The Blyde River Canyon known officially known as the' Motlatse Canyon'-
- The Motlatse Canyon is one of the largest canyons on Earth, although smaller than iconic canyons like the Grand Canyon and the Fish River Canyon.
- Unlike the arid landscapes of the Grand and Fish River Canyons, the Blyde River (Motlatse River) Canyon is a “green canyon” characterized by lush subtropical vegetation.
- It forms part of the Blyde River Canyon Nature Reserve and is a popular stop along the Panorama Route.
It is considered one of the largest canyons on Earth and may be the largest ‘green canyon’ - it has a particularly lush subtropical covering. The fresh Mountain scenery and panoramic views over the Klein Drakensberg Escarpment are quite spectacular and give the Area its name of 'Panorama Route'. The scenic beauty of the 'Blyde River Canyon', is renowned throughout the Province of Mpumalanga, for the spectacular views with the perfect: "Viewing Post", provided .
The 'Pinnacle' is a single quartzite column rising out of the deep wooded canyon and the ‘Three Rondavels' (also called 'Three Sisters’) are three huge spirals of dolomite rock rising out of the far wall of the Blyde River canyon. At the meeting point of the Blyde River- (river of joy) and the Treur River (river of sorrow) water erosion has created one of the most phenomenal geological phenomenon in South Africa. The ‘Bourke’s Luck Potholes’ have taken thousands of Years to form strange cylindrical sculptures carved by swirling water! The Geology and Climate of this high rainfall Plateau results in masses of Waterfalls. Other trees are hidden deep within some of the largest man-made Forestry Plantations in the World, with row upon row of Pine and Eucalyptus Trees.
The rich and varied plant life is influenced by extreme Climate, a range of altitudes and various soil conditions. This variety of plant life supports an equally rich and varied fauna. The Grassland, supports Grey Rhebuck and the rare Oribi as well as rodents, reptiles, seed-eating birds and plenty of insects. Kudu prefer the cover of wooded bushveld and bushbuck and bushpig move amongst the luxuriant growth on the Riverbanks.
All five of South Africa's Primates can be see in the The Blyde River Canyon Nature Reserve: 'the Somango Monkey; the nocturnal greater and lesser Bushbabies; Chacma Baboons and Vervet Monkeys', are all present in this Region.
Hippopotamus and Crocodile live in and around the rivers and wetlands of Swadini Dam, as do waterbirds and otters. Almost every type of habitat that attracts birds is found in the The Blyde River Canyon Nature Reserve and all three South African species of Loerie can be found in the Reserve.