Skip to content
+254 722148782
SAFARICONTINENTS TRAVEL
Bourke’s Luck Potholes, Panorama Route, South Africa

HomeDestinationsPanorama Route

Panorama Route

The Panorama Route is the scenic day between Johannesburg and Kruger: Blyde River Canyon, God's Window, and a series of viewpoints.

Get a quote
Bourke’s Luck Potholes, Panorama Route, South Africa
The Pinnacle. The Pinnacle on the Panorama Route, Graskop.
Shot from South African Panorama Route in Mpumalanga
Leopard ( Panthera pardus ) devouring an antelope, Kruger National Park, South Africa

Visiting the Panorama Route

Bourke’s Luck Potholes, Panorama Route, South Africa

To the west of the Kruger Park lies a region of exceptional natural beauty and dramatic landscapes: the Panorama Route.

Take a slow drive around this rugged, mountainous countryside stopping at reach-for-your-camera viewpoints such as “God's Window” and “The Pinnacle” – their names conjuring up the enormity of their panoramic vistas – and be sure not to miss the surreal cylindrical rock formations at the Bourke's Luck Potholes in the Blyde River Canyon.

Most visitors treat this area as a brief diversion on their way to or from the Kruger Park, but spend a few days on the Panorama Route and you'll soon discover that naturally sculpted canyons, waterfalls and unspoilt mountain views are only part of the appeal while lovely little towns, local hospitality and outdoor activities – horse riding, hiking and fly fishing – complete the holiday experience.

The Panorama Route is perfect for a self-drive holiday: infrastructure is good, the roads are easy to navigate and there are plenty of accommodation options in the surrounding towns.

  • Towns in and around the Panorama Route:

    The Pinnacle. The Pinnacle on the Panorama Route, Graskop.

    Hazyview: gateway to Kruger, outdoor activities

    With the closest gate to the Kruger Park only 10 km away, Hazyview is a popular base from which to explore the extravagantly scenic Panorama Route and then get an early start on a Kruger Park safari.

    This pretty little town has a good selection of accommodations, shops, and restaurants, and there's a wonderful Belgian bakery where you can enjoy all manner of tasty pastries and teatime treats. There's plenty to do in the area too: scenic hot air balloon fights, quad biking and paddling on the Sabie River.

    All in all Havyview is a much better overnight option than nearby Nelspruit, which lacks the small-town feel and safari buzz.

    White River: convenient location, plenty to do

    Just north of Nelspruit lies the small town of White River. Around a 30-minute drive from the Numbi Gate of the Kruger Park, White River is a convenient base from which to tour the Panorama Route, try the many adventurous outdoor activities in the area, play a round or two of golf and – of course – go on a self-drive safari. As for the town itself, there are some lovely pottery and art studios, boutique shops, delis and open-air restaurants, and the pleasant sub-tropical climate is ideal for growing fruit and nuts: Valencia oranges, mangos, litchis, macadamias and pecan nuts are all farmed on the surrounding hills.

    Malalane: golf courses, close to Kruger

    Malalane is located a mere 10-minute drive from the Malalane Gate of the Kruger Park. This is sugar cane country and Malalane – a small farming town – is not very interesting in itself, however, there are a couple of world-class golf courses nearby including Leopard Creek. Here “golfing hazards” take on a new dimension with regular sightings of crocodile, hippo and antelope – either on the course itself or next to the river running alongside several holes.

    Dullstroom: fly-fishing, horse riding & hiking trails

    At 2 100m above sea level, Dullstroom is one of the highest – and coldest – towns in South Africa, and lies in the rolling landscape between Johannesburg and the Panorama Route. Dullstroom is an exceptionally beautiful town with an abundance of water: clear streams, waterfalls, and 14 lakes and dams all stocked with rainbow trout. Popular activities include fly-fishing, horse riding, hiking to nearby waterfalls, and a visit to the informative bird of prey rehabilitation centre.

    Pilgrim's Rest: historic gold mining town

    Dating back to the late 1800s, Pilgrim's Rest is a historic gold mining town set in a pretty location on the Panorama Route. In an attempt to preserve the atmosphere of South Africa's early gold rush days the entire town has been declared a national monument: all the buildings have been carefully restored, there are museums up and down the main road, and visitors can enjoy quirky activities such as ghost tours and gold panning excursions.

  • What travellers most enjoyed about Panorama Route

    • Scenery

    • Self-drive

Where to go

When to go

  • Bourke’s Luck Potholes, Panorama Route, South Africa

    May to September

    Clear winter days and the dry season you probably wanted in Kruger anyway.

  • Leopard ( Panthera pardus ) devouring an antelope, Kruger National Park, South Africa

    Summer

    Mist on the escarpment is common. The views come and go.

Travel advice

  • Leopard ( Panthera pardus ) devouring an antelope, Kruger National Park, South Africa

    Time

    Do not land in Johannesburg and try to see the canyon and enter Kruger the same evening.

Popular tours and safaris in Panorama Route

Priced itineraries that pass through this place. Nights can still change when the quote is drawn up. Nothing is paid until you accept it.

Browse all tours
  • From KSh307,072 to KSh448,597 pps

    Sustainable Cape Luxury
    Cape Cadogan Residence Bedroom Landscape 44 days

    Highlights

    A visit with a local community.

    Destinations visited

    Cape Town | South Africa

  • From KSh369,395 to KSh510,271 pps

    Eco-Retreat: The Grootbos Experience
    Garden Lodge Lounge4 days

    Highlights

    Morning and afternoon game drives on each full day on safari. Park and permit fees for the places on this route.

    Destinations visited

    South Africa | Western Cape

  • From KSh523,904 pps

    Train Journey to Vic Falls
    Day1 BoardRovos54 days

    Highlights

    Morning and afternoon game drives.

    Destinations visited

    Botswana | South Africa | Zimbabwe

  • Rovos Rail RVR KimberleyStation HRes4 days

    Highlights

    Morning and afternoon game drives on each full day on safari. Park and permit fees for the places on this route.

    Destinations visited

    Cape Town | South Africa

  • From KSh523,904 pps

    Train Journey to Vic Falls
    Day1 BoardRovos54 days

    Highlights

    Morning and afternoon game drives on each full day on safari. Park and permit fees for the places on this route.

    Destinations visited

    Botswana | South Africa | Zimbabwe

  • From KSh557,014 to KSh603,107 pps

    5-Day Essential Kruger Park Safari
    Simbavati River Lodge 15 days

    Highlights

    Morning and afternoon game drives on each full day on safari. Park and permit fees for the places on this route.

    Destinations visited

    Kruger Private Reserves | South Africa

  • From KSh810,851 to KSh814,097 pps

    Mid-Range 5-Day Essential Kruger Park Safari
    Savanna private game reserve5 days

    Highlights

    Morning and afternoon game drives.

    Destinations visited

    Sabi Sands Game Reserve | South Africa

  • From KSh1,470,438 to KSh1,663,900 pps

    Luxury 5-Day Essential Kruger Safari
    Sabi Sabi Earth Lodge5 days

    Highlights

    Morning and afternoon game drives.

    Destinations visited

    Sabi Sands Game Reserve | South Africa

Panorama Route Accommodation

Accommodation on the Panorama Route ranges from comfortable forest retreats to luxury lodges with amazing scenery – enough to suit all tastes, budgets and trip types. Whether you’re looking for a self-drive trip of Mpumalanga or a convenient stopover before your Kruger Safari, our selection of Panorama Route accommodation is sure to inspire you and will make planning your South Africa holiday so much simpler.

Filter Your Results

Travellers
CoupleFamilyGroup (2 or more)Solo
Activities
Game drivesNight drivesGuided walking safarisPrivate vehicle with driverSpecialist guidesCultural visitsConservation projectsStar gazingSleep-out experience available
Wildlife Experiences
Historical toursBird watchingGorilla trackingChimp trackingMonkey trackingRhino trackingWhale watchingTurtle nesting excursionsShark cage diving
Food & Drink
Bush diningPicnicsFine dining experiencePrivate dining experienceWine tastingCooking lessons
Aerial activities
Hot air ballooningHelicopter flightsScenic flightsMicro-lightingBungee jumpingSky diving
Water activities
Boat excursionsMokoro trailsFishingCanoeingKayakingSailingWind-surfingKite surfingStand-up paddle boardingSurfingWater-skiingWhite-water raftingSnorkellingScuba diving
Sport & Wellness
HikingQuad-bikingJogging trailsSpa treatmentsYogaHorse riding
Accommodation Types
Boutique HotelBush CampCountry HouseGuesthouseHotelHouseLodgeView all 'Accommodation Types'(5)Mobile Tented CampResortTented CampTented LodgeVillaPer person sharing
Meal plan
Bed and BreakfastFull boardFull inclusiveHalf boardShowing 1 to 4 of 4 results

Panorama Route stays

1 stay. The rate is per person sharing.

  • From KSh1,036,123 to KSh2,516,299 pps

    Oliver's Restaurant and Lodge

    Olivers Restaurant Lodge frontPanorama Route, South Africa

    Activities travellers enjoyed

    Historical tours | Bush dining | Bird watching | Fine dining experience | Wine tasting | Picnics

Costs

The Panorama is a transfer and a hotel, small beside the Kruger nights.

Keep it on the safari quote so the driving day is not a surprise.