Blyde River
Location: South Africa, Near Graskop along the Panorama Route
The Blyde River cuts a deep canyon into the heart of the Drakensberg Mountains, forming the north-eastern part of the Great Escarpment. Rafting trips on the Blyde River take boaters through the third-deepest canyon in the world, located between Graskop and Hoedspruit.
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Level of Difficulty: Class IV / Intermediate
Not to be out-matched by the immensity of their surroundings, the rapids on the Blyde River rage with an enticing level of intensity. The canyon is narrow for the amount of water pushing through it, causing a series of rapids that drop quickly and steeply, with plenty of holes and whitewater to navigate through. The run starts out slowly, gradually building to bigger and bigger rapids before the river empties out into Blyde Dam.
Scenery: Unspoiled wilderness in a Deep Canyon
The canyon walls tower overhead and every once in a while hippos emerge from the waters.
Season: Year-round
One day and overnight trips are available all year on the Blyde River.
