Blyde River Canyon

I. Presentation

The Blyde River Canyon is located in South Africa in Eastern Transvaal province of Mpumalanga.
The translation gives "Canyon River of Joy" and in Afrikaans "Blyderivierspoort.
Mpumalanga is located in the north of the Drakensberg's mountain.
the canyon is 26 kilometers in length and 800 meters deep. It is crossed by the Blyde River (joy).

Scenary Blyde river canyon

The name "Blyde River" was given in 1840 by women of Voortrekker pioneers.
They waited for their husbands left to search a road to Lourenco Marques.
As they did not return and died believing, they called the river near their camp Treur River (river of tears).

Later, she went looking for them and found them on the edge of another river, men were lost but alive. Therefore they named "Blyde River (river of joy)".

II. Activities

The Blyde River Canyon is the more important place of tourism of the Transvaal with Kruger National Park.
The canyon is ranked third largest canyon in the world by the tourism office, it is the fourth largest tourism attraction in the country with nearly one million visitors per year.

Lisbon Falls of Blyde River Canyon, South Africa

There are different views along the canyon:
- The most famous sight of the canyon is "three rondawels" it's appear like African huts (Afrikaans, huts = rondawels).
- Besides the Three Rondavels, you can comptempler the "World's End", a mountain which rises along the Blyde River.

- Close to the R36, you can visit Echo caves, caves are called Echo for the formation of some stalactites produces a particular sound when tapped.

Blyde River Canyon, South Africa

- Earlier in the canyon, u can find the "God's Window" a splendid view from 700 meters below the countryside and the wildlife reserves near the Kruger Park. - There are also some waterfalls as "Lisbon Falls, Berlin Falls" and "Graskop falls.

III. Blyde River Canyon Pictures

IV. Map Of Blyde river canyon

Map of Blyde River Canyon in Mpumalanga Province

V. Other Nature Reserves South Africa

Source: 2010