Blyde River Canyon

South Africa's most incredible scenery.

The Blyde River Canyon in the worlds Third largest Canyon and the largest “moist” Canyon in the world. It is also one of the most visited sites in South Africa and a “must see” destination with sites like the Three Rondavels, God’s Window, Bourke’s Luck Potholes and several striking and scenic waterfalls. This, believe it or not is but a very small part of what the Canyon offers.

We are based on the slopes of the highest peaks of the Canyon and though the years have “discovered” a wide array of exciting and enchanting corners of the canyon. It is here that we prefer to spend our days.

View from Littlebush Private Lodge. The Canyon slopes can be seen in the background. 

Few venture off the beaten track and one literally has the entire Canyon to yourself when seeking out the hidden corners. It offers a wide variety of activities from the very adventurous to the tranquil. Interestingly, as one ascends the mountain the vegetation changes as you gain altitude.  The vegetation gradually  changes from typical lowveld bushveld of acacias and combretum woodland to evergreen forests and eventually Alpine Fynbos. Each biome hosts its own suite of birds and animals. 

The area offers unique images for Landscape Photographers. 

Landscape photographers have endless opportunities. Climatic conditions vary enormously and the mountain weather is continually changing, creating dynamic photographic opportunities. The views are of the best in Africa and the rugged mountainscape produces endless options for striking images. Closed forest canopies allows for photography throughout the course of the day as the dappled light kisses the forest floor.

Hiking trails snake into the belly of the forests where you stand a chance of catching a glimpse of the rare and endangered Samango monkeys or the secretive Red Duiker antelope. Interestingly we have seen Caracal on a few occasions. Birdlife is equally absorbing with the likes of Crowned Eagle, Narina Trogon, Black-fronted bushshrike, Knysna and Purple-crested Turaco’s, Blue-mantled Crested Flycatcher and host of other birds make their home. Forest birding is of course challenging with birds more often heard than seen but the reward is great when eventually catching up with them.

Klipspringer Pair in the high altitude mountains. 

In the higher lying Fynbos regions Klipspringer are often seen while Guerney’s Grassbird as well as Malachite, Amethyst and Greater Double-collared sunbirds feed on the Aloes and Proteas.

We venture right into the belly of the Canyon to the banks of the fast flowing Blyde river. Swing from a ropeswing into the river or explore the depths of a limestone cave.

All our activities are hosted on a fully exclusive base. You have a private vehicle and guide throughout your stay. We do of course recommend the timing and duration of all activities but it can be tailored exactly to your requirements and pace. We are strategically situated within 30 minutes of the Eastgate airport and combine the Blyde adventures easily with any of the private lodges in the Timbavati, Klaserie, Sabie Sands or Kruger National Park.

And should your safari include Cape Town or Victoria Falls we are only 2.5 hours from Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport in Nelspruit, which has daily connecting flights to both Cape Town, and Livingstone in Zambia.