The Panorama Route in South Africa certainly didn’t steal its name. This scenic drive takes you past beautiful landscapes and breathtaking waterfalls. The route stretches some 180 kilometers and along the way you will be treated to one beautiful vista after another. Here you can read everything you need to know about the Panorama Route in South Africa: the most beautiful stops in chronological order, where to stay and more tips!
Panorama Route in South Africa: 10 most beautiful stops
If you are a traveler visiting the Panorama Route, chances are you will land at the international airport in Johannesburg. From Johannesburg, it is about a 5-hour drive to the town of Graskop. This town is the base for visiting the Panorama Route. We recommend you spend two nights in Graskop so that you have a full day to drive the Panorama Route. If you drive from Johannesburg to Graskop on the first day, you can already visit two sights. Lone Creek Falls and Mac Mac Falls are in fact just before Graskop.
TRAVEL TIP: The best way to visit the Panorama Route is with a rental car. This way you have all the freedom to explore this route by yourself. Book your rental car with Discover Cars.
For each stop along the Panorama Route, you must pay an entrance fee . This usually varies between 50 ZAR and 100 ZAR for foreign tourists. You can also normally pay by credit card, but be sure to bring plenty of cash. Paying by card did not always work for us due to a lack of connectivity.
1) Three Rondavels
The first stop is immediately the furthest stop on the Panorama Route. We recommend you leave Graskop early in the morning and drive all the way to the Three Rondavels viewpoint. Then you can slowly drive back toward Graskop and take in the other stops along the way. We also found the Three Rondavels to be the most beautiful stop on the Panorama Route! On a clear day, you have a fantastic view of the Blyde River winding through the Blyde River Canyon. The surrounding mountains rise high above the canyon. And if you look closely, you will see three rondavels in the landscape, named after traditional South African huts.
Opening hours: daily from 08:00 to 17:00
2) Low Field View
The next stop is near the Three Rondavels. Also at Lowveld View you have a fantastic view of the Blyde River Canyon and surroundings. When we drove past it in the morning, the gate was closed at first. An hour after our stop at the Rondavels the gate did open, so we recommend not making this stop first. If you are limited on time, you can also skip this stop because the views are similar to the Three Rondavels.
Opening hours: daily from 08:00 to 17:00
3) Bourke’s Luck Potholes
The Bourkes Luck Potholes is another, popular stop along the Panorama Route and one you should definitely not skip. This is where the Blyde River and Triest River meet. The result is a deep, eroded canyon in which you can see “potholes,” or wells. You can do a loop where you walk across three bridges and stand just above the canyon. Further on, you can see the Blyde River flowing into the canyon in wide steps. Here you can also use your feet to seek refreshment in the water, in one of the ‘wells’.
Opening hours: daily from 08:00 to 17:00
4) The Chubby Pig
The Chubby Pig is a cozy little restaurant located right on the river. You can have a drink or lunch on the cozy terrace. The setting in nature completes the picture. In addition to the restaurant, you will also find a small store where they sell local souvenirs and clothes and some cabins where you can stay overnight. A nice stop to take a break and eat something.
TRAVEL TIP: The Chubby Pig is also the only (good) restaurant you will encounter along the Panorama Route. Therefore, be sure to bring enough drinks and snacks in the morning for the whole day.
Opening hours: daily from 08:00 to 16:00
5) Berlin Falls
If like us you started your route with the Three Rondavels, Berlin Falls are the first waterfall you will encounter along the Panorama Route on this day. You can admire this 80-meter-high waterfall from a viewing platform across the street. During the dry season (June through August), however, this waterfall may not be as spectacular.
Opening hours: daily from 08:00 to 17:00
6) Lisbon Falls
Near the Berlin Falls you will find the Lisbon Falls. These are actually two waterfalls side by side, and with a height of 94 meters, they are also the highest waterfalls along the Panorama Route. You can admire the Lisbon Falls from two viewing platforms on the opposite side. You can also follow a walking path to the left right at the fence. From there, the view only gets better. Those who wish can walk all the way to the base of Lisbon Falls. Although this is not an official hiking trail, it is often used. In about half an hour you will be at the bottom.
Opening hours: daily from 08:00 to 17:00
7) God’s Window
We found God’s Window to be one of the most enjoyable stops along the Panorama Route. A hike called “Rainforest Trail” takes you through a piece of rainforest. Along the hike, you’ll pass several viewpoints over the expansive area surrounding the Panorama Route. Be sure to take your time here to explore the various trails through the rainforest. Be sure to look up, as you will often see very colorful birds sitting in the trees here.
Opening hours: daily from 08: 00 to 17: 00
8) Pinnacle Rock
The Pinnacle Rock is a 30-meter high rock that rises from the valley like a pillar. Vegetation grows on top of the rock and all around you will find the beautiful landscapes of the Panorama Route. We were here in the afternoon so the rock was already largely in shadow. Personally, we found this a less interesting stop, but if you would still like to see the Pinnacle Rock we would recommend stopping here in the morning. The rock is just a 5-minute drive from Graskop.
Opening hours: daily from 08:00 to 17:00
9) Mac Mac Falls
Mac Mac Falls and Lone Creek Falls are both on the other side of Graskop. We therefore visited these two when we drove from Johannesburg toward Graskop, a day before we drove the Panorama Route. Mac Mac Falls is a 65-meter-high waterfall that you can admire from a viewpoint. For this viewpoint, you follow a short trail from the parking lot that runs along the edge of the canyon. The viewpoint itself is shielded by a large iron fence. This makes the experience a little less special, but we found it worthwhile to go here nonetheless!
Opening hours: daily from 08:00 to 17:00
10) Lone Creek Falls
Lone Creek Falls are the last or first stop you will make while visiting the Panorama Route. We also found this to be the most beautiful waterfall along the route. You will hike through the green rainforest to the 70-meter-high waterfall. This hike makes a loop, where you can first admire the waterfall from below and a little further from a higher vantage point. In addition, it is the only waterfall you can easily get close to. We visited this waterfall around 4 p.m. and were the only ones here!
Opening hours: daily from 08:00 to 17:00
Blyde River boat ride
If you have a day to spare, we definitely recommend a boat trip on the Blyde River consider. For two hours you will cruise through the canyon and be able to experience the landscape from a different perspective. Please note that this stop is not along the Panorama Route as described above. The start of the Blyde River Boat Ride is along the other side of the mountain range and is about a two-hour drive from Graskop. Still, we want to mention it because it’s a unique experience that, if you have time, is well worth it. It’s best to book your boat trip in advance to be sure of a seat.
Where to stay for the Panorama Route
The ideal base from which to explore the Panorama Route is the town of Graskop. Here you will find plenty of nice accommodations for every budget. We stayed in Dar Aname Guesthouse. Especially the breakfast in the beautiful garden made our stay complete! In Graskop you will also find good restaurants to eat at. Recommended are The Glass House Restaurant where wine glasses are filled to the brim. Another must is Divine Foods at the View. Delicious food and the view only makes it better! Dar Aname Guesthouse also has its own restaurant.
- Budget (€): The Elements
- Comfort (€€): Dar Amane Guesthouse
- Luxurious (€€€): Quaint Luxury Villas
Best time to visit the Panorama Route, South Africa
The best travel time for the Panorama Route is during the South African winter, between May and September. This is when daytime temperatures are pleasant and the rainy season is over. The best months would be April and May, as this is just after the rainy season and the waterfalls are even more spectacular then. By September, some of the waterfalls may be dry.
Still have questions about the Panorama Route in South Africa? Let us know in a comment below! Looking for more information for your next trip? Please do not hesitate to contact us contact or send an email to info@snoezelsontheroad.com
Did you know...
When you make a purchase through our links, we receive a small fee. What you pay remains the same, and you support us with it too. A win-win for everyone!
Activities
Book here inexpensively via Getyourguide
Support us with coffee
Support us with a virtual cup of coffee
