Bourke’s Luck Potholes – South Africa

After visiting God’s Window in the Blyde River Nature Reserve Joan and I stopped at this most amazing geologic wonder, Bourke’s Luck Potholes.

Read about the interesting cultural history at Joan’s site here.

Named after Thomas Bourke who was involved in gold mining in the area.

Where the Blyde River (“river of joy”) and the Treur River (“river of sorrow”) meet, thousands of years of whirling soil-laden water carved surreal cylindrical rock sculptures.

This left behind a series of dark pools which contrast with the streaked white and yellow lichen covered rocks. The pools looked rather inviting for a place to soak but a long ways down with fast moving water.

We wandered around for a bit but had more places to visit that day, like the Three Rondawels.