Mariepskop is the highest mountain in the Lowveld. As it was originally an Airforce base, the last few kilometers of road were cemented but the other 40km are horrendously steep and washed away gravel roads. There is a picnic spot, that is accessible from halfway up, but this road is only drivable with a 4x4 car.
Today there are several antennae for the different mobile networks there so when there’s bad weather on the mountain, there’s a bad signal for your phone.
Leaving Klaserie One Stop it takes about 90 minutes to reach the top, where there are spectacular views of the escarpment and of the Blyde Dam.
This is the only other place in South Africa that has the same vegetation as on Table Mountain in Cape Town.
Entrance Fee is R30 and the gates are open from 06.00 till 17.00.
We got special permission to be there before sunrise!