The Three Rondavels, South Africa: Best Views and Experiences for 2025
Are you looking to see the unique and fascinating aspects of South Africa’s natural world?
Then you’ve got to check out the Three Rondavels in Blyde River Canyon. Stand on the edge of the canyon and take in the view.
🏞️ Looking for the best tour of the Three Rondavels and the Panorama Route? You’ll love this full-day tour from Hazyview.
Three massive rock formations that look like traditional African huts, called rondavels. It’s not just a great photo op. It’s a spot that tells a story about the area’s geological and cultural background.
Whether you’re into hiking or just love a good scenic view, the Three Rondavels are worth a visit. Here I’m going to tell you what makes this place so fascinating and why it should be on your list.
The Three Rondavels are fantastic, quirky, natural rock formations. They’re found on the edge of South Africa’s spectacular Blyde River Canyon, about 460 km northeast of Pretoria.
The three grass-topped, rotund rocks were discovered in the early 19th century. They’ve since become a popular tourist attraction along Mpumalanga’s Panorama Route.
They’re aptly named after traditional African round houses or “rondavels”.
The Three Rondavels are surrounded by a landscape of rare, incredible natural beauty. The views of the Blyde River Canyon and its lush subtropical vegetation are dramatic and stunning.
It’s no wonder why this area is considered one of South Africa’s most spectacular tourist destinations.
The area is also home to diverse wildlife including waterbuck, baboons, bushbuck and varieties of birds and primates.
The Three Rondavels and the Blyde River Canyon area are the perfect spot for outdoor enthusiasts looking to explore the beauty of this region.
Popular activities include hiking, boat trips, abseiling, and kayaking, to name just a very few. You even have the opportunity to bungy jump or take a scenic helicopter flight.
The area is also well known for its other geological features. You can look for fossilized plant remains and ancient lava flows.
You’ll even find other incredible rock formations such as Bourke’s Luck Potholes and God’s Window.
Quick Essential Facts
2025 Entry Fees (conversion rates are subject to change):
…· SA Residents: R45/ US $2.40 for adults, R30/ US$ 1.60 for kids
…· SADC: R50/ US $2.67 for adults, R35/ US $1.87 for kids
…· Foreigners: R90/ US $4.80 for adults, R60/ US $3.20
Route: R534 from Graskop to the Blyde River Canyon
Hours of Operation: 7 am to 5 am
Trail: the easy loop trail is 0.5 km, or 0.3 miles
View: the view to the left of the main viewpoint is the best
Follow this link to get the most current fees.
The Fascinating Details
1. The Three Rondavels are located on the edge of the Blyde River Canyon Nature Reserve, which is the world’s third-largest canyon and one of South Africa’s most breathtaking sites.
Blyde River Canyon is the second-largest canyon in Africa, smaller only than Fish River Canyon in Southern Nambia
2. The three rocks are also known as the Chief and Three Wives. The story is that the adjacent flat-topped hill was named Mapjaneng, or “chief”, after the fabled chief of the BaPedi people named Maripi Mashile.
One round peak is named for each of his maddening wives: Mogoladikwe, Magabolie, and Maseroto. Some say that the wives still bicker after the sun goes down.
3. Behind these soft peaked Rondavels to the west is the lone Thabaneng Hill. This hill is known as something of a sundial. It’s said that its shadow shows the time of day.
4. The Three Rondavels are popular with tourists as they provide the perfect scenic viewpoint for photographs. The vista from these grass-covered peaks is often considered one of South Africa’s most stunning.
5. The Three Rondavels were formed due to the slow erosion of the soft stone that lies under the surface. This left the more impervious shale and quartzite exposed. These two elements make up the Rondavels.
Visiting the Three Rondavels
Getting to the Three Rondavels is relatively easy as it’s located within the Blyde River Canyon Nature Reserve. It’s about a five-hour drive from Johannesburg on the R534, so it’s best to plan for an early start if you want to make the most of your visit.
The route takes you past the town of Graskop and then continues on a winding road along the edge of the canyon.
The Three Rondavels are visible from most points along this route, so you can stop off at any point to take photos or admire the view.
Once you reach the Blyde River Canyon Nature Reserve, it’s an easy hike of around 30 minutes to the Three Rondavels.
There are some steep sections, but nothing too difficult and well worth it for the fantastic views. Make sure you wear comfortable shoes and bring plenty of water!
Once you reach the Three Rondavels, take your time to soak in its beauty and appreciate the unique geological history of the rocks.
Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport (KMI): If you’d like to begin your trip at the Three Rondavels, your ideal entry point would be the Mpumalanga Airport.
The Rondavels are about a two-hour drive from the airport. Alternatively, they are about a 40-minute drive from Lydenburg, where the Panoramic Route begins.
Lydenburg is around a 1 hour and 40-minute drive from the airport.
The Best time to visit the Three Rondavels
The best time to visit the Three Rondavels in South Africa is during the warmer months of September to April. These are usually the driest and sunniest months, making it ideal for a day trip or longer excursion.
During this period, you can expect warm days with clear skies that provide stunning views of the canyon.
Where to stay
There is a great selection of accommodations in the Blyde River Canyon area. Here are a few excellent options:
✔️ Westlodge at Graskop – ⭐️ Rated 10 out of 10, with 7 reviews. People rave about the staff, cleanliness, comfort, breakfast, and location.
✔️ Zur Alten Mine – ⭐️ Rated 9.6 out of 10, with 41 reviews. Favourite parts of stays were the tranquillity, rural setting, and delicious German breakfasts. Families love it! Great rates, too.
✔️ Angels View: ⭐️ Rated 8.8 out of 10, with 15 reviews. It is described as romantic, contemporary, and luxurious.
Travel & Planning Tips: The Panorama Route to the Three Rondavels
- The Panorama Route is more than one road. It’s a scenic area located in the Mpumalanga Province of South Africa. To the south, it follows the escarpment of the Drakensberg mountains, which separate the Highveld to the west from the Lowveld to the east.
- The Three Rondavels is an ideal addition to a trip along the Panorama Route of Mpumalanga. This route itself is a must if you’ll be vacationing in this area.
- The Panorama Route is a 3.5-hour drive if you don’t make any stops. While it’s possible to complete the drive and catch the most scenic points along the way, it’s best to plan at least 3 days for this road trip.
- The Panorama Route will also take you passed the free-standing Pinnacle Rock, and stunning waterfalls such as Mic Mac and Bridal Falls.
- The Panorama Route is centred around Blyde River Canyon, on the edge of which lies the Three Rondavels. Therefore there will also be some amazing hiking opportunities available to you when you visit them.
Favourites near the Rondavels are the Guinea Fowl, Tufa, and Leopard Trail, which you can do in succession. Rated as moderately challenging, the entire loop trail is 6.9 km, or 4.3 miles. It takes about 3.5 hours.
An easier, shorter option is the Bourke’s Luck Pothole loop hike at 1.1 km, or 0.7 miles. These “potholes” were formed at the point where the Blyde River and the Treur Rivers meet.
Over millennia, the swirling water created these craters in the sandstone, which now hold the coins of thousands of wishes. Good luck with yours!
- If you’re visiting Kruger National Park, the Three Rondavels is only about an hour and a half from Orpen Gate, on the west side of the park.
What to pack
- What you need to bring will depend a bit on what activities you plan to enjoy:
- Even if you won’t be doing any other hiking, you’ll want a comfortable pair of shoes to get you to the top of the rondavels.
- Sunscreen, hat, and sunglasses are always a good idea. The sun can be stronger than you think!
- A full, reusable water bottle and a few snacks. Be careful to take any trash out with you!
- Check the weather forecast. If rain is predicted or the sky looks stormy, best take a rain jacket with you. The visibility might be decreased, but there’s still a lot to see here.
Summing It Up – The Three Rondavels
A trip to see the Three Rondavels and the view from the top is absolutely worth the time. The perspective from here will show up in your photos again and again, because you’ll want to capture it just perfectly.
This geological wonder, and all the others nearby in the spectacular Blyde River Canyon are going to make you wish you had more time to spend here.
Be sure to bring plenty of memory cards and battery power!
Happy Travels!
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