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Large canyon in South Africa
Photo: (WT-en) Fluglotse2000 at English Wikivoyage aka. User:Africaspotter, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
The Blyde River Canyon is a famous nature reserve, popular with tourists visiting the Kruger National Park and its surroundings. The reserve protects the Blyde River Canyon, including sections of the Ohrigstad and Blyde Rivers and the geological formations around Bourke's Luck Potholes, where the Treur River tumbles into the Blyde below. Southwards of the canyon, the reserve follows the escarpment, to include the Devil's and God's Window, the latter a popular viewpoint to the lowveld at the reserve's southern extremity.
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Potholes and rock formations carved from the rock by water action at the confluence of the Blyde and Treue rivers. There's a small museum that explores the local wildlife and geology of the canyon and walking trails to the rock formations. The potholes are named after a miner called Tom Bourke, who found a bit of gold here, but never got rich as the gold seam was located a short distance to the south of his claim. You may also see some local birds.
View point looking out at the Blyde River Canyon, the Blyde River dam and the Lowveld
View point over the Blyde River Canyon to the Three Rondavels rock formations. The walls and domed peaks look like three traditional huts overlooking the canyon.
A short walk from the parking lot leads to several viewpoints of the falls.
A very pleasant lookout with views of the escarpment, a forested valley and onto the lowveld and Kruger National Park. There's also a trail that leads up along the ridge through the rainforest that is able to grow at the top of the escarpment.
The lookout point at the top gives views of the Lisbon River as it tumbles 92 m into the gorge below.
A 30m high outcrop of quartzite rock rising above the forested valley. There's a short walk to a viewing platform.
The highest viewpoint on the road (1,730 m) with views of the Lowveld and escarpment.
Accredited safari tour operator offering tours to the Kruger National Park and surrounds including scenic highlights of Blyde River Canyon and the Three Rondawels.
Mix of accommodation types with one and two bedroom chalets, tents, campsites with electrical hookups and hostel/dorm beds. Amenities include cold swimming pool, convenience store, hiking trails, horse rides, Kadisi Bar, Kadisi Restaurant, liquor store, petrol station, putt-putt, tennis courts (floodlit), trampolines, volleyball.
Accommodation in a couple of old stone cottages and a traditional-style round house. One building has mixed dorm bunk beds and the other two can be rented privately. Each building has a fridge and there is communal kitchen facilities. Tent camping sites are also available.
It is located along the R532 and R534 highways (locally known as the Panorama Route) and is easily accessible from the Kruger National Park and the towns of Graskop, Sabie and Mbombela.
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