With the challenge of Lundin’s Nek behind us and having reached the top of Naude’s Nek, we settled into our overnight stop, Tenahead Lodge. Tomorrow would see us descending the pass and heading to Mount Fletcher and Matatiele, before a run across the foothills of the Southern Berg to Midmar Dam, and the end of our adventure in Hilton.
Situated 2 500 m above sea level and recognised as the highest mountain lodge in Africa, the 5-star Tenahead Lodge nestles among the mountains a few kilometres from the top of Naude’s Nek. Offering stunning views and with a friendly, comfortable ambience, a good night’s rest meant we woke up refreshed and ready for day two of our adventure.
After taking in the spectacular views from the top of Naude’s Nek, we began our descent which provided the opportunity to put the Sorento’s hill descent control to good use. Easily adjusted by accelerating or braking to an appropriate speed for the gradient and road conditions, it reduced driver input to little more than steering the best path through the rocks and ruts.
A few kilometres from the bottom of the pass we arrived at the farm Vrederus, still owned by descendants of the Naude brothers who had constructed the original pass nearly 130 years ago. Traditional hospitality meant a spread of delicious home-baked snacks while enjoying a brief rundown on the history of this pioneering family. We were soon back on the R396 in the direction of Maclear, now Nqanqarhu, before heading off onto the most direct route to Mt Fletcher.
Joining the tarred R56 and heading towards Matatiele brought a change of tempo, the road carrying a much higher volume of traffic as it passes numerous villages and rural homesteads. Leaving Matatiele, it was time for a last run on gravel as we took the direct route to Swartberg before joining the R617, which runs from Kokstad, through Underberg and Bulwer, before joining the N3 at Howick.
Undoubtedly one of the most scenic routes in SA, it provides views up to Sani Pass and other peaks as it winds through the foothills of the southern Drakensberg. Now a lot busier than it used to be, and requiring quick reflexes to avoid the potholes, it provides access to several resorts and quiet getaways in this beautiful area.
Related: Kia Sorento Adventure – Part 2
Far too soon we reached our destination in Hilton, ending a two-day journey of nearly 1 000 km which included a mix of road surfaces ranging from national highway, through potholed regional roads, a variety of gravel roads, and some stretches which could hardly be called roads at all. Comfortably bettering 8,0 L/100 km over the trip, the Sorento proved to be an ideal travel companion, comfortable and refined, and with enough agility to avoid potholes. It earned its stripes on the rougher sections, proving itself as an excellent all-round family SUV.
Kia Sorento Sorento 2.2 CRDi SXL AWD 8DCT FAST FACTS
Price: R998 995
Engine: 2,2-litre, four-cylinder turbodiesel
Transmission: 8-speed, DCT
Power: 148 kW @ 3 800 r/min
Torque: 440 N.m @ 1 750 – 2 750 r/min
Ground clearance: 176 mm
Fuel consumption: 6,8 L/100 km
CO2 emissions: 177 g/km
