How to enjoy Blyde River Canyon without a car?

WH L.

@HAANSelangor, Malaysia

How to enjoy Blyde River Canyon without a car?

Hi fellow couchsurfer,

I read about Blyde River Canyon and saw some photos from my friends. Truly interested to see how breathtaking it is with my own eyes. However, I'm not renting a car and do self-drive in South Africa. I can only rely on public transport (or minibus/minivan) to go around. Anyone can advice on any other possibility to enjoy this area? For example, any small town should be the base to explore the Blyde River Canyon region?

Thanks!! :)

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Chandre W.

@chandre4378130Randburg, Gauteng, Südafrika

The best small town in the area is Graskop. I think there are people in the area who may offer tours. Graskop is right next to God's window. It is a very beautiful area with much historical interest as well.

Andile M.

@andileJohannesburg, Gauteng, Südafrika

There are tours for R900 to R1000 but it would be best if you can get someone who rented or has a car so that you will truly enjoy it .

Bee R.

@bee-retiefJohannesburg, Gauteng, Südafrika

There is a 3 day hike in the Blyde River Canyon that is absolutely lovely. You hike from one (rustic) hut to hut, so you don't have to carry a tent, but you do need a backpack to carry clothes and food and cooking utensils. The hike is not overly strenuous and there are tons of places to swim along the route. It does not offer much shade though so sunscreen is essential and a thin cloth to wrap around your head and shoulders (that you can wet in the streams) is very helpful. The hike ends at the Potholes, and you can get a taxi from the potholes to the start of the hike (just not on Sundays!)

Lillian M.

@lillian-maboyaKapstadt, Westkap, Südafrika

I would recommend a car because there is no public transport in the are itself.

Ani V.

@ani-vermeulenCenturion, Gauteng, Südafrika

Hi there

South Africa is a difficult country to see using public transportation. Our infrastructure for this is not very good, so a private vehicle is really extremely useful and tends to work out the cheapest, too.

If you really can't rent your own vehicle and drive yourself, then your best option is to book a tour with a certified tour operator who will then have a vehicle. This will cost you more, but then you won't have to worry about driving yourself around. Just make sure that the tour operator provides you with all the pick-ups and transfers you will need for your entire stay, from landing in Johannesburg (most likely) to getting between the various attractions and your accommodation, as well as getting food. We are a very geographically expansive country, so it is common to not be able to walk to a nearby shop to buy groceries or restaurant to eat dinner.

You can look into the bus lines (luxury coaches) between cities, such as InterCape or City2City, or even the Baz Bus, but I recommend that you stay away from minibus taxis or public buses. They are usually overcrowded, unroadworthy and unsafe for tourists.

TallRichard E.

@GenghisKelvinJohannesburg, Gauteng, Südafrika

Rent a car of course, in South Africa if you do not have wheels you are a cripple as there is little public transport

Douw S.

@douw-steynRandburg, Gauteng, Südafrika

If you cant rent a car take a tour group minibus (Kombi over here) from Johannesburg to Blyde River. Or check out this site https://www.rome2rio.com/s/Johannesburg/Graskop. Hoedspruit is about an hour and a half away and one of my favourite parts with a stunning view of the Drakensberg mountain. Our friend Robin from Perth Australia loved it more than Cape Town.