Mountains and peaks in South Africa

Mountains and Scenic Peaks

South Africa’s topography is defined by its dramatic escarpments and ancient massifs. This collection spans from the Cape Peninsula’s sandstone peaks, including the iconic Table Mountain and Chapman’s Peak, to the rugged Panorama Route in Mpumalanga. Featured locations include the Blyde River Canyon’s unique geological formations like the Three Rondavels, high-altitude mountain passes, and coastal lookouts over the Indian Ocean, offering insight into the country’s diverse vertical landscapes.

Mountains and Scenic Peaks — Map

Abu Shawka / CC0

A

Table Mountain

Table Mountain is a flat-topped mountain forming a prominent landmark overlooking the city of Cape Town in South Africa.

Zaian / Public domain

B

Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens

Kirstenbosch is an important botanical garden nestled at the eastern foot of Table Mountain in Cape Town.

Bernhard Hecker / CC BY-SA 2.0 de

C

Cape Point

Cape Point is a promontory at the southeast corner of the Cape Peninsula, a mountainous and scenic landform that runs north-south for about…

Coda.coza / CC BY 2.5

D

Table Mountain (Maclear's beacon)

Table Mountain is a flat-topped mountain forming a prominent landmark overlooking the city of Cape Town in South Africa.

Dominik Peters / CC BY 3.0

E

Chapman's Peak

Chapman's Peak is a mountain on the western side of the Cape Peninsula, between Hout Bay and Noordhoek in Cape Town, South Africa.

Super.lukas / CC-BY-SA-3.0

F

Three Rondavels Viewpoint

Three grass-covered mountain peaks of quartzite and shale that resemble traditional round huts. They rise over 700 meters above the surrounding landscape of the Blyde River Canyon.

G

God's Window

A viewpoint on the Drakensberg escarpment where cliffs plunge over 700 meters to the Lowveld. On clear days, the vista extends across the Kruger National Park toward the Lebombo Mountains.

David Graham / CC BY 3.0

H

Flying Dutchman Funicular

The Flying Dutchman Funicular, also known as the Cape Point Funicular, is a funicular railway located at Cape Point, near the Cape of Good…

Kay / CC BY 2.5

I

Hout Bay

Hout Bay is a seaside suburb of Cape Town in the Western Cape province of South Africa.

NJR ZA / CC BY-SA 3.0

J

Long Tom Pass

Long Tom Pass is a mountain pass on the Great Escarpment situated in the Mpumalanga province, on the R37 regional route between Lydenburg…

Marcus / CC BY-SA 4.0

K

The Pinnacle

A freestanding quartzite rock tower rising 30 meters above the indigenous forest floor. Located along the Panorama Route, the tower is flanked by small waterfalls dropping into the Ngwaritsane River.

A G / CC BY-SA 2.0

L

Berlin Falls

An 80-meter-high waterfall where the Sabine River cascades through a narrow cleft into a deep green basin. The falls are known for their candle-like shape, formed by a narrow top section widening into a broad base.

TISSERAND MARIE H / CC-BY-SA

M

Debegeni Falls

Set at the base of the Magoebaskloof, these falls cascade over smooth rock surfaces into a large natural pool. The name translates to 'place of the big pot' in Northern Sotho.

N

Lowveld View

A viewpoint situated 1,219 meters above sea level, offering panoramic views of the Blyde River Canyon, the Three Rondavels, and the Blyde River Dam.

Marcus / CC BY-SA 4.0

O

Heads Lookout

A series of viewpoints overlooking the Knysna Heads, two massive sandstone cliffs guarding the narrow entrance to the Knysna Lagoon from the Indian Ocean.

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