Three Rondavels

The Three Rondavels serve as the start or finish of the Panorama Route and are precisely what they sound like: three circular, slightly pointed mountain summits that resemble traditional African huts. They are also occasionally referred to as the Three Sisters, though this mistakenly associates them with another similar trio that can be seen from the N1 farther down the nation in the Free State.

Once known as The chief and his three wives – the flat-topped peak represented Mapjaneng, famous for opposing invading Swazis in a memorable battle is on the right, whilst the rondavels are three of his more troublesome wives – Magabolle, Mogoladikwe and Maseroto.

The view point is breathtaking. From here, a view of the Three Rondavels across the canyon and the northern flanks of the Drakensberg mountain range is lies in all its beauty.

Geographically speaking, the stunning formations can be explained as the gradual weathering of soft stone beneath, exposing the quartzite and shale rondavels that are the subject of our admiration. Regardless of where they came from, they are definitely amazing. A trip along the third largest canyon in the world would not be complete without stopping at the Three Rondavels.