If you were looking for a lost world, the Blyde River Canyon would be a perfect fit. The 35-mile long, 30 000 hectare, Blyde River Canyon Nature Reserve is the largest green canyon in the world, the 2nd largest canyon in Africa and the 3rd largest on earth. It has some of the deepest precipitous cliffs of any canyon on the planet. Sheer cliffs plunge over 3000 feet to the valley below. From this nearly unbroken rampart of cliffs it feels as if one can see forever. It’s not surprising then that one of the most famous views is called God’s Window. It’s possible to see over the Kruger National Park towards the Lebombo Mountains on the border with Mozambique. On a clear day, you can see as far as the Indian Ocean 215 miles away.

The canyon hosts the world’s highest cable gorge swing - freefalling 230 feet at 87 mph in under 3 seconds. Once in the valley, it’s 400 steps back to the top, but for a moment you’d be forgiven for thinking you could hear angels!

There are a number of iconic landforms in the canyon, from the Three Rondavels, the Weeping Face of Nature, Bourke’s Luck Potholes to Pinnacle Rock, not to mention the highest concentration of waterfalls in the regions, one of which is Lisbon Falls.

Its southerly position is what gives the canyon its green fame. Among the lush subtropical foliage, a large diversity of life dwells in and under the canopy, and in its rivers, including numerous fish, antelope species, hippos and crocodiles. Every species of primate in South Africa calls this place home.

Numerous species of birds, from black eagles to rock kestrels, bald ibis to white-faced owls, golden-tailed woodpeckers to malachite sunbirds enjoy the forested landscape and the vast open skies above the canyon floor.

If you have an adventurous spirit, a love of nature or are a keen photographer, Blyde River Canyon will be a feast of joy