Three Rondavels

The word "Rondavel" is a South African word that refers to a round hut-like dwelling (usually with a thatched roof). The three well known gigantic peaks of quartzite and shale with their sheer rock walls tower more than 700m above the surrounding landscape. These peaks are named after the three most troublesome wives of Chief Maripi Mashile - they are (from left to right) Magabolle, Mogoladikwe and Maseroto.

Above the 700 meter 2 300 foot deep gorge behind the Three Rondavels is Maripeskop, at 1 944 meters or 6 378 foot, this is the highest peak in the Mpumalanga (Transvaal) Drakensberg. This peak is named after the Pulana chief Maripe who in the early 19^th century fled with his tribe to the mountain, from which he successfully beat off attacks by the Swazis.

Far below the escarpment, at the inflow of the Ohrigstad River, glitters an artificial lake created by the damming of the Blyde River

The Blyde River Canyon, (which is Mother Nature at her best, is a fascinating display of landscapes, wildlife and geology within the canyon), is the third largest canyon worldwide, after the Grand Canyon in America and the Fish River Canyon in Namibia. This canyon is situated along the Panorama Route of Mpumalanga, which includes waterfalls, the Pinnacle, God's Window, Wonderview, Bourkes Luck Potholes and numerous viewpoints of both the canyon and the Lowveld. The Canyon itself has numerous viewpoints, whist the most famous of these being the “Three Rondavels” or sometimes referred to as the “Three Sisters”.