Africa

Panorama Route

South Africa

Point-to-point

Hazyview Hoedspruit

In short: Panorama Route is a 180 km scenic road trip in South Africa, typically driven over 1–2 days, best in Apr–Sep. Highlights: Hazyview, Graskop, The Pinnacle.

Distance

180 km

Duration

1–2 days

Best Season

Apr–Sep

IconicEasyScenicEV-friendly

Mpumalanga's Panorama Route strings together the most dramatic escarpment scenery in Southern Africa, canyon viewpoints, gold-rush villages, ancient potholes, and waterfalls spilling off the edge of the highveld.

Practical notes

Most of the Panorama Route is paved and easy in any car, but the escarpment sections can be slow with fog, sudden rain, and impatient tour traffic. Start early for clear views, keep fuel topped up in Hazyview or Graskop, and watch for short operating hours at waterfalls and viewpoints.

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Day-by-day itinerary

Day 1Hazyview to Graskop and the central escarpment

Graskop Gorge Lift · The Pinnacle and God’s Window · Harrie's Pancakes

Day 2Graskop to Hoedspruit via Blyde River Canyon

Bourke’s Luck Potholes · Three Rondavels viewpoint · Kadisi Restaurant

Stops along the route

Departure

Hazyview

Gateway town to Kruger's Phabeni Gate and the start of the high escarpment viewpoints.

Hotels

Graskop — City — Panorama Route — South Africa

City
Graskop
The Panorama Route's natural hub, home to the Graskop Gorge Lift, the Big Swing, and the waterfalls just outside town.

Arrival

Hoedspruit

Lowveld town at the canyon's foot, gateway to Kruger and private reserves. The escarpment looms dramatically behind.

Hotels

Things to Do

The Pinnacle — Nature — Panorama Route — South Africa

Nature
The Pinnacle
A lone quartzite column shooting 30m from the forest floor, one of the most striking formations in South Africa.

God's Window — Nature — Panorama Route — South Africa

Nature
God's Window
A 1,730m viewpoint where the escarpment drops sheer to the lowveld. On clear days you can see into Mozambique.

Lisbon Falls — Nature — Panorama Route — South Africa

Nature
Lisbon Falls
At 90m, Mpumalanga's tallest waterfall plunges into a forested gorge. Accessible and usually crowd-free.

Berlin Falls — Nature — Panorama Route — South Africa

Nature
Berlin Falls
A slender, high waterfall a couple of kilometres from Lisbon Falls, usually visited together with it on the same short loop road.

Bourke's Luck Potholes — Nature — Panorama Route — South Africa

Nature
Bourke's Luck Potholes
Swirling river currents carved cylindrical potholes into red rock over millennia. An otherworldly landscape.

Three Rondavels — Nature — Panorama Route — South Africa

Nature
Three Rondavels
Three dome-shaped peaks rising above the world's third-largest canyon and the largest green canyon on Earth.

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Graskop Gorge Lift — Activity — Panorama Route — South Africa

Activity
Graskop Gorge Lift
A glass-walled cable car descends into a forested gorge to a canopy boardwalk, one of the route's headline paid activities.

The Pinnacle, God's Window and Waterfalls — Scenic Drive — Panorama Route — South Africa

Scenic Drive
The Pinnacle, God's Window and Waterfalls
Follow the linear escarpment sequence through the Pinnacle, God's Window, Lisbon Falls, and Berlin Falls before continuing north.

Bourke's Luck Potholes and Three Rondavels — Scenic Drive — Panorama Route — South Africa

Scenic Drive
Bourke's Luck Potholes and Three Rondavels
Start early at the potholes, then continue to the canyon's Three Rondavels viewpoint before choosing one afternoon activity.

Blyde Dam Boat Cruise — Boat Tour — Panorama Route — South Africa

Boat Tour
Blyde Dam Boat Cruise
A boat trip on the Blydepoort Dam past the Kadishi tufa waterfall and hippos below the Three Rondavels.

Where to Eat

Harrie's Pancakes — Pancakes/Café — Panorama Route — South Africa

Pancakes/Café
Harrie's Pancakes
Graskop institution operating since 1986 and a practical meal before the escarpment viewpoint sequence.

Kadisi Restaurant — South African — Panorama Route — South Africa

South African
Kadisi Restaurant
A convenient meal near the northern Blyde River Canyon viewpoints; confirm current hours before the onward drive to Hoedspruit.

Nearby and similar drives

Frequently asked questions

How long is the Panorama Route drive?

The Panorama Route covers 180 km from start to finish.

How long does the Panorama Route take to drive?

Most travellers spend 1–2 days on the Panorama Route, depending on stops and pace.

When is the best time to drive the Panorama Route?

The recommended season for the Panorama Route is Apr–Sep.

Where does the Panorama Route start and end?

The Panorama Route runs from Hazyview to Hoedspruit.

What are the main stops on the Panorama Route?

The Panorama Route passes through Hazyview, Graskop, The Pinnacle.

How difficult is the Panorama Route to drive?

The Panorama Route is rated easy and is best handled with any vehicle.

Can I drive the Panorama Route in a regular car?

Yes — the Panorama Route is paved end-to-end and a regular car is fine in normal conditions.

Is the Panorama Route EV friendly?

Yes — the Panorama Route has charger coverage along the route and works as an EV road trip.

Is the Panorama Route safe to drive?

What scenic tier is the Panorama Route?

The Panorama Route is a iconic drive — Iconic road trips that anchor a region's reputation — postcard scenery, headline highways, and the routes most travellers want to drive.