Blyde River Canyon
“Explore the largest ‘Green Canyon’ in the world”
Discover the breathtaking Blyde River Canyon, the third-largest canyon on Earth and the greenest canyon in the world. Just a scenic drive from Ubuntu Luxury Villa, this natural wonder is one of South Africa’s most iconic landmarks. Towering rock formations, lush subtropical vegetation, and spectacular viewpoints showcase the dramatic meeting point of the Drakensberg Escarpment and the lowveld. Drive the famous Panorama Route yourself or join a guided tour to explore must-see highlights like God’s Window, Bourke’s Luck Potholes, and the Three Rondavels.
Self drive
A self-drive along the Panorama Route is one of the most scenic day trips from Hoedspruit and a true highlight of any South African adventure. Departing from Ubuntu Luxury Villa, you’ll head up towards the mountain town of Graskop, exploring the outer rim of the breathtaking Blyde River Canyon. This iconic route showcases South Africa’s diverse landscapes—from bushveld to dramatic escarpment views. Highlights along the way include the Three Rondavels, Bourke’s Luck Potholes, God’s Window, and several stunning waterfalls. A map with recommended stops and insider tips is available at the villa to help you plan the perfect round trip.
Walks
You can also explore the Blyde River Canyon from another perspective when you go for a hike on one of the many trails. We would suggest doing the Peninsula trail at Swadini Nature Reserve which is close to Hoedspruit town. This is a 2.3-km loop trail. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 1 hour to complete. This is a popular trail for hiking, but you can still enjoy some solitude during quieter times of day. More experienced hikers would want to do the Hippo Trail hike at Swadini Nature Reserve which offers incredible views of Blyde River Dam, the possibility to see hippos, see the “back” of the Three Rondavels, and plenty of birdwatching. It’s a 14km out-and-back trail which takes about 8+/- hours (depending on how long you hike).
A walk to the Blyde Dam Wall is also very nice to experience, especially during summer after the rains.
Guided tour
Enjoy this amazing ‘must do’ day trip to the Blyde River Canyon. You will be picked up from the villa by our professional partner. During your trip, you will be accompanied by a professional guide who will bring you to the most breathtaking sites and viewing points on the famous Panorama Route, such as Three Rondavels, Bourke’s Luck Potholes, God’s Window and some beautiful Waterfall stops. A lunch stop will be made in Graskop town at your own expense. You will be dropped off at the villa at the end of the trip.
Waterfalls
While you are enjoying the most stunning scenic views of Blyde River Canyon. We would suggest visiting some of the beautiful waterfalls along the panorama route. Our favorite spots are:
Lisbon Falls: The highest waterfall of the Panorama Route is the Lisbon falls. It is a 94 meter high waterfall, surrounded by lush greenery and towering cliffs. Admire the beauty of the waterfall from various viewpoints at the top.
Berlin Falls: It takes its name from gold rush miners from Europe that named each waterfall in the region after their home towns or places. This 80 meter high waterfall is surrounded by lush plants and tall cliffs, creating a beautiful display.
Lone Creek Falls: This is a 70 meter high waterfall, surrounded by green plants and rocks covered in moss. After walking along a short, winding path, you come to a small bridge from where you can admire the waterfall up close and really feel the power of the plunging water.
Blyde Dam Boat Trip
Enjoy the Blyde River Canyon on a 90 minute guided tour and receive a unique view from the water. A tour guide will take you to the rare Kadishi Tufa waterfall and the Three Rondavels. The stunning views will keep you distracted while learning more about the natural history of the Blyde Canyon. At 200m (around 660 feet) in height it is the second tallest tufa waterfall on earth. The dam and surrounds is home to a range of wildlife species such as kudu and duiker, as well as leopard and other small carnivores. The dam itself is home to hippo’s, crocodiles and fish eagles which you may be lucky enough to spot on the leisurely 90-minute boat trip.
Lunch with a view
We discovered two real gems on our own self drive. We arrived in Graskop and were looking for a nice place to have lunch. We searched on Google Maps and finally we arrived at Divine Foods at The View. We absolutely love the view on the Lowveld from the terrace. The staff is really friendly with good service and the menu is great with lots of delicious items to choose from. We would advise you to make a reservation upon arrival. Check the website for the menu and contact number: https://www.divinefoods-graskop.com/
The other restaurant is called The Chubby Pig, located in the area of Bourke’s Luck Potholes. This charming riverside eatery surprised us with its peaceful setting and relaxed vibe. It’s a lovely stop for lunch or a coffee break on the Panorama Route. There’s a small gift shop too, and even a safe spot for kids to splash in the river. You can check their location and reviews on Google Maps.