Blyde Canyon Panorama View
Our map, which was lacking in various areas of the country, gave us a rough idea of where we were headed. We passed through small towns and even had to stop to let a farmer’s donkeys cross the road. A wrong turn actually offered us a view of the Blyde River dam and the start of some spectacular views. We were unable to see the waterfall though as they were filming an episode of “Survivor: I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here!”
We continued our way around the canyon, which is the 3rd largest in the world, to the opposite side of where we’d just been. Although well out of our price range, we stayed at Blyde Canyon Resort. We were told the closest accommodation was 40 kms away, but the positive side was it gave us access to various trails. It was located on the edge of canyon and even gave us a viewpoint to watch the sunset.
The next morning while eating breakfast, there was a bang and Tico jumped up screaming. A monkey had leaped from the door onto the kitchen counter and ran off with our bananas. Tico chased after the monkey, but the bananas were gone. It was then that we realized that the sign on the door warning us of monkeys and baboons was there for a reason.
Blyde Canyon tree with huge thorns
We went back to the viewpoint where we’d had snacks the night before and started the Leopard Trail. We worked ourselves along the sides of the canyon stepping around thorny vines and dodging trees with thorns that looked like they were from the dinosaur age. As we moved, we got peeks of the other side through the tress. About halfway through the trail, we found the perfect viewpoint. The trees opened up and it felt like we were floating above the canyon. The river was flowing beneath us and the green valleys surrounded us. We took our time to soak in the view before moving on.
The trail continued down the side of the canyon until it met up with another trail. It led us to a small pool within the river, which we gladly jumped in. We weren’t prepared for the swim, but we hadn’t seen anyone all day so figured it didn’t matter. The trail continued on and we met the Lourie trail, that followed the river. We were transported from the sweltering heat of the canyon to a covered rainforest. There were little waterfalls and moss covered rocks at every corner. In the distance, 3 baboons walked past. Initially, this added to the excitement, but then we heard them hooting in anger. We waited for them to pass before continuing on.
Blyde Canyon Lourie Trail water pool
We finished the hike with a Tufa waterfall, which offered Tico another chance to cool off. We had expected to see someone by this point, but we managed to make it through roughly 10 kms of trails and not see a single person. Granted we did have another encounter with a baboon and this time we armed ourselves with tree branches in case it decided to come towards us. We had no choice, but to walk in its direction as that was the only way out.
It was time to say goodbye to this section of the canyon and move further South where the Blyde River starts. We got to the first viewpoint and noticed it was largely covered in a haze. It was then that we saw the flames below. This area of the country is home to pine and eucalyptus tree plantations. Someone was burning their land before the new trees would be planted and this caused a cloud of smoke that meant none of the viewpoints of the canyon, including God’s Window, wouldn’t be worth seeing.
Tico refreshing himself at a small waterfall
Our last stop before making the long drive to the Drakensberg Mountains was supposed to be Mac Mac Falls. We arrived 20 minutes after it closed and walked through the grass to see if we could get a view from outside. It was very tempting to jump the simple fence and make our way to the waterfalls, but decided against it. Seeing the time, we decided to stay another day in the area and get a few more views of waterfalls before leaving.
We were the first ones in the car park the next morning and even beat the man collecting entrance fees. The sun was shining in a way to create a rainbow in the mist of the waterfall and yet again we were all alone watching water crashing forcefully into the river below. On our way back to the car, we realized that there was a trail to the viewpoint from the road that we could have used and not actually trespassed. But because we’d stayed another night it meant we had time for one more hike in the area. We set out to find Forest Falls.
Forest Falls
Even though we didn’t know exactly where we were looking, we found the parking for the hike and started along another river. We worked our way through the tree plantations and back again alongside the river. The falls are wider rather than taller and offered a great swimming spot after a hot walk. So we found an almost hidden path to the right side of the falls and jumped in. It was a perfect ending spot for our adventures in and around the canyon.
Our rental car at Blyde Canyon area sunset
Don’t forget to see more of Tico’s pictures here.
Helpful tips:
- You don’t have to stay at Blyde Canyon Resort to hike the trails. They charge 155 Rand to access them or are free for guests. You can also pay for 1 and access them all.
- The trail head for Forest Falls is located in the “Green Picnic” park just after the railroad tracks before reachinMac MAc Falls if leaving from Graskop. This is the same parking for viewing the Maria Shires falls. Entrance fee is 10 Rand person.
- There are several trails between Sabie and Graskop and further North to explore the canyon and can be found here.