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In 1840, the Voortrekker leader, Hendrik Potgieter, led a party on an exploratory journey to Lourenzo Marques. The women
stayed behind on the height near Graskop and most of the men rode off. The time for their return came and passed. The
waiting party became despondent. They named the stream on whose banks they were camped, the Treur (sorrow) and set out
for home. Potgieter, however, returned safely, overtaking the women as they were fording the river from then on known as the
Blyde (joyful). The Blyde River Canyon is one of the most spectacular canyons in Africa and its cliffs rise between 600m-800m
from the riverbed. At the ‘Three Rondavels’ viewpoint (also called ‘The Three Sisters’) is an unforgettable view of three huge
rock spirals rising out of the far wall of the canyon. Their tops appear to have a hut-like rounded roof. Where the Blyde River and
the Treur River meet, water erosion has formed one of the most remarkable geological phenomena in the country, known as
‘Bourke’s Luck Potholes’. Over thousands of years, surreal cylindrical rock sculptures created by whirling water have formed a
series of dark pools which contrast artfully with the streaked white and yellow lichen covered rocks. Following the road and the
Treur River south, there are further viewpoints; Wonder View, God’s Window and the Pinnacle. The Three Rondavels are named
after the Swazi Chief - Maripi’s wives. From the lowest to the highest, they are Magabolle, Mogoladikwe and Maserote.

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