Blyde River Canyon & Panorama Route Itinerary
Look no further for Blyde River Canyon and the Panorama Route Itinerary suggestions!
You can have a wonderful long weekend or week along the Panorama Route. We stayed 9 days around Blyde River Canyon and we didn’t even do all the hikes and adventures that were available. There is so much to see, do, and explore: check out the Panorama Route Ultimate Guide.
After taking some time to consider the highlights, I suggest a 3-day, 5-day, and 9-day itinerary so you don’t miss anything!
3-day Itinerary
A jam-packed itinerary! Plan on lots of hiking and early mornings to see the Panorama Route highlights around Graskop/Sabie.
Day 1
Leave Joburg early in the morning. Stop in Sabie and visit the waterfalls: Horse Shoe Falls, Lone Creek Falls, Bridal Veil Falls, and Sabie Falls. Get lunch in Sabie. Do the Forest Falls 4km hike. If you have time visit Mac Mac Pools and Mac Mac Falls.
Get a drink and (maybe) dinner at Panorama Chalets for the views. End your day at your lodging in Graskop or Sabie.
From left to right: Bridal Veil Falls, Horse Shoe Falls, and Lone Creek Falls.
Day 2
Do the Belvedere Day Hike early in the morning as you’ll need to budget at least 5 hours. This is also where Bourke’s Luck Potholes are located.
Visit Pinnacle Rock and God’s Window on your way back to town. If you have time, visit the town of Pilgrim’s Rest. If you want to eat there, plan to arrive around 2 pm because some of the cute food options close around 4 pm. Get a drink at The Vine, an old-timey bar.
Day 3
Drive up the Panorama Route early in the morning, stopping at Lisbon Falls and Berlin Falls.
Drive to Blyde River Canyon Forever Resort to hike the Leopard Trail for incredible views of the Three Rondavels, Blyde River Dam, and Tufa Falls. Hike in your bathing suit to jump into the swimming holes.
Head back to Joburg around 2 pm for enough daylight driving!
From left clockwise: Lisbon Falls, Berlin Falls, Tufa Falls, and Leopard Trail with the Three Rondavels.
5-day Itinerary
The 3-Day Graskop/Sabie Itinerary with 2 additional nights in Hoedspruit.
Day 3
Instead of driving back to Joburg on Day 3 (above), head to Hoedspruit after hiking the Leopard Trail. I highly recommend staying at Kruger Cliff Lodge, a self-catering spot just outside of Hoedspruit. Get dinner at The Hat & Creek, a favorite for locals and visitors alike.
Hoedspruit loves the warthog!
There are several statues and photos of warthogs around the area. This mural is by Hoedspruit Brew Co.
Day 4
Hike the Hippo Trail. If you have the energy, hike the 14km trail early in the morning. Otherwise, get an amazing breakfast at Kassava Cafe—they focus on integrating Kassava into each of the meals. Walk around the visitor’s center as they have some cool shops. You can still do a portion of the Hippo Hike as it is an out-and-back trail.
Stop for sundowners at Hoedspruit Brew Co. or make a reservation at Aerotel, a hotel inside an airplane that is open to the public Wednesday- Saturday.
Get dinner at Sleepers Railway Station for the vibes.
You could also do a self-guided tour of Kruger National Park instead of hiking.
Day 5
Explore Hoedspruit. Get coffee at Hoedspruit Coffee Purveyors on your way out of town as you head back to Joburg before nightfall!
9-day Itinerary
A leisurely Graskop-Hoedspruit-Sabie Route to see almost everything with 3 nights Graskop, 2 nights Hoedspruit, and 3 nights Sabie.
Day 1
Drive to Graskop and stay at Zur Alten Mine Guest Farm B&B. Do a braai in the evening and get groceries from the SPAR in town if you didn’t bring them with you.
Day 2
Hike the Belvedere Day Hike and check out Bourke’s Luck Potholes. Start early in the morning you have enough time to do this minimum-hour hike.
Walk around Graskop in the evening, stopping in some of the shops. I recommend buying some beautiful silk home décor and scarves at Africa Silk. Get a drink and (maybe) dinner at Panorama Chalets for the views.
Day 3
Hike the Forest Falls trail (take a dip in the pool!), visit the Mac Mac pools (and do the short Secretary Bird trail), and see Mac Mac falls.
Visit the town of Pilgrim’s Rest—get there around 2 pm because some of the cute food options close around 4 pm. Get a drink at The Vine, an old-timey bar.
Day 4
Have an early day to beat the crowds along the Panorama Route viewpoints. Stop at Pinnacle Rock, God’s Window, Lisbon Falls (and do the hike to the bottom of the falls), and Berlin Falls.
Hike the Leopard trail, (and don’t bother with the Three Rondavels viewpoint because you’ll have excellent views on the hike), which starts at Blyde River Canyon Forever Resort. On the hike, you’ll also see Tufa Waterfall. Hike in your bathing suit so you can jump in the pools!
Drive to Hoedspruit. I highly recommend Kruger Cliff Lodge, a self-catering spot just outside of Hoedspruit. Get dinner at The Hat & Creek, a favorite for locals and visitors alike.
Day 5
Hike the Hippo Trail. If you have the energy, get to the 14km trail early in the morning. Otherwise, have an amazing breakfast at Kassava Cafe—they focus on integrating Kassava into each of the meals. Walk around the visitor’s center as they have some cool shops. You can still do a portion of the Hippo Hike as it is an out-and-back trail.
After the hike, stop for sundowners at Hoedspruit Brewery or make a reservation at Aerotel, an aviator boutique hotel that is open to the public Wednesday- Saturday.
Get dinner at Sleepers Railway Station for the vibes.
Day 6
Drive to Sabie and Timamoon Lodge (or your final lodge of choice!). First, stop for a morning coffee at Hoedspruit Coffee Purveyors. Check out Oldroot Timber Co, just beneath Hoedspruit Coffee Purveyors, for beautiful wood furniture and pieces.
Stop for brunch or lunch (depending on how early you got up!) at Shiloh Coffee Shop. Then make it your final lodging (hopefully, Timamoon!).
Shiloh is so cute!
Day 7
REST and explore your lodge. If you go to Timamoon Lodge, do the river hike on the property and take a dip in the river. Check out my full review on Timamoon Lodge.
Day 8
Explore Sabie and visit the waterfalls: Horse Shoe Falls, Lone Creek Falls, Bridal Veil Falls, and Sabie Falls.
Stop for beer and a veggie burger at Tanks Bush Pub for lunch. Any burger can be made into a veggie Burger thanks to Fry’s (a popular plant-based meat substitute company)!
Day 9
The end! Head back to Joburg! Stop in Sabie for any last-minute brews or shopping.