The Panorama Route Ultimate Travel Guide

This Panorama Route Ultimate Travel Guide is your resource for all the sights, hikes, activities, and lodgings!

The Panorama Route is a 160km scenic route in the province of Mpumalanga. Mpumalanga means “east” or more poetically “Place of the Rising Sun” in Zulu. This aptly named eastern province in South Africa is full of culture and beauty.

The route runs along Blyde River Canyon, a hub for hiking, waterfall viewing, and adventuring. It is a 26km long canyon, making it one of the longest in the world. It is also the greenest. The Blyde River runs at the center of the canyon and hosts most of the main attractions along the Panorama route. The canyon is home to plenty of wildlife including crocodiles, hippos, baboons, monkeys, antelope, and countless bird species.

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Map

The Panorama Route beings at Long Tom Pass and ends around Echo Caves.

Getting There

You can fly to Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport.

The Panorama Route is about a 4.5-hour drive from Johannesburg.

Blyde River Canyon adventures and the Panorama route can be done en route from Johannesburg to the popular safari destination, Kruger National Park.

The Panorama Route Guide

What is the route like?

Almost all of the destinations require little physical excursion as the parking lots are set up as close to the viewpoints as possible. However, you should plan to add some time for hikes and adventures in the area.

How long does it take and what should I do?

You can visit almost all the viewpoints and geological features along the main portion of the Panorama Route (Graskop to The Three Rondavels) in a single day if you take a “drive in-take a pic-drive out” mentality.

You can have a wonderful long weekend or week along the Panorama route. Check out my 3-day, 5-day, and 9-day itinerary suggestions.

What does it cost?

Each viewpoint costs between R10-R30 per person. Bring cash with you as sometimes the card machines will not work.

Lodging options vary from basic accommodation all the way to luxury catered or self-catering options.

Plan to fill up your gas tank a couple of times, depending on how long you stay.

Spend what you like on food, especially if you do self-catering.  

Where to start? 

You can choose to start your Panorama Route at the northern point (around Echo caves and Three Rondavels) or the southern point (around Graskop and Sabie). We did a loop, starting at Graskop, heading to Hoedspruit, then ending around Sabie. This was done mainly because of the availability at the lodgings we wanted to stay at.

Where should I stay?

Sabie, Graskop, and Hoedspruit. You can choose one lodging or spread out your stay in different areas (as we did) to explore as much as possible!

When should I go?

To avoid rainy days, head to Blyde River Canyon in the dry season (June-August). However, there isn’t as much greenery as it will be in the rainy season. We visited in August and while the canyon was green (thanks to the South African Pine lumber industry), I’d recommend visiting August-November for some greenery.

Viewpoints and stops along the Panorama Route

Note: “Started from the bottom…” I’m listing the viewpoints and features starting from the southern end of the Panorama Route in Sabie. Almost all the views require payment. Again, I highly suggest bringing cash with you. Additionally, almost all the stops had clean bathrooms (with toilet paper!).

The beginning

We didn’t make it this far down south.

Long Tom Pass— this is the first viewpoint on the Panorama Route. However, if you’re driving from Joburg to Sabie for your first night, then I recommend taking the Long Tom Pass route.

Sudwala Caves and Dinosaur Park — natural cavern system and dinosaur-themed park for kids.

Sabie Sights

Plan on about 1.5 hours to see all the falls around Sabie. It takes 15 minutes to drive between the waterfalls, and you’ll want around 5 min at each of the sites.

Horse Shoe Falls— a small waterfall in the shape of a horseshoe. Seems a little small for taking a dip (plus there is a storm drain leading into the water), so I wouldn’t recommend swimming. No hikes around. R10/pp

Lone Creek Falls — One of the popular waterfalls along the Panorama Route. The water plummets down 70m. In Aug 2021, there were signs that said no swimming. A small route will take you to a viewpoint of the falls. No major hikes around, though the (multi-day) Fanie Botha trail is nearby. R20/pp

Bridal Veil Falls— another popular waterfall. Water flows slowly to Bridal Veil Falls, giving the illusion of a… bridal veil. R20/pp

Sabie Falls— a small waterfall in Sabie.

Graskop Sights

Mac Mac Falls—a 65m waterfall that flows from the Mac Mac River. The waterfall looks magnificent, but we visited in the dry season so the water wasn’t as dramatic in the pictures I saw online… R20/pp

Mac Mac Pools— swimming pools along the Mac Mac River with plenty of picnic spots. Again, not as thrilling in the dry season. However, do the 3km Secretary Bird trail here. R30/pp

Forest Falls— choose to drive or hike 4km to Forest Falls. The hike goes along the Mac Mac River and leads to this short but lovely waterfall. You can easily swim here. R30/pp

The Panorama Route

Pinnacle Rock—a 30m quartzite rock that sticks out from the ground. This is a quick site to see. R10/pp

God’s Window—accessible trails will take you to the viewpoint of Blyde River Canyon. Some of the most popular Instagram pics of Blyde River Canyon are from here. The earlier you get here, the better the experience due to this location’s popularity! However, photographers may find the afternoon better lighting. R10/pp

Hazy views at 8 am

Lisbon Falls—a 94m waterfall that cascades down from the Blyde River. Hike down to the river for more spectacular views of the falls. It takes about 10 min to hike down, and 20ish to hike back up. R10/pp

Berlin Falls—view the waterfall from the observation deck and peace out. R15/pp

Bourke’s Luck Potholes— naturally forming “potholes” made by water swirling around the red sandstone where the Blyde River and the Treur River meet. The potholes are named after Tom Bourke. In the 1880s, he attempted gold mining in the area but never found it… Unfortunately for him, several others did find gold just south of where he had mined. The Belvedere day hike starts here. R30/pp + more for hiking

Three Rondavels Viewpoint—stop here to see the three pinnacles of rock in Blyde River Canyon. The Three Rondavels are named for the native huts called rondavels. Don’t visit this viewpoint if you’re going on the Leopard-Guinea Fowl-Tufa Trail as you’ll have similar views there! R30/pp

This view is from the Leopard-Guinea Fowl-Tufa Trail

Tufa Waterfall— hike at Blyde River Canyon Forever Resort to see this small and lovely waterfall. Although you can swim here, the water is icy. Hike the Leopard-Guinea Fowl-Tufa Trail to see this as well as 2 small swimming holes and amazing views of the canyon.  R50/pp

The end

We didn’t stop here.

Echo Caves—take a guided tour of the stalactite and stalagmite formations.

Hikes around the Panorama Route

There are wonderful hikes in Blyde River Canyon. Check out my post on the top 5 hikes in the area. Additionally, I highly recommend the Leopard-Guinea Fowl-Tufa Trail, the Belvedere Day Hike, and the Hippo Trail to complete your Panorama Route Guide research.

Where to Eat and Drink

This area is obsessed with pancakes?? The number of places that claimed to have the best pancakes in the world deterred me from trying out any of them.

We didn’t try out all of these spots in the Panorama Route Guide. However, I’ve included the restaurants, cafes, and drink spots that we considered each evening.

Tips

Veggie lovers should plan ahead. Unfortunately, we didn’t find a lot of exciting veg options. Plan to do some veggie braais or pasta nights. Just remember that you’re here for the views and not the food (if you’re a vegetarian or vegan), so you don’t get too disappointed.

There were no bakeries in Graskop or Sabie. The bread options at the SPAR in Graskop were okay but nothing special. We’ve gotten used to small towns having really unique bakeries with excellent bread so this was a little bit of a letdown. Instead, I bought flour and made rotis for sandwich wraps. YES—rotis are v easy to make in a pinch. All you need is flour, salt, and oil.

Driving note: Usually, I don’t like to drive for dinner in the evening because of the dark roads and potholes but it felt safe to drive at night in these towns.

Sabie

Shiloh Coffee Shop — Stop for brunch or lunch at this cute coffee roastery between Sabie and Hazyview. They also have fresh ginger and turmeric products available.

Sabie Brewing Co.—get a drink or get some beers to take away.

Illy Bookshop—head here for a pastry and book browsing.

The Wild Fig Tree— this looked like a cool spot for local-style food. Check out the “African” shop next to it for souvenirs, including some Swazi Candles and Ngwenya Glass.

Petena Pancakes—pancakes, pancakes, and pancakes.

Tanks Bush Pub—a bush-style bar with bar-style food, closer to Hazyview than Sabie. Any burger can be made into a veggie Burger thanks to Fry’s (a popular plant-based meat substitute company)! We got the nachos and a Mexican-style burger with a great enchilada sauce.

Graskop

Panorama Chalets — wonderful views of Blyde River Canyon. Reliable veggie dinner options are the veg pizza or veg burger, but it wasn’t anything spectacular. We only ate half the pizza… There is a veggie platter and some veg sides. Definitely get a drink and enjoy the sunsetting. A year after Wilhelm and I visited, I took my sister here and we really enjoyed the dinner and the vibe. We stayed 2 nights.

Harrie’s Pancakes—the original restaurant that started the pancake hype.

Cafe M Bistro—this looked like a good breakfast option, but we brought our own yogurt so we didn’t go.

Canimambo  Restaurant—for fish and meat lovers, this sounds like a good option for Portuguese food.

Pilgrim’s Rest

The Stables — we really wanted to eat here but we came too late in the day. The pancakes are supposed to be really great here.

Pilgrim’s Pantry — a small cafe with good-looking pastries. Check out the pottery store next door, Ponieskrantz Arts and Crafts.

The Vine— an old-timey bar and restaurant. I think we were the only people who didn’t arrive on motorcycles. There were 2 vegetarian dishes: fries and a salad. Get a drink here and enjoy the quirky vibe.

Hoedspruit

The Hat & Creek— a favorite for locals and visitors alike. This is more of a fancy restaurant. The pasta dishes are good.

Kassava Cafe—an excellent cafe for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. They focus on integrating Kassava into each of the meals. Great coffee is offered too. This was my favorite meal of our trip!

Hoedspruit Coffee Purveyors—tasty, locally roasted coffee is here. No food. Get a cup of coffee on your way out of town and buy some beans. They also sell coffee sacks for your home DIY activities—I made balcony wall hangings!

Hoedspruit Brew Co. — get a drink here. Typical pub food is available.

Aerotel—if you’re in luck (Wednesday- Saturday), Aerotel, an aviator boutique hotel, is open to the public. Make a reservation via phone and get sundowners here.

Sleepers Railway Station—head here for dinner in an old railway station. The pasta dishes are okay but go for the vibes because you’re too tired to make your own food.

Things to do around the Panorama Route

If you manage to make it here in the Panorama Route Guide, congrats! That means you’re done with hiking, sightseeing, and eating so you’ve probably just got an hour left in your day…

Graskop

• Head to Pilgrim’s Rest—this town was founded in the 1870s at the time of the region’s gold rush. It’s got an old western feel to it and has some restaurants and a museum to spend the afternoon at.

• Go ziplining and walk on a suspension bridge at Graskop Gorge Lift.
• Stop at Africa Silks and visit their silk farm. You’ll learn about the astonishing silk-making processes.

• Check out the Natural Bridge just outside town.

Sabie

• Take a self-guided town walking tour.

• Visit the Illy Bookshop and tourist souvenir shop.

Hoedspruit

• Take a day trip to Kruger National Park. The park is a mere 45 minutes away and you can do your own self-driving safari.
• If you’re staying in Hoedspruit, you can go on a tour of Blyde River Canyon so you don’t need to drive around yourself.
• Visit the Glencoe Baobab Tree. We didn’t realize there was a baobab tree around here until a read a book about baobabs while staying at Timamoon Lodge. We missed it! There is some conflicting information about “opening times,” but I would recommend driving up and then taking a peek through the fence.
• Visit Hippo Jessica, a famous hippo rescued by humans as a baby in Hoedspruit.
• Check out the Hoedspruit Endangered Species Centre.

Hazyview

If you just want to stay in one town during your Panorama Route Adventure, you can stay in Hazyview and take tours along the route. Check out this popular tour from Hazyview, which include God’s Window, Wonder View, the Three Rondawels, Bourke’s Luck Potholes, and two towns. Or, go on this tour which includes a boat ride in Blyde River Canyon

Where to stay along the Panorama Route

There are plenty of lodging options all around the Panorama Route and it may be hard for you to choose! Think about how close you want to be to a city and what hikes you want to do. That being said, most places are within a 30 min drive of each other.

Graskop

Zur Alten Mine Guest Farm B&B— a beautiful, self-catering lodge outside of Graskop. Lodges are self-catering and include a braai. Some lodges overlook a pond. We stayed here and loved it!

Panorama Chalets — Stay here for great views of the canyon and to swim in the rock, and infinity pool overlooking the canyon. It’s beautiful! there is also a restaurant on site but most of the chalets are self-catering and include a braai. My sister and I stayed in a self-catering chalet for 2 nights and really enjoyed the pool and then the restaurant.

Treur River Lodge — If you’re looking for something off the grid (no wifi or cell service), then this is the spot for you. Full kitchens don’t seem to be available in the rooms but there is a restaurant, the Chubby Pig, on-site (be warned that veggie peeps won’t find a lot to eat here though). The lodge is next to the Treur River so you’ll have great views and maybe take a dip!

Blyde Canyon, A Forever Resort — For more of a resort-type feel, stay here. Many of the rooms have kitchens and braais. Many different hikes start off at the Blyde Canyon Forever Resort (including the Leopard-Guinea Fowl-Tufa Trail that we did). The views of the Three Rovandels are also amazing from here. If you don’t want to drive a lot between sites and food and hiking, then this is a great option for you.

Sabie

Timamoon Lodge — I don’t even want to offer any other options for Sabie because this is the most amazing hotel I’ve ever been to in my life. Each suite contains artifacts that the owners have collected from all over the world. We stayed in the Bali Moon Room. It’s totally worth the splurge as breakfast and dinner are included and are super delicious. Check out my full review of the lodge.

Hoedspruit

Kruger Cliffs Lodge— Self-catering lodge 15 min outside of Hoedspruit. The road is well maintained and though it is pitch black at night, the road feels safe to drive at night. This is unlike many other areas we’ve been to where it feels too dangerous to drive at night because of winding roads and potholes.

Wohoo! You made it to the end of the Panorama Route Ultimate Guide!