Popular: South Africa · Cape Town · OR Tambo · Dolphin Bay · Lesotho
Mpumalanga, South Africa · ZA
A canyon named for grief and joy, and one of the world's largest green canyons
History & Heritage
The canyon is 26km long, up to 800m deep, and is described as the third-largest canyon on Earth after the Grand Canyon and Namibia's Fish River Canyon — called a 'green canyon' for its subtropical vegetation. In 1844, Voortrekker leader Hendrik Potgieter's expedition to Delagoa Bay split into two parties; the group that stayed behind, fearing the other had died, named a river 'Treur' (mourning). When Potgieter's party returned safely, the river they were reunited at was named 'Blyde' (glad).
The wider region's modern history is gold-rush history: gold was found near Pilgrim's Rest from the early 1870s, and the town was declared an official gold field in September 1873, drawing 1,500 prospectors.
The Blyde River Canyon Nature Reserve was established in November 1965 and is now run by the Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency. God's Window, the reserve's famous viewpoint with a 700m drop to the Lowveld, was a filming location in the 1980 cult film 'The Gods Must Be Crazy'.
Key Historical Places
Cylindrical potholes carved by whirlpools at the exact confluence of the Treur and Blyde rivers, marking the start of the canyon.
↑ Walk the pedestrian bridges early morning before tour buses arrive.
A rock formation resembling traditional huts, with an indigenous naming layer honouring a 19th-century chief and his three wives.
↑ The eastern-rim viewpoint gives the classic three-dome photo angle.
An escarpment viewpoint with a 700m drop to the Lowveld, a filming location for 'The Gods Must Be Crazy' (1980).
↑ Visit before mid-morning cloud typically rolls in.
A gold-rush town declared an official goldfield in 1873, now a living-museum heritage site.
↑ Combine with a canyon day trip via the R532.
Timeline
Must-See Attractions
Water-carved cylindrical potholes at the Treur/Blyde confluence, with an interpretive centre and walkway bridges.
Marks the canyon's start
An iconic view of three rounded rock domes across the canyon.
Eastern-rim viewpoint
A 700m escarpment drop-off view over the Lowveld.
Best before mid-morning
A single quartzite rock column rising out of a forested gorge.
Along the R534
A glass viewing lift descends 51m into indigenous forest, with a suspension bridge and zipline.
8:30am-5pm daily, cashless only
Watersports and boat access on the dam within the reserve.
Aventura Swadini area
Accommodation
A Victorian-style B&B with a rose garden on Hugenote Street in Graskop, 3.5 km from The Pinnacle and 8.8 km from God's Window
A 78-chalet self-catering resort beside the Blyde River inside the Blyde River Canyon Nature Reserve, with a heated pool and boat trips on the Blyde Dam
A 38-room boutique art hotel in Graskop with artist-designed rooms, garden suites and a daily set dinner, 1 km from the Graskop Gorge activity centre
Molly's Garden Cottage, Graskop Exceptional 4.9/5 self catering in Graskop, Blyde River Canyon. Property Details Type: Self Catering Guest Rating: 4.9/5 (Google, 34 reviews) Check-in: 14:00-21:00 Check-out: 07:00-10:00 Rooms: 3 bedrooms (2 queen, 1 loft with 2 singles), 2 bathrooms, sleeps 6 Amenities Entire 120 m² cottage, sleeps 6, Kitchen, Wi-Fi, Free on-site parking, Digital...
A three-bedroom Victorian heritage cottage on Main Road in Up Town, Pilgrim's Rest, let as a whole house for up to six and hosted by Carmen
A lodge on Kowyns Pass Road on the edge of Graskop Gorge, with B&B hotel rooms, self-catering chalets, backpacker rooms and free gorge entry
Self-catering chalets, guest houses, glamping tents and camp sites on the R532 at the Blyde River Canyon, about 10 km from Bourke's Luck Potholes
Panorama Chalets and Rest Camp, Graskop Very good 4.2/5 self catering in Graskop, Blyde River Canyon. From ZAR 1,000/night. Property Details Type: Self Catering Guest Rating: 4.2/5 (Google, 827 reviews) Price Range: ZAR 1,000 per night Check-in: 14:00-19:00 Check-out: 10:00 Rooms: 22 self-catering chalets (1-8 guests each, 83 guests total) Amenities Fully equipped kitchens, Bed...
Restaurants & Dining
A well-reviewed restaurant in Graskop, the canyon's nearest town.
A restaurant near the Graskop Gorge Lift with panorama views.
A beloved savoury and sweet pancake cafe, a Panorama Route institution.
A family-friendly restaurant in Graskop town.
Activities & Experiences
Several one-day trails through the reserve's escarpment terrain.
Dam-based watersports at the Aventura resort areas within the reserve.
A 70m freefall swing and zipline through the Graskop forest canopy.
Designated picnic and braai facilities within the nature reserve.
Hippos, crocodiles, primates and raptors including the Narina trogon.
Events & Entertainment
A river tube race that has become an annual fixture, open to the wider community.
One of South Africa's toughest ultra-marathons, a 56km race over Long Tom Pass, drawing 1,000+ runners.
A national gold-panning championship held at the historic gold-rush town of Pilgrim's Rest.
Book mixed tickets and experiences for your trip to Blyde River Canyon
Find Tickets → GetYourGuideStay in the Know
Get our new destination guides and changes to visa and border rules by email.
🍪 We use cookies to improve your experience and serve relevant ads. Cookie Policy