The namesake of the picturesque mountain of Marepe Mountain View has a remarkable history.
At 1,947 metres above sea level Mariepskop is the highest point of the Blyde River Canyon. Mariepskop is named after the 19th century Pulana chief, Maripe Mashile, whose tribe used the mountains as their stronghold. The mountain was known at “Thaba ya Moholoholo” or “The Great One”.
In an effort to evade their enemies chief Maripe sought refuge on the mountain plateau. In the Moholoholo war of 1864, boulders were rolled down to ward off the enemy and numerous attacks on their stronghold were repelled. Skeletons of the Swazi casualties littered the mountain slopes for years.
The mountain peak remained undeveloped for years making it a paradise for unique flora and fauna. Development of the Mariepskop Radar Station started in the 1950s. A first road to the summit was completed in 1957 under management of Warrant Officer 1 W.P.C. Rohrbeck. The road was improved in 1961 and the radar station was completed in 1965. In 2003, the radar station was abandoned and has since been taken over by nature again.
Marepe Mountain View invites you to a special tour up this prolific mountain and show you all the natural wonders it offers.
