The Blyde River Canyon is 20km long and includes the Blyderivierspoort Dam, which has a healthy Crocodile and Hippo population and wonderful birding opportunities.
There is an informative Visitors Centre overlooking the dam and 2 well equipped camps with chalets, restaurants and swimming pools.
Perhaps the most majestic landmarks in Blyde River Canyon Nature Reserve are the 3 conical shaped mountains in the north known as the Three Rondawels. Here several view sites offer panoramic vistas of the canyon, the river and the dam beyond.
Another must-see is the Bourke's Luck Potholes found at the confluence of the Blyde and Treur Rivers; these weird rock formations being formed over the millennia by the tumbling action of water, sand and stones.
Named after an early prospector, Tom Bourke, who allegedly discovered gold in the potholes, they are best viewed from the 2 cement footbridges, which span the confluence of the 2 rivers. Blyde River Canyon Nature Reserve is a drive of between 5 and 6 hours from Johannesburg.