South Africa's Panorama Route is one of the country's most spectacular scenic drives and the perfect complement to a safari in Kruger National Park. Located in Mpumalanga province, this route winds through mountains, waterfalls, deep gorges and viewpoints with breathtaking views over the Blyde River Canyon.
🌿 Along the route, you will find iconic places such as Three Rondavels, Bourke’s Luck Potholes, God’s Window, Lisbon Falls and Berlin Falls. Each stop reveals a different aspect of South Africa's scenery and shows that a trip to the Kruger region offers much more than wildlife viewing.
🚙 Thanks to its proximity to the park, you can explore the Panorama Route on a full-day excursion from Hazyview or include it in a wider South Africa itinerary. Combining Cape Town, Kruger and the Panorama Route lets you enjoy coastal scenery, culture, large animals and some of the country's most impressive natural settings in a single trip.
In this guide, we explain what to see on the Panorama Route, how much time you need, the best route to take and how to combine it with a Kruger safari to make the most of every day of your trip.
🏞️ What Is the Panorama Route and Why Is It So Important?
South Africa's Panorama Route is one of the country's most important and spectacular nature routes. Located in Mpumalanga province, it crosses the Drakensberg escarpment and reveals the impressive Blyde River Canyon, considered one of the largest green canyons in the world because of its size and the abundant vegetation covering its slopes.
This extraordinary landscape formed over millions of years through the action of water and erosion on resistant layers of rock, mainly quartzite. The result is a collection of deep gorges, rock formations, waterfalls and natural viewpoints that make the area one of South Africa's major tourist attractions.
Along the route are iconic places such as Three Rondavels, Bourke’s Luck Potholes, God’s Window, Lisbon Falls, Berlin Falls and The Pinnacle. Each stop offers a different perspective on Mpumalanga's geological and scenic richness.
Its proximity to Kruger National Park makes it easy to combine a day among mountains, canyons and waterfalls with several days on safari, creating one of the country's most comprehensive and appealing itineraries.
Why Combine South Africa's Panorama Route with a Kruger Safari?
Combining Kruger National Park and the Panorama Route allows you to discover two of South Africa's great natural attractions in one trip. Although they are relatively close, they offer completely different and complementary experiences.
In Kruger, wildlife takes centre stage. During safaris in open 4×4 vehicles, travellers explore the savannah in search of elephants, rhinoceroses, buffalo, lions, leopards and many other species. The Panorama Route, meanwhile, impresses with its mountains, waterfalls, viewpoints and the spectacular scenery of the Blyde River Canyon. Discover also which animals you can see in Kruger National Park on safari.
📍 Hazyview is a strategic base for both activities. Its location provides access to different Kruger gates while also allowing a full-day excursion to the main sights along the Panorama Route.
If you are flying into Mpumalanga, also consult our guide to planning a Kruger safari from KMIA (Nelspruit).
Spending several days on safari and setting aside a day for this route adds greater variety to your itinerary. After exploring the park, the Panorama Route offers a change of scenery and a more relaxed pace, with time to walk, admire the views and discover another of South Africa's great natural wonders.
⛰️ Three Rondavels
Three Rondavels is one of the Panorama Route's most recognisable sights and an essential stop along the way. Its name comes from three large rock formations whose outlines resemble rondavels, the traditional round African dwellings with thatched roofs.
From the viewpoint, you can admire the walls of the Blyde River Canyon, the vegetation-covered mountains and the waters of the dam at the bottom of the valley. The combination of heights, colours and shapes makes this one of the best places to appreciate the canyon's scale.
Visibility can vary with mist and weather conditions. For this reason, our guide adjusts the order of visits whenever possible, seeking the best time to enjoy the scenery and take photographs.
🌿 Blyde River Canyon
The Blyde River Canyon is the main highlight of the Panorama Route and one of South Africa's most impressive natural landscapes. Its towering rock walls, deep gorges and vegetation-covered slopes create a setting of extraordinary beauty.
Unlike other large canyons with an arid appearance, the Blyde stands out for the intense green of its vegetation and the variety of landscapes along the route. The river has shaped the resistant rock formations of the Drakensberg escarpment, creating numerous natural viewpoints.
Three Rondavels and Lowveld View offer some of the best panoramas of the canyon and the dam at the bottom of the valley. You can also discover this landscape from the water on a boat trip, an experience included in our 10-day Cape Town and Kruger programme.
🌀 Bourke’s Luck Potholes
Bourke’s Luck Potholes is one of the most remarkable geological formations on South Africa's Panorama Route. It lies at the confluence of the Blyde and Treur rivers, whose currents have carved deep circular cavities into the rock.
The constant movement of water, together with sand and small stones carried by the rivers, gradually shaped these curious natural potholes. Their rounded walls and the different colours of the rock create a landscape quite different from that of the Blyde River Canyon's major viewpoints.
The visit follows paths, walkways and bridges built over the gorge, from which you can watch the water flowing among the formations. As well as its geological interest, it is an excellent place to walk and take photographs.
Its name is linked to the gold prospector Tom Bourke, who believed he would find significant deposits in this area, although he never discovered them.
🌄 God’s Window
God’s Window is one of the Panorama Route's best-known viewpoints. Located on the Drakensberg escarpment, it offers sweeping views over the Lowveld plains, which stretch towards Kruger National Park.
To reach the different viewing points, you need to follow a path with steps through a small area of moist forest. As you climb, several viewpoints reveal the contrast between the mountains and the vast lower-lying lands.
The experience depends largely on the weather. On clear days, the views extend a great distance; however, mist can considerably reduce visibility. For this reason, it is advisable to remain flexible about the order of visits along the Panorama Route.
💧 Lisbon Falls and Berlin Falls
Lisbon Falls and Berlin Falls are two of the Panorama Route's best-known waterfalls and are close to the town of Graskop. Both received their names during the gold-mining era, when numerous European prospectors arrived in this part of South Africa.
Lisbon Falls stands out for its width and the different cascades descending through the vegetation. From its viewpoint, you can admire a waterfall surrounded by mountains and forest.
According to South Africa's official tourism information, Lisbon Falls is the highest waterfall in Mpumalanga, with a drop of approximately 94 metres.
Berlin Falls has a narrower, more vertical shape, with water falling into a large pool between rock walls. Its viewpoint lets you observe the waterfall from an elevated position.
Water levels vary according to the season and rainfall. Visiting both lets you appreciate two different landscapes without straying too far from the main course of South Africa's Panorama Route.
🪨 The Pinnacle Rock
The Pinnacle Rock is a striking quartzite column rising above a deep, vegetation-covered valley near God’s Window. Its isolated, vertical shape stands out clearly among the surrounding mountain walls.
From the viewpoint, you can see this rock formation and part of the Drakensberg escarpment landscape. The visit is relatively short, making it easy to include on the drive between the waterfalls and the main viewpoints along the Panorama Route.
Although less well known than Three Rondavels or Bourke’s Luck Potholes, The Pinnacle helps you appreciate the geological variety of this part of Mpumalanga and offers a peaceful stop to enjoy the scenery and take photographs.
🏘️ Graskop
Graskop is a small town in Mpumalanga, strategically located for exploring the Panorama Route. Its proximity to God’s Window, The Pinnacle and several waterfalls makes it one of the area's main stopping points.
During a full-day excursion, Graskop is a suitable place to take a break and have lunch before continuing the tour. The town has restaurants, small shops and local craft outlets, and is also known for its traditional sweet and savoury pancakes.
It also serves as a base for travellers who want to explore the Panorama Route over more than one day. From Graskop, you can easily reach the main viewpoints before continuing towards Hazyview or Kruger National Park.
🧗 Graskop Gorge and Adventure Activities
A visit to Graskop Gorge is included in our Panorama Route tour. This spectacular gorge, located near the town of Graskop, combines impressive scenery with lush indigenous forest and different ways to admire the valley.
The complex has a panoramic lift that descends along the gorge wall into the forest. At the bottom, interpretive trails and walkways allow you to observe the vegetation, waterfall and rock formations. It also has several viewpoints and a suspension bridge with sweeping views over the surroundings.
Travellers seeking thrills can enjoy optional activities such as the zip line or the Big Swing. These experiences are subject to availability, weather conditions and possible age or weight restrictions.
In and around the Panorama Route region, other activities are also available, including rafting, quad biking, river tubing, horse riding, hiking, canyoning, abseiling and scenic flights. These experiences can be added as optional activities to a personalised itinerary.
🚐 Recommended One-Day Panorama Route Itinerary
The Panorama Route can be explored on a full-day excursion from Hazyview, one of the best bases for combining this route with several days on safari in Kruger National Park.
After breakfast, the guide will collect travellers from their accommodation to begin the tour through Mpumalanga province. The itinerary includes the main landscapes of the Blyde River Canyon, with stops at Three Rondavels and Bourke’s Luck Potholes, two of the route's most representative places.
During the day, you will also visit God’s Window, The Pinnacle, Lisbon Falls and Berlin Falls. There will be a stop for lunch and a rest before continuing to Graskop Gorge, where you can admire the gorge and discover one of the area's most outstanding visitor attractions.
The order of visits may vary according to the accommodation's location, weather conditions, visibility and visitor numbers. This flexibility makes it possible to use the day more effectively and find the best moment to enjoy the viewpoints.
At the end of the excursion, return to the accommodation in Hazyview, where travellers can rest before continuing their itinerary through South Africa.
☀️ Best Time to Visit the Panorama Route and Travel Tips
South Africa's Panorama Route can be visited throughout the year, although the landscape changes with the seasons. Between May and September, rain is less frequent and visibility at the viewpoints is usually better. Mornings can be cold, so we recommend bringing warm clothing.
From October to April, temperatures are higher, the vegetation is a vibrant green and the waterfalls usually carry more water. However, there is also a greater chance of rain, cloud or mist, especially in higher areas such as God’s Window.
👟 Wear comfortable footwear and bring a light jacket, sun protection, a hat or cap, water and a camera. The weather can change along the route, so we recommend dressing in layers.
Whenever possible, the guide will adjust the order of visits according to visibility and weather conditions.
✈️ How to Combine Cape Town, Kruger and the Panorama Route
Combining Cape Town, Kruger and the Panorama Route allows you to discover some of South Africa's most representative places in a single trip. Elephant Safaris Africa offers two private itineraries designed to make good use of your time and simplify all transfers.
🌊 The 8-day, 7-night Cape Town, Kruger and Panorama Route programme includes Cape Town's main sights, safaris in an open 4×4 vehicle in Kruger National Park and a full Panorama Route excursion. It is a balanced option for those who want to combine city, coast, wildlife and scenery without taking an overly long trip.
🦁 The 10-day, 9-night Cape Town, Kruger and Panorama Route programme offers more days on safari and includes additional experiences such as a visit to the Hoedspruit Endangered Species Centre (HESC) and a boat trip through the Blyde River Canyon, as well as the full Panorama Route tour.
Both programmes include 4-star accommodation, private transfers and services organised from arrival in Cape Town to the final transfer to KMIA airport. The choice depends on the time available and the number of experiences each traveller wishes to include.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions About the Panorama Route
Can You Explore the Panorama Route in a Single Day?
Yes. A full-day excursion from Hazyview allows you to visit the route's main viewpoints, waterfalls and geological formations.
Is the Panorama Route Close to Kruger National Park?
Yes. Its proximity to Kruger allows you to combine several days on safari with a day dedicated to discovering the Blyde River Canyon and Mpumalanga's scenery.
What Are the Must-See Places on the Panorama Route?
The main sights are Three Rondavels, Blyde River Canyon, Bourke’s Luck Potholes, God’s Window, Lisbon Falls, Berlin Falls, The Pinnacle and Graskop Gorge.
Is the Panorama Route Included in Elephant Safaris Africa's Programmes?
Yes. The full-day Panorama Route excursion is included in our 8- and 10-day Cape Town and Kruger programmes.
🌍 Discover the Panorama Route with Elephant Safaris Africa
South Africa's Panorama Route is the perfect complement to a Kruger safari. Its canyons, waterfalls, viewpoints and rock formations reveal a different side of Mpumalanga and enrich any trip through this part of the country.
Our 8- and 10-day Cape Town and Kruger programmes combine safaris, scenery, culture and carefully selected accommodation, with private transfers and arrangements tailored to each traveller.
🦁 Would You Like to Enjoy This Experience?
Contact Elephant Safaris Africa to check availability and plan an unforgettable trip through Cape Town, Kruger and the Panorama Route.
