The '''Blyde River Canyon''' is a famous site with tourist visiting the Kruger National Park and its surroundings.

Understand

The Blyde River Canyon is the third largest canyon worldwide, after the Grand Canyon (USA) and the Fish River Canyon in Namibia.

Get in

It is situated along the Panorama Route and easily accessible from the west of the Kruger National Park and the towns of Sabie and Nelspruit.

If you come from Johannesburg, treat yourself with a drive through Belfast, Dullstroom, Lydenburg and Pilgrim's Rest en route to Graskop. If possible, spend the night in one of the hotels/lodges/camp sites on the escarpment and devote a day to exploring the whole Panorama Route.

Get around

See

The canyon itself. There are waterfalls (Berlin and Lisbon), the Pinnacle, God's Window, Wonderview, Bourkes Luck Potholes (with a fascinating display of the wildlife and geology of the canyon) and several viewpoints, the best-known is The Three Rondavels/Three Sisters.

Do

There are hiking trails in the nature reserve and horse riding is a possibility, but most people seem to drive through it on their way to or from game reserves like Kruger National Park.

Drive the panorama route to see all the geological features such as God's Window, the Pinnacle and the many waterfalls.

Buy

Many locals sell artwork here, ranging from those famous wooden giraffes to knobbly paper made from elephant dung. Prices are higher at more frequented sites and lower at spots off the main stream.

Eat

Pancakes, savoury or sweet, in Graskop or Pilgrim's Rest.

Drink

Sleep

  • Aventura Blyde Canyon. lyde@foreversa.co.za. 27 (0)13 769-8005" directions="21km from the R36 on the R532. ttp://www.foreversa.co.za/blyde_canyon/blydepoort.htm.
  • Otter's Den. ttp://www.ottersden.co.za/. 27 (0)15 795-5488. nfo@ottersden.co.za. rom R590pp. The accommodations are simple and charming and it is like being in a treehouse on the river. The food and service were excellent, and to get to the property guests walk across a suspension bridge over the Blyde River.
  • Kwa Thabeng Bush Lodge. ttp://www.kwathabeng.co.za/. 27 (0)12 811-0134. nfo@kwathabeng.co.za. rom R165pp. Self catering bush camp near Kruger National Park
  • Sabie
  • Dullstroom