Pajero Owners Club of South Africa

Question 1

Im planning on going to Lesotho at the end of the month with some friends - we will be 2 cars - both swb gen2 pajero, neither driver being very experienced 4x4ers (both girls with useless boyfriends/husbands - though they can cook quite well)
Im looking for advice about where to go and what to avoid. Im cool with some hard bits like rivers and rocks so long as they are not desperately difficult. (Proud moment when I crossed the Limpopo in flood (illegally...) to replenish gin and tonic supplies)

However, I dont fancy being stuck in the middle of nowhere with my fairly minimal mechanic skills - i can change tyres, use a high jack, wield a spanner but I know not much else.

We are planning on entering at Peka Bridge (think its called - coming from a farm at Clocolan) and then have 3 nights - exiting same place.

what advice?


mary

Highly recommended - Roma trading post run by Ashley and Jenny Thorn, think Ramabanta the other one, theirs as well. Phone them for general advise on road. What they do not know is not worth knowing. My 2c. Jones at Malealea also well spoken off in the circles travelling there.

Speedlimits between 50 and 80 kmh. Stick to it. Whatch out for animals on road to force slow downs for begging opportunities. All fines is 30 Maloti I was told and if you pay more you are robbed. Never appear to be in a hurry and stay calm and polite. Ask for receipts for the boss at home to prove expenses. Expect average speed to be less than 40 kmph on good tar roads and less on gravel roads.

Mohale dam and Katse dam. Katse dam camping and lodge or self catered house better option value for money. St James "missionary" lodge for last part to Sani or back to Clocolan.

Toilet facilities except at lodges mostly horrific or non existant. Take enough water, toilet paper,can opener and eat canned or dried fruit or biscuits. Fruit sales by locals fine but mostly prices a rip-off. Lodges as well at Mohale and Katse.

Sani top not my cup of tea. A drink yes but there it ends. Road down or up Sani trying in wet conditions. Expect passes like non others that most of us will remember for the rest of our lives.

Fill up with fuel every 200 km travelled or you might regret it. Take your own drinking water say 5 lires per day per couple.

Patience on "excellent roads amongst tarred potholes and gravel highly recommended. The people in general very helpful and friendly. Begging standard part of africa. No aggresion or stone throwing. Police enjoys chats and not difficult my opinion. Fellow road users very helpful ingeneral.

All Toyota products mostly state owned. Cruisers and D/C Hiluxes a pest on the road. Speeding and no regard for traffic rules. Whatch out for overheating brakes going downhill.

Do not travel at night or you will regret it. Tyre repair kit and tyre pump a must. Plenty camera batteries and storage cards. Get good maps and consult with lorry and taxi drivers regarding roadconditions and directions. Good map and GPS recommended. Cash only for fuel and even accommodation unless prepaid.