The magnificent Panorama Route is best known for its cultural heritage and its dramatic landscapes. Offering a vast array of exciting options for the visitor, the Panorama Route hosts some of the best adrenalin enhancing adventures as well as some more sedate pastimes.
One of the major highlights of the region is the Blyde River Canyon Reserve, home to spectacular wildlife and birdlife and some of the best views in South Africa. The Blyde River Canyon is the third largest canyon of its kind in the world.
Other highlights include the exquisite waterfalls in Graskop and Sabie, the Echo Caves that speak of Africa’s powerful tribes such as Pedi, Mapulane and Swazi, trails left behind by the Voortrekkers in regions such as Lydenberg and Ohrigstad, ancient artistic footprints left by indigenous peoples of Africa and the Gold Rush territory, Pilgrim’s Rest, home to the early gold prospectors.
For more info about the Panorama Route
• The Breathtaking Panorama Route
• Self-drive the Mpumalanga Escarpment Route
• Exploring the Panorama Route
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Destinations / Town & Suburbs of Panorama Route
Graskop
The natural wonders of Graskop are probably the most photographed and painted scenes in the world. Situated in the magnificent Mpumalanga Province, Graskop is ideally located in the heart of the tourism region
Hazyview
Hazyview is a town in South Africa’s Mpumalanga province which is ideally situated just a few kilometres outside the Kruger National Park. Hazyview derives its name from the summer haze that envelopes the low bush
Kiepersol
Kiepersol is a quaint little town found in the beautiful Lowveld in South Africa. Kiepersol is situated close to Hazyview and is very near the Numbi Gate of the Kruger National Park.
Ohrigstad
Ohrigstad is a quaint village and valley nestled in the foothills of the Drakensberg Mountains, close to the Blyde River Canyon, God’s Window and Potholes.
Pilgrims Rest
Pilgrim’s Rest is situated on the magnificent Panorama Route on the eastern Escarpment region of the Mpumalanga province of South Africa. The entire town of Pilgrim’s rest has been declared a national monument.
Sabie
Sabie is a tranquil and attractive malaria-free town situated in Mpumalanga in South Africa. Sabie lies in the centre of one of the largest man-made forests in the world.
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Featured and “Must See” Attractions in Panorama Route
The Abel Erasmus Pass
The pass is worth driving simply for the views of the Blyde River Canyon (Molatse Canyon), and the Drakensberg mountains. But there is also the 133 metre JG Strijdom Tunnel, though which the road passes part way along the Abel Erasmus Pass
Blyde River Canyon
The fresh mountain scenery and panoramic views over the Klein Drakensberg escarpment are quite spectacular and give the area its name of ‘Panorama Route’. Viewpoints are named for the spectacle they offer, and God’s Window and Wonder View hint at the magnitude of the scenery.
The Blyde River Nature Reserve
Blyde River Canyon Nature Reserve stretches for some 60km, its southerly reaches extending from just beyond the town of Graskop all the way north to the Abel Erasmus pass. The reserve’s remarkable biodiversity includes one of the last remaining montane grassland areas in the province
Bourke’s Luck Potholes
Bourke’s Luck Potholes are without doubt a major icon, but when thrown in together with the likes of the Three Rondawels, God’s Window, the Blyde River Canyon and numerous magnificent waterfalls, one can become immune after a while. If you can, begin your wander around Mpumalanga with Bourke’s
Luck Potholes
The Echo Caves
Situated just outside Ohrigstad are the spectacular Echo Caves. These mysterious caves were discovered in the 1920’s by the owner of the farm. After his cattle mysteriously disappeared on the farm he started looking for answers. That is when he discovered the Echo Caves.
Horse Shoe Falls
The exquisite Horseshoe Falls are found along the Sabie River in Mpumalanga. These falls are found 4kms off the Old Lydenburg Road, signposted on the left side. A short walk through the beautiful terrains affords one the opportunity to spot magnificent birdlife and other wildlife.
Ohrigstad Dam Nature Reserve
Lying between the town of Ohrigstad and the historical village of Pilgrim’s Rest in Mpumalanga, Ohrigstad Dam Nature Reserve is situated on the edge of the Greater Drakensberg Escarpment, 2 500 hectares of beautiful mountain scenery that surrounds the Ohrigstad dam
God’s Window
With magnificent views, canyons, rock formations and waterfalls, God’s Window is an area of breathtaking scenic splendour. It is no wonder that Mpumalanga is known as Paradise Country! Gods Window is so called for the panoramic view of the Lowveld more than 900 m down into lush indigenous forest
Gustav Klingbiel Nature Reserve
This has to be one of the most beautiful locations in the world. The reserve is 2200 hectares and the Klipgatspruit cuts the mountainous area into a deep valley. The main habitats include thornveld and bushveld on the low-lying areas, and montane grassland on hillsides and plateaus with protea
Kruger National Park
The largest game reserve in South Africa, the Kruger National Park is larger than Israel. Nearly 2 million hectares of land that stretch for 352 kilometres (20 000 square kilometres) from north to south along the Mozambique border, is given over to an almost indescribable wildlife experience.
Mac Mac Falls
Mpumalanga might be the land of the rising sun, but it’s also most definitely a place of waterfalls. The Sabie Waterfalls Route – Cinderella to the Blyde River Canyon and its incredible cliffs and views – is well worth taking time to do. And Mac Mac Falls is one of them. There are actually more waterfalls
Perry’s Bridge Reptile Park
Perry’s Bridge Reptile Park is conveniently located just 14kms from Phabeni gate and Numbi gate to Kruger National Park and on the panoramic route to Blyde River Canyon. This is an opportunity not to be missed when you visit the Lowveld. Species to view include: anacondas, reticulated pythons,
Phabeni Gate
Phabeni Gate is the closest entrance into the Kruger from Hazyview – just 10 kilometres. For those travelling to Kruger from Nelspruit for the day, Phabeni gate makes the already easy journey even simpler – you’re in the Kruger in just over an hour and a quarter. The gate was built as recently as
Pilgrims Rest Golf Course
This hidden gem outside the national monument town of Pilgrim’s Rest is a tranquil and forested nine hole, eighteen tee course. With its undulating fairways, and challenging layout, this will be more than just a stroll in the park. Tricky, well forested and surrounded by mountains,
Robber’s Pass
Pilgrim’s Rest alone has a rich history. Not only it is the birthplace of South Africa’s gold rush but there are more than a couple of stories about robbers to add to the allure of the pass. First is the Robber’s Grave, perched above the town, where a thief – banished and convicted for stealing a tent – was shot
Sabi Sands Game Reserve
The Sabi Sands Game Reserve is undoubtedly the most exclusive private game reserve in South Africa. The 65,000-hectare Sabi Sands Game Reserve is located on the south-western corner of the Kruger National Park. There are no restricting fences between the Kruger Park and Sabi Sands Reserve and the wildlife roams
Three Rondavels
Exactly as they sound, the Three Rondavels are three round mountain tops with slightly pointed tops, very similar to the traditional round or oval African homesteads made with local materials called rondavels. They are sometimes also called the Three Sisters
Mount Sheba Nature Reserve
Beautiful Mount Sheba Nature Reserve is extremely popular amongst bird lovers and is regarded as one of Mpumalanga’s premier forest-birding destinations. The reserve is privately owned, but is open to the public – many of whom use the particularly good series of walking trails to set their sights
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Featured Things To Do in Panorama Route
Self-drive the Escarpment Route
Where: Sabie. (This is a circular route starting and ending in Sabie)
How much (per person): R1 to R100
Take a little escape on the Escarpment Route, a specific section of the greater Panorama Route.
Hot Air Balloon Flights from Hazyview
Where: Hazyview
How much (per person): On Request
Balloon flights take place in the very early morning before the earth heats up. The launch site is in the beautiful Sabie River Valley
Elephant-Back Safari Where: Hazyview How much (per person): On Request There is something magical about swaying through the African bush on the back of an elephant. The 12 fully trained African elephants arrived
