With views, waterfalls and endless skies, it’s no wonder they call it the Panorama Route. Pictures don’t do South Africa’s most beautiful road trip justice. And while many may choose to safari in the north, the Panorama Route, centred around the Blyde River Canyon, can be found in the often-overlooked province of Mpumalanga.

South Africa’s Mpumalanga Province is home to the Panorama Route, aptly named for its endless number of stunning vistas and otherworldly splendour. Visitors can explore this serpentine route as it ambles along the Long Tom Pass (the highest tarred road in the country) and passes rock faces dotted with emerald flora, rotund boulders, showering waterfalls, and the small towns nestled in valleys.

The Drakensberg Escarpment houses the town of Graskop, long-considered the proverbial gateway to the Panorama Route’s most iconic attractions: God’s Window, extending majestic views of the Lowveld beyond; the Blyde River Canyon, best experienced from the viewpoint overlooking the Three Rondavels; or the Blyde river dam and Bourke’s Potholes, curious inter-connected rock pools that have formed over centuries. 

A number of waterfalls populate this verdant region: Horse Shoe, Lone Creek, Bridal Veil, and Lisbon to name but a few. A hike through the sublime Echo Caves is also well-worth the effort. Charming towns dot the way: Sabie, home to the largest sawmill in the country; Pilgrim’s Rest, stuck in time as the site of a late-nineteenth gold rush; and Hazyview, conveniently close to the Kruger National Park. Visitors will definitely want a few days to explore all that this magnificent part of the world has to offer.

Panorama Route Highlights

  • Home to magnificently picturesque landscapes as well as the fascinating Pinnacle and Three Rondavels rock formations
  • The Long Tom Pass is the highest tarred road in South Africa and promises magnificent views of this stunning region
  • Outdoor activities abound from hiking and rock climbing to fishing and boat cruising
  • The Panorama Route is a wonderful trail to take when making your way to the Kruger National Park
  • Several waterfalls dot the region along with quaint towns such as Pilgrims Rest

Best time to go
Panorama Route

  • Jan
  • Feb
  • Mar
  • Apr
  • May
  • Jun
  • Jul
  • Aug
  • Sep
  • Oct
  • Nov
  • Dec

Frequently Asked Questions

We've taken the liberty to answer everything you may need to know about visiting the Panorama Route.

  • May to September is the dry season and delivers classic safari conditions with sparse vegetation and a higher concentration of wildlife at remaining waterholes. On the other hand, November to April brings dramatic thunderstorms and an influx of newborn animals finding their wonky feet in the great, big world. 

    Kruger remains rewarding throughout the year, but the best time to go depends on how you like to experience the bush. Our Travel Experts help match season, location, and style of safari to what you’re genuinely curious about – whether that’s wildlife behaviour, photography, birding, or simply spending unhurried time in nature.

  • Private lodge stays range from USD 500 to USD 2,500 per person per night. We recommend a minimum of three nights to settle into the rhythm of the bush.

  • Access options include charter flights (90 minutes from Johannesburg to lodge airstrips), commercial flights to Kruger Mpumalanga/Hoedspruit airports, or six-hour self-drives. Our Travel Experts will advise you on the best option for your timing and spending preferences.

  • We always recommend private concessions for the transformative difference they deliver. Sabi Sand Private Game Reserve offers the highest leopard density in Africa with lodges ranging from classic safari elegance to ultra-modern luxury. Timbavati Nature Reserve delivers excellent Big 5 viewing with slightly lower rates, whereas Manyeleti is known for outstanding value without compromising the experience.

    Your choice depends on your priorities: whether you want to focus on photography, family-friendly facilities, romantic seclusion, or conservation. Our Travel Experts will find the perfect lodge based on everything that tickles your fancy.

  • Public areas in Kruger National Park promise Big 5 sightings. However, there are some time and road restrictions. On the other hand, private concessions offer exclusive benefits, like only allowing up to three game drive vehicles per sighting, there are no time restrictions, so you can enjoy night safaris, your guide can go off-road for close-up sightings, and you can go on walking safaris. 

    Furthermore, you can feel good about your stay in a private reserve, as it helps fund anti-poaching patrols and community development.

  • Absolutely. Victoria Falls, Mozambique and Cape Town all pair beautifully with Kruger. We handle all logistics for seamless multi-destination journeys from bush to beach to city.

  • Kruger is home to the Big 5, 147 mammals, and more than 500 bird species. Private reserves allow for deeper encounters with animals that rangers know individually. The dry season concentrates wildlife at waterholes, while during the green season, animals are spread across landscapes, with plenty of newborns and predator-prey interactions to witness.

  • Kruger is not malaria-free, although the risk is generally low for much of the year. We recommend speaking to your doctor or travel clinic about anti-malarial options for your trip. Using mosquito repellent and wearing long sleeves in the early mornings and evenings are simple precautions that many travellers find effective.

Some more useful Panorama Route Travel Tips