Hodgson’s Peaks — Drakensberg Southern Escarpment Sentinel Viewpoint

Hodgson’s Peaks are two prominent basalt pinnacles on the southern Drakensberg Escarpment wall, visible from the R617 well below Himeville and dominating the skyline as you work up the lower switchbacks of Sani Pass. At roughly 3,200m, they mark the transition zone between the foothill farmland and the raw escarpment. No facilities, no signs — just rock and wind and the kind of scale that reminds you your rig is small. On clear mornings before the cloud builds, you get unobstructed sight lines south toward Cobham and north toward the Amphitheatre. This is the POI that tells you you’re finally in the real Drakensberg.

Best light is early morning before orographic cloud rolls in off the plateau. Access is visual from the pass road itself — no side track needed. 4WD and a snorkel help once you’re above the border post in wet season. Check Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife road condition reports before committing to a winter run; snow and black ice hit the upper wall fast.

Twin basalt fangs above Sani's escarpment wall.