A scenic wonder for all to encounter
The Blyderivierspoort Dam is situated in Mpumalanga and was opened in 1974. It is an archgravity dam that is 71 metres in height and 240 metres in length, holding a total capacity of 54 050 000 m³ and it has a surface area of 240 ha.
If it’s time away with the family you need, then the Blyde River offers many opportunities for accommodation as well as a variety of outdoor activities. The Blyde River canyon is the third largest canyon in the world and offers some amazing sightseeing for those taking the open boat trips up the river canyon. The lush subtropical foliage that lines the banks of the river is an amazing sight to see. There is an abundance of wildlife in the area and if that’s not enough, the Kadishi Tufa Waterfall will impress sightseers with its 200 metre height. It is the second tallest tufa waterfall in the world. It is sometimes referred to as the ‘the weeping face of nature’ as the formation resembles a crying face. Boat trips cost approximately R90 for children and R150 for adults.
There is also some excellent kloofing, fishing, mountain biking, rafting and abseiling for those with adventure coursing through their veins. The trail at Strijdom tunnel will lead you to some of the most glorious nature escapes or you can explore the caves as you meander through the streams that lead to the Tufa Waterfall. Take the plunge into some of the deep waterholes that can be found in the canyon.
If a scenic drive is what you and the family are after, then climb into your car and take a slow drive along the 60 km Panorama Route of the canyon. Take ‘padkos’ along with you because you will definitely want to stop along the way at God’s Window, The Pinnacle or The Three Rondawels lookout points for a snack and some sightseeing.
There are various resorts and accommodation options in the Blyde River area to suit small and large groups. Coordinates: 24°32’15”S 30°47’20”