I am pleased to report that my inaugural journey into South Africa's immediate borders within the Southern African Development Community (SADC) has commenced.
Despite possessing three full M-Visas, I had never ventured into any SADC country prior to this trip.
However,
@VolkswagenSA and
@VWGAnews have now facilitated this transition, effectively bridging the gap.
This marks Day 2/5 of the Amarok Adventure 2026. The event, themed around
#Amarok4xForce and
#75YearsofVolkswagen, proved to be the most satisfying automotive experience I have had the privilege to attend.
The excursion featured 10 Amarok vehicles navigating diverse mountain terrains, characterized by rocky inclines, hills, and cliffs, which posed considerable challenges. Nonetheless, all vehicles successfully completed the challenge, covering over 200km on the day.
The journey entailed driving from the Premier hotel to the foot of Sani Pass, a 14 km drive, followed by approximately 27 km of winding ascent up the pass, necessitating the use of various driving modes (4A, 4H, 4L, 2H) due to changing tarmac conditions.
Upon crossing the Lesotho border, the road smoothed out en route to Black Mountain Pass, which boasts an elevation peak of 3240m above sea level, rendering it the highest point in the Southern Hemisphere. Consequently, Lesotho experiences more snowfall than any other country in the region. The Volkswagen Amarok derivatives demonstrated remarkable composure in tackling the demanding terrain, with the 10-speed gearbox and 21-inch Goodyear all-terrain tires providing substantial grip on slippery surfaces.
The most formidable challenge arose during the descent through Sani Pass, where the dominant gear of choice was 4L, owing to short, rocky descent angles and drops that required precise technical gearing for braking.
The Amarok's infotainment system proved invaluable in this regard, offering an off-road view that facilitated obstacle detection. I anticipate that Day 3 may pose similar challenges, and I look forward to discovering the details of tomorrow's adventure.
#AmarokAdventure2026 #Amarok4xForce #75YearsofVolkswagen