When life delays your departure, and the Maluti Mountains are calling, you need a vehicle that can make up the difference. For our recent mid-winter escape to Afriski Mountain Resort, the Lexus GX 550 Overtrail proved it could be a mountain-ready bruiser as much as a five-star urban cruiser.
It wasn’t the early start we had planned. Life got in the way, as it tends to do, and by the time the four of us finally loaded up the Lexus GX 550 Overtrail and left Pretoria, it was nearing midday. No matter. The sky was clear, traffic was light, and the Lexus felt every bit the mountain tamer we had hoped it would be for our trip to Afriski Mountain Resort in Lesotho.
THE RIGHT CAR FOR THE JOB
The highway section of the journey, along the R21 and N3, passed in smooth silence. Lexus has a way of making even the dullest parts of a trip feel like something to savour. We set the cruise control at a relaxed 100 to 110 km/h, partly to keep the fuel gauge from dropping too quickly, but mostly to dial ourselves down from the pace of the week. The GX’s 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 petrol is no economy special, but that relaxed pace rewarded us with a very decent 11.1 l/100 km for the first leg of the journey.
After Villiers, we peeled off onto the R26, cutting through Bethlehem and Fouriesburg. The route felt like a proper road trip, with fewer cars and more scenery, and the GX just lapped it up. Comfortable, calm, and built for long stretches like this. It’s worth noting that this car’s competitors, the INEOS Grenadier 3.0T (R1,799,500) and the Land Rover Defender 110 D250 X-Dynamic SE (R1,832,200), are serious machines in their own right. The Defender’s diesel might offer better economy. Still, neither matches the GX’s blend of luxury and go-anywhere attitude (courtesy of its e-KDSS (Electronic Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System) in quite the same way.
The sun was dipping by the time we crossed the border at Caledonspoort around 4 pm. Not a problem yet, but in winter, when the Mahlasela Pass can throw snow and ice at you with little warning, time is not something you want to gamble with. Fortunately, it had been weeks since the last snowfall, though icy patches on the road were still a possibility. With the surefooted Lexus beneath us, those concerns faded. Full-time four-wheel drive, a locking rear diff, and Toyo Open Country 265/70 R18 all-terrain tyres gave us every reason to feel confident.
TWISTS, TURNS, THEN THE CLIMB
I wish I could say the roads were as reassuring. From the border post up to Oxbow Lodge, things had gone south. Two years ago, this stretch was in decent condition, but now, potholes and uneven surfaces were more common than not. The GX soaked it up, of course, but it was a stark reminder of how quickly infrastructure can degrade. Past Oxbow, the A1 returns to a beautifully maintained mountain highway, although the threat of black ice still looms in those shaded corners.
We pulled into Afriski Resort just as the last light slipped away, and not a minute too soon. Summit Restaurant awaited, and after a long drive, its warm alpine interior, comfort food, and Maluti beers were precisely what we needed. It’s the heart of the resort, a place that feels as much like a ski lodge in the Alps as you’re going to get without actually buying a plane ticket.
Our accommodation for the weekend was Whistler’s Camp, a no-frills, honest spot that’s perfect if you’re here to ski, not sit indoors. Converted from old road construction quarters, it’s simple, clean, and brilliantly located. There’s no need for luxury here. The point of Afriski is what’s outside, not inside.
Snow and Redemption
Friday and Saturday were spent on the slopes, with only brief stops for snacks or a hearty burger and pizza at Gondola Restaurant, conveniently placed at the foot of the main slope. For me, this trip was more than an opportunity to break away. The last time I was at Afriski, in 2022, a tumble on the slopes ended my weekend prematurely, with a trip to the local Catholic Mission Hospital. It wasn’t an experience I wanted to repeat. This time, however, things were different. Getting back on the skis felt like shaking hands with an old friend, and after the first few runs, the nervousness was gone.
The slopes themselves were in fantastic condition, and on Saturday morning, we woke up to find that Mother Nature had gifted the resort with about 50 mm of fresh snow overnight. This was a big deal. Usually, Afriski relies on its snow-making systems to keep the slopes covered, but this year, nature did the job for them. The resort, still the only ski destination of its kind in Southern Africa, is perched at just over 3,000 m above sea level, which means that when the snow falls, it sticks. The resort’s highest point sits at about 3,222 m, with a base of around 2,917 m and a 305 m drop on the main slope, just enough to feel alpine without overwhelming beginner or intermediate skiers.
Visiting Afriski isn’t a cheap holiday. When you factor in fuel, accommodation, meals, drinks, and equipment hire, it adds up. But it’s still far more accessible than a European ski trip, and there’s a uniqueness to carving down Lesotho’s slopes that you won’t find anywhere else. Plus, the local hospitality adds a flavour no Alpine resort can replicate.
MOUNTAINS IN THE MIRROR
Sunday came around all too quickly, and after a hearty buffet breakfast, we packed up and headed back toward Gauteng. The route was familiar, but what struck me this time around was how the R26 is much better maintained now than it was a couple of years ago. Perhaps it was the glow of a good weekend, or maybe I just chose better lines.
We were in a bit more of a hurry heading home, which meant the pace crept up to between 120 and 130 km/h, and so did the fuel consumption, rising to around 13.8 l/100 km. It’s not frugal, but then, the GX is a big, powerful SUV, built for comfort and capability, not hypermiling.
Key features that made a difference on this trip included the heated front seats, which kept us toasty on the chilly mornings, and the USB-C ports front and rear, which kept our devices charged up. The cabin is spacious, with ample room for four adults and all our gear, and the ride remained serene, even on the rougher patches of road. It’s also, in my opinion, one of the best-looking SUVs on sale right now. Lexus really nailed the proportions and design here, and judging by how well it’s been selling since launch, it seems the market agrees.
LAST WORD
If I were to nitpick, I’d mention that the petrol-powered GX’s fuel tank could be larger, and perhaps its rivals offer more in terms of cargo versatility with seven seats, but for what we needed, the GX 550 Overtrail delivered exactly what we asked of it.
It’s not just an off-roader with a Lexus badge slapped on. It’s a luxury SUV that doesn’t flinch at real adventure. Regardless of whether you’re gliding along the highway, dodging potholes on regional backroads, or climbing icy mountain passes, it feels composed and capable. At the end of the day, it got us to the Malutis and back in style and comfort.
For a weekend of good friends, snow, and conquering old fears, I couldn’t have asked for a better companion.
Report by BERNIE HELLBERG JR | Images © HENRI OLCKERS / BERNIE HELLBERG JR / AFRISKI MOUNTAIN RESORT
