Three Rondavels
The three quartzite peaks across the Blyde Canyon — the iconic photograph of the Panorama Route.
Trip Role
Ideal stay
Best for
Our take
The Panorama Route's iconic image — a 20-minute stop that completes the canonical Blyde loop. Go early.
The Panorama Route's iconic image — a 20-minute stop that completes the canonical Blyde loop. Go early.
- Trip Role
- Quick Stop
- Ideal Stay
- 20–30 minutes
- Best For
- All Panorama Route travellers.
- Skip If
- No one doing the route.
- Go If
- You're on the Panorama Route — it's the iconic stop.
- Worth Extra Drive
- 0 min
Why it's worth your time
The three rounded quartzite peaks that rise from the far wall of the Blyde River Canyon, the single most-photographed formation on the Panorama Route. The viewpoint is a 5-minute walk from a car park on the R532, with the canyon and the dam below. It's a quick stop — 20 minutes — but it is the image of the Panorama Route, and pairing it with God's Window and Bourke's Luck makes the canonical half-day loop. Go early for the light and to beat the coach crowds.
What we love
The three peaks from above; the canyon sweep below; the way it completes the God's Window–Bourke's Luck–Rondavels loop.
What to know
Short walk from the car park; small conservation fee. Crowds from 10am — go at 8. Pair with God's Window and Bourke's Luck for the canonical loop.
More viewpoint in Mpumalanga
Blyde River Canyon
One of the world's largest green canyons, on the Panorama Route above the lowveld.
Bourke's Luck Potholes
Strange, swirling rock potholes where the Treur and Blyde rivers meet — the start of the canyon.
God's Window
A cliff-edge viewpoint on the Panorama Route looking out over the lowveld to Mozambique.