Mpumalanga Panorama Route

Must-visit sites along the Panorama Route include Bourke's Luck Potholes, The Pinnacle, and God’s Window, which affords views across to Mozambique. The Blyde River Canyon, the third-largest canyon in the world, is the highlight for most travelers, and the view over the Three Rondavels is unmissable. There is also a trio of impressive waterfalls—Mac Mac Falls, Berlin Falls, and Lisbon Falls.

In addition to admiring the views and filling up your Instagram feed, there are also plenty of opportunities for hiking and wildlife-watching, or you can dive into gold rush history in the old mining towns of Pilgrim’s Rest and Graskop. It’s possible to take in the highlights on a day trip, but most tours take 2 to 3 days, often combining it with a visit to the nearby Kruger National Park.

• There is no public transport along the Panorama Route, so you’ll need to hire a car or join a tour.
• There are admission fees for some of the viewpoints along the way; others are free.
• Wear comfortable shoes suitable for walking over uneven surfaces, and bring sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat, and plenty of water, as most of the attractions are outdoors.

Most visitors start the Panorama Route at Graskop and follow it north to the Blyde River Canyon. The closest international airport is in Johannesburg, from where it’s about a 4-hour drive to Graskop. Alternatively, you can fly from Johannesburg to the Kruger National Park, about an hour’s drive from Hoedspruit at the northern end of the Panorama Route.

The winter months of June through August are the most popular time to drive the Panorama Route, when the weather is typically cooler and drier. Expect large crowds at popular viewpoints, especially on weekends and during school holidays. Low season travel (November to February) has the advantage of fewer crowds and cheaper flights and accommodations, but the rainy, misty weather can impact visibility at the viewpoints. The waterfalls, however, will be at their most powerful.

Many travelers driving the Panorama Route combine it with wildlife-watching in one of the many parks and reserves along the way. Kruger National Park is the undisputed headline act, one of Africa’s largest game reserves and home to the Big Five. There’s also the adjoining Sabi Sands Game Reserve, as well as Gustav Klingbiel Nature Reserve, a favorite for bird-watchers, and the Mount Sheba and Ohrigstad Dam nature reserves near Pilgrim’s Rest.