Access roads to the Drakensberg

Re Lotheni Road....whether one goes via Himeville or Nottingham Road, the road surfaces are much the same. I prefer the Nottingham Road route as the first portion of it is tarred. From Notts would take 1.5 hrs with a bakkie and longer with a car, although with a low clearance small car, will have to be patient and go slow!!

Good afternoon, does someone have an update for me on the state of the Injisuthi road?
Thanks
Nicolaas

The Injisuthi road is pretty much in the same poor condition as it has been for the last few years. I was there earlier this week, and it is getting worse, but not in the sense that the bad places are getting worse, but rather that there are more places with potholes and broken out tar than before, although a lot of the potholes are filled with building rubble and aren't massive holes. The gravel road is pretty much the same as always, rough but driveable. I went there in an Opel Corsa without any problem, after the rains of the weekend, just taking it easy and dodging the potholes, so anyone in any vehicle should be able to get to Injisuthi. There were also several caravans and trailers at the campsite on Wednesday, so even the people towing caravans and trailers got there ok.

Thanks Tony!

Hey guys
Just a quick update on road conditions to Lotheni

Arrived via Himeville. The tar road to Himeville is littered with very deep potholes. The 30km gravel section on lower Lotheni road is not bad (went in a Polo).

We travelled back from Lotheni to Nottingham road. About half of the 60km is gravel. It feels much longer and the road is more bumpy and rougher in certain section than the section coming from Himeville. It then changes into a smooth new tarred road, which then changed back into a potholed tar just before reaching Nottingham road.

I would not take the Nottingham road again, although the scenery along the way is simply stunning. I felt my car suffered less coming from Himeville.

Lotheni itself is spectacular. Few people. But this also makes it difficult to follow a overgrown trail in places. But I feel like it adds to the adventure. The mountains and river are good enough landmarks if you loose the trail.

Coming from Nottingham road, the Kamberg turnoff is almost at the end of the smooth new road. It's then just 18km on gravel to the reserve. Didn't visit it though. On the bucket list

I almost feel that though the rd from Notties to Lotheni might be worse than the road from Underberg to Lotheni, the rd past Midmar to Underberg is also potholed and busy.  Almost feel it is less stressfull to travel through Notties to Underberg.  If i was going to Lotheni, the tranquility of the Notties to Lotheni rd seems better than the Underberg rd.  The travel time is also not to different.

Yes, I would agree. If you're considering to approach to the gravel also, the Bulwer - Himeville way is just a red zone for anything with low profile tyres. Personally, I prefer swerving over bouncing, but that might be due to inhaling too much pollution lol.

Hi Guys.  Does anybody know the current conditions of the gravel road to Lotheni? (will be using an Etios Cross) And what would be the best approach coming from the north? (Nottingham Road?) Many thanks!

We drove the lower Lotheni road to the Lotheni campsite (from Nottingham Road) over New Years and it was fine, no major damage, a small car would make it if you take it slow.