This morning, being the first one at Mogodi Lodge, I decided to attempt an early start and try and snap the sunrise through the gorge. So Uns and I woke early and headed down to the gate that leads to the Big Swing, but it was closed and locked for security reasons, which is fair enough. So instead we thought we'd head next door to the Graskop Falls car park and Edge Bar. We had managed to time it quite well too - no sooner we got there did the sky start to colour and the sun begin to peep up from behind the clouds.

After sunrise, we headed back to our Lodge for breakfast and to get ready for the day. The drive out from Graskop was beautiful, with the weaving roads surrounded by such a stunning landscape, which this area is well known for. Our first stop of the morning was at the Lisbon Falls which are 92m high - the highest waterfall in the area - and are declared a National monument. After the Lisbon Falls, we continued about 5km down the road to the Berlin Falls which are quite a bit smaller at 45m high, but maybe since you're quite a bit further away and looking at it from a different angle it doesn't seem to be only half the height. Still, both waterfalls and their surroundings just as impressive as each other in my opinion!

From the two falls we set off to Bourke's Luck Potholes, a good 30km away. This natural water feature marks the beginning of the Blyde River Canyon. Over time, the swirling whirlpools which occur as the Treur River plunges into the Blyde River, have caused sand and rock to grind huge, cylindrical potholes into the bedrock of the river, forming these potholes. They were named after a gold digger, Tom Burke, who staked a claim nearby. Although his claim did not produce a single ounce of gold, he correctly predicted that large gold deposits would be found in the area. After a good walk around there, we headed back to the car to grab some lunch as well as my tripod for a few long exposure shots of the overflowing water pools.

After the Potholes we continue north to the Lowveld Viewpoint which is a half-way stop over the canyon, and offers a stunning view of the Blyde River Canyon, the Blyde Dam and the Lowveld beyond. This is probably the most famous angle and photo of the Blyde River Canyon, and certainly for a good reason! Known as the largest green canyon in the world, the Blyde River Canyon is a 33km-long gorge that stretches from Bourke's Luck Potholes to the Three Rondavels near Blydepoort Dam.

From the Lowveld Viewpoint we continued a bit further north until the Three Rondavels Viewpoint, which are three well known gigantic peaks of quartzite and shale, with their sheer rock walls towering more than 700m above the surrounding landscape. These peaks are named after the three most troublesome wives of Chief Maripi Mashile, whoever he may be.

After walking around and admiring the Three Rondavels and the view in general, we hopped back in the car and made our way south towards the loop road with the three lookout points - Wonder View, God's Window and the Pinnacle. We first stopped off at Wonder View and then down at the Pinnacle - we figured we'd save God's Window for last and spend more time up there. Wonder View is about 2km north of God's Window and at an altitude of 1,730m it is the highest viewpoint in the area, where as the Pinnacle Rock is just south of God's Window and is a tower-like freestanding quartzite buttress which rises 30m above the dense indigenous forest below.

After the Pinnacle, we headed a couple of kilometers back north up to God's Window - which is definitely the busiest and most popular attraction in the area, with astonishing panoramic views over the Lowveld more than 900m below, as well as being able to see the Kruger Park and Mozambique over 100km away on a clear day. From the parking area a steep footpath along the edge of the escarpment and through the Rain Forest leads to the actual view site all the way up at the top. We stayed up there for some time, soaking up the view and only deciding to make our way back down once it started getting slightly dark.

Once back down at the parking, I quickly headed over the road and snapped a sunset photo before jumping in the car and heading home for a braai under the stars.