The Blyde River Canyon cuts through the Drakensberg Mountain Range, and is the third deepest canyon in the world. It ranks as one of the most spectacular sights in Africa.

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The Blyde River Canyon (recently renamed the Motlatse) cuts through the Drakensberg Mountain Range, and is the third deepest canyon in the world. It ranks as one of the most spectacular sights in Africa. A public road runs along the western boundary and there is easy access to beauty spots like The Pinnacle, God's Window, Wonder View, Bourke's Luck Potholes and a lookout point towards The Three Rondavels. From many of the lookout points one has a view of the 33 kilometer long gorge. You can reach this public road through the canyon by R532 from Graskop.

The Vegetation in the canyon is both varied and lush, and a rich selection of birdlife includes a breeding colony of the rare bald ibis. Wildlife in the canyon is as varied as the habitats. There are impala, kudu, blue wilderbeest, waterbuck and zebra near the canyon's mouth, and hippo and crocodile in the Blyde Dam.

Beneath the canyon the Blyde River also yields the unique and critically threatened Lowveld Riparian Forest, which now only covers 100 hectares. Where the Blyde and the Treur Rivers meet, water erosion has formed one of the most remarkable geological phenomena in the country, known as Bourke's Luck Potholes. The Potholes are very impressive rock formations that were shaped millions of years ago by erosion. The Blyde River is dammed at the mouth of the canyon to create the Blyde Dam at Swadini. You can take boat trips across the Dam to the spectacular Tufa waterfalls, arrange canoing, rock-climbing or simply hike into the great outdoors.

There are only few accommodation options along the Blyde River Canyon. However, you find good hotels, lodges and guest houses in the adjacent towns Sable, Graskop, Hazyview, Ohrigstad, Lydenburg or Pilgrim's Rest. All these places are also good starting points for a visit to the central section of the Kruger National Park