Beauty can be many things; A captivating portrait, a sonnet of a poet. In the Blyde River Gorge, it was not created by human hands, but carved by Mother Nature over thousands of years. Meander through the world’s largest green canyon and discover what makes this geological phenomenon a South African masterpiece.
Departure: From the town of Nelspruit in the province of Mhumalanga, it takes more than three hours to drive to the end of the panoramic route. Named after its sweeping view of the cliffs of Drakensberg, this scenic tour allows visitors to experience the adventure that is to come.
See also: Start your journey with Bourke’s Luck Potholes. At the confluence of the Truhl and Blyde rivers, foamy rapids carve cylindrical holes into the rock. Marvel at these constructs on a series of bridges, then make a wish and throw a coin into a spooky pool.
Twenty minutes later, nature proved in Three Rondavels how genius her hands were. These eroded peaks rise from the ground and are more than 700 meters away from the lush landscape and bear a striking resemblance to traditional South African farmsteads.
Tucked away at the end of the Bled Dam is the Kadish tuff waterfall. It took millions of years to form and is one of the few active tuff waterfalls in the world. Here, the waterfall absorbs calcium from the dolomite, forming a face-like deposit. After a day of rain, watch the weeping creatures wake up.
Things to do: Take a boat trip at the Blyde Canyon Adventure Center and go with the flow. The slopes of the canyon are covered with green blankets all year round, creating a path for local flora and fauna to thrive along the 25-kilometer-long river. Learn about the most iconic sights from your knowledgeable guide while learning about the daily commute of crocodiles and hippos.
Explore the hidden treasures of the Blyde River Nature Reserve along a variety of hiking trails. Home to the country’s five species of primates, otters, antelopes and the rare Teta falcon, the area has plenty to discover on foot. If you’re up for the challenge, the three-day Blyderivierspoort Trail will leave you breathless and speechless.
The Blyde River Canyon is an artistic wonder of nature. With well-crafted mountains, verdant valleys and fantastic wildlife, nothing can steal away the beauty that flows here.