take you 1-2 hours. Expect a mix of tarmac and sandy stretches, navigating a narrow path shared by buses and Land Cruisers. It's a little rough around the edges, which is part of its charm. Its relative inaccessibility is what kept Lalibela preserved for so long. Now, there are other ways to get there! Adventurous types can try gravel routes from the west (via Werota) or from the north (via Sekota). But be warned: without your own wheels, the 130 km stretch from Sekota can be tough. For the best experience, aim for the dry season, October to March. Lalibela's a major draw, so you’ll find plenty of places to stay. Get ready for a journey you won't forget!
hardNkaobee Pass
🇱🇸 Lesotho
Okay, picture this: Lesotho, Leribè district, and you're about to tackle Nkaobee Pass! This baby climbs to a cool 2,510 meters (that's 8,234 feet!). The A25, as it's known, connects the charming villages of Lejone and Thaba-Tseka. The road's paved, which is a win, but hold onto your hats, because it's seriously steep in sections. Get ready for some incredible views, though – totally worth the climb!