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There is nothing quite like a road trip in South Africa. We drove the Panorama Route as part of an adventure-packed overlanding road trip from Johannesburg, through Kruger, over Sani Pass, along the Garden Route, and finishing in Cape Town.
The Panorama Route in South Africa is one of the most beautiful road trips you can take, offering scenic drives and endless natural beauty of the Drakensberg mountains. Along the way, you’ll stop at spectacular waterfalls, deep canyons, and panoramic viewpoints of landscapes that look straight out of a movie scene.
The Panorama Route is the perfect addition to your Kruger National Park itinerary. You can follow our exact route from our 3-week South Africa road trip guide.
Our guide is designed to help you explore the Panorama Route, with self-driving tips, unmissable stops, itinerary ideas, accommodation and everything you need to know to create your own unforgettable South Africa road trip.
How to Use This Guide
Jump to any section using the Contents table below. Click a heading in the guide to pop back to the contents and explore other sections.
Stretching across Mpumalanga province, the Panorama Route takes you on a journey to discover geological wonders and masterpieces of nature, such as the iconic Blyde River Canyon showcasing South Africa’s diverse and captivating landscapes.
For first-timers to South Africa, the Panorama Route is a lovely introduction to road trips across the country, with a straightforward route to follow and with easy access from Johannesburg. Many of the most breathtaking viewpoints are just a short walk from the car park, making it easy to stop often and see more than one place in a single day.
It’s a relatively compact area that can be explored over a few days or longer, making it a perfect addition to a visit to Kruger National Park. In just a short distance, the scenery shifts from canyon valleys to dramatic waterfalls, abundant forests and unique rock formations.
If you’d prefer not to drive, you can join a guided tour showing the highlights. Whichever your preference, don’t miss this iconic route that gives a surreal experience and introduction to this beautiful region of South Africa. Read our detailed driving guide to South Africa for tips on the road.
Distance | ~180 km
Duration | 2-3 days
Nearest Airport | Johannesburg Tambo International Airport, Kruger Airport (domestic)
Highlights| Blyde River Canyon, Three Rondavels, Lisbon Falls, God’s Window and Bourke’s Luck Potholes
Starting point | Hazyview, Graskop, or Sabie are the most common
Route type | One-way drive following R532, R534 and R36
Difficulty | Easy
Best time of year to visit | Spring (Sep–Nov) and autumn (Mar–May) offer clearer skies and mild temperatures. Summer rains (Nov—Mar) bring heavy rains that make the waterfalls spectacular, and wildflowers bloom, but mist can limit visibility. Winter (Jun–Aug) and early spring are ideal for wildlife viewing in Kruger National Park, thanks to the drier conditions and sparser vegetation.
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The Panorama Route is stunning any time of year, but what you see and do can change depending on the season.
Wet season (November to March)
Waterfalls like Lisbon Falls and Mac Mac Falls are at their absolute best, huge, roaring, and spectacular.
The hills and forests are lush and green, often carpeted with wildflowers.
Keep in mind that mist and clouds can roll in, so some viewpoints, like God’s Window or the Three Rondavels, might be a bit foggy.
Wildlife in Kruger can be harder to spot because everything is hiding in the dense vegetation.
Dry season (April to October)
Clear skies make it perfect for epic panoramic shots.
Waterfalls are smaller but still very beautiful.
Wildlife spotting in Kruger is easier because animals gather around rivers and waterholes and there is less bush to hide in.
Cooler temperatures make walking to viewpoints and short hikes more comfortable.
If you are arriving in Johannesburg, like we did, you’ll take the N12 towards eMalahleni (Witbank) and then N4 Mbombela (Nelspruit), and then drive north to Sabie (southern section). The journey takes around 4 hours to Sabie and additional 30 minutes to Graskop. If you plan to start in the northern section, where you find Three Rondavels it will be around 5 hours from Johannesburg.
If you’re flying into Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport, the drive is 1 hour to Sabie and 2 hours to Three Rondavels.
Roads in Mpumalanga and along the Panorama Route are generally well maintained, but some scenic stretches have winding turns and hills. The N4 highway from Johannesburg has tolls that accept contactless payment, but it’s always worth having some change.
It’s easy to follow the route as it's one-way, as you’ll likely start from the south and make your way north, but of course can be done in the opposite direction.
South Africans drive on the left-hand side of the road, and speed limits are enforced; you may come across police stops. Read our detailed South Africa driving guide for tips and everything you need to know.
Distance | 367 km
Driving time | 4 hours
We picked up our rental car at Johannesburg airport and started our journey northeast along the N4 highway, which has two tolls that accept cash or cards. The estimated toll costs are around R200 (£9).
You will leave Pretoria province and enter Mpumalanga province, where the scenery quickly changes and if you turn off to the R36, taking the R539 following the Crocodile River, which continues along the south border of Kruger National Park. You’ll drive through the beautiful scenery of rolling hills and pine plantations, and you may notice the traffic is more agricultural and commercial trucks.
Schoemanskloof is famous for its orange farming, you’ll see rows of bright orange trees along the route. Stop at Joubert en Seuns Padstal, a large farm shop where you can stock up on fresh oranges, juice and local produce to fuel your adventure ahead and campsite dinner.
STAY | Mac Mac Forest Retreat Campsite
A scenic campsite near Mac Mac Falls close to Sabie, and the amenities are rustic, they have hot water showers, toilets, electricity hook-up and BBQ (braai in South Africa) areas. The best part is waking up to the incredible surrounding views.
STAY | Sabie Town House Guest Lodge
If you’d prefer a more comfortable stay, then Sabie Town House Guest Lodge has everything you’ll need to start your Panorama Route adventure. It has lovely rooms, all set in a beautiful, quiet setting, includes breakfast and has great facilities, including a pool, honesty bar, BBQ area, WiFi and all within a reasonable budget.
Distance | 90 km
Driving time | 2 - 3 hours
For each stop along the Panorama Route, there is a small fee for all visitors, make sure to bring cash and they should all be open at sunrise, we found at Mac Mac Falls no-one was there to let us in, the gate was locked which was disappointing. Most stops also have facilities, including toilets and some local vendors selling beautiful handicrafts.
Mac Mac Falls is one of the most impressive waterfalls, falling over 70 metres, and is easily accessible just a short walk from the viewing platform. Then you’ll drive through Graskop, a small town where you might want to stop for a light brunch, for sweet treats and coffee choice from either Leather and latté, Harrie’s pancakes and Graskop Waffle Hut. Another must in Graskop is stopping to enjoy the excellent view at Divine Foods At The View Restaurant.
Leaving Graskop, take the R534, which is a loop that takes you to Pinnacle Rock and God’s Window, which require a bit more effort to get to the viewpoint; it takes around 10 minute hike. Next stop is Lisbon Falls, one of the tallest waterfalls, scaling 90 metres, once again with easy access to the viewpoint. If you’re short on time, we’d recommend Pinnacle Rock and Lisbon Falls and skipping God’s Window.
For lunch, stop at the Chubby Pig Eatery, set next to the Treur River, for a peaceful setting and enjoy fresh food. Choose from tasty burgers, milkshakes, sandwiches, ribs and more.
In the afternoon, visit Bourke’s Luck Potholes, one of the most distinctive and impressive geological wonders in the Panorama Route. There are several bridges that provide you access to these natural marvels.
STAY | Blyde Canyon, A Forever Resort
A scenic resort on the edge of Blyde River Canyon, offering self-catering chalets, family-friendly accommodation, a restaurant, pool, and easy access to hiking trails.
STAY | Dar Amane Graskop
A charming 3-star hotel in the heart of Graskop, featuring traditional design elements and set within a lush, tranquil garden oasis.
Distance |120 km
Driving Time | 3 hours (inc. drive to Tintswalo Safari Lodge)
Take a slow morning to explore the three main viewpoints of the iconic Blyde River Canyon. You can start at Lowveld viewpoint for your first glimpse of arguably the main attraction along the Panorama Route. We’d recommend you skip this to get to the best viewpoint, and head over to the Three Rondavels Viewpoint.
From the Three Rondavels Viewpoint, you can see the meander of the Blyde River below making it’s way around the Three Rondavels. A Rondavel is a traditional South African round hut with a thatched roof and the base made of natural materials such as dung, stone, wood and mud.
There is an entrance fee to enter the Three Rondavels Viewpoint, 104 Rand for each international visitor (£4.50pp). At this viewpoint you’ll also find local crafts being sold where you park, toilets and a small café.
There are two paths to explore which take you to different perspectives of the canyon, the one on the right hand side is the more famous view where you can see the river below.
Take note of signage and don’t get too close to the edge as it’s a vertical drop.
Spend the afternoon on a cruise down the Blyde River, getting a different perspective of one of the largest canyons in South Africa. Be on the lookout for crocodiles, hippos, and a variety of birds that call this place home.
After visiting the Panorama Route highlights, follow the scenic Kruger birding route from Blyde River Canyon north to Kruger National Park. Enter the park at Orpen Gate. Make sure to check gate and camp opening times to allow enough time to reach your next stop.
We checked in at Tinstswalo Safari Lodge, for a luxury and truly memorable experience. You can end the day on an evening safari, as a taster to your time exploring Kruger, one of the best places in South Africa for game drives.
STAY | Tintswalo Safari Lodge, Manyaleti Game Reserve, Kruger
Read about our stay at Tintswalo Safari Lodge, a 5-star luxury retreat in the heart of the Manyaleti Game Reserve, close to Orpen Gate, offering incredible guided game drives, delicious food and stay in a beautiful, peaceful setting surrounded by nature and wildlife.
Is the Panorama Route worth it?
If you love epic landscapes, unique geology and stunning scenery then the Panorama Route is definitely worth visiting and a worthwhile addition to your Kruger itinerary, as it’s only a short distance away. Even if you only have a day we’d highly recommend stopping by Blyde River Canyon for one of the most iconic and photogenic spots in South Africa.
How many days do you need to drive the Panorama Route?
1-2 days is ideal for a Panorama Route itinerary. If you only have time for the highlights, you can easily see a few of the must-see stops in a day. But if you’d like more time to do some hikes, other activities and have more time to see most of the stops along the way then 2 days is the ideal amount. For more information on the route and its highlights, see the official South African Tourism page.
What type of car do I need for the Panorama Route?
Most of the roads are paved, the route follows along the R532 and R534 (small loop to God’s Window) and the main thing to look out for is potholes but most of it can be driven in a normal car without needing a 4x4.
What’s the nearest airport to the Panorama Route?
For the best flight options from the UK, O. R. Tambo International Airport (Johannesburg) offers direct connections to London with onward connections to regional airports in South Africa. From Johannesburg, it’s a 4 hour drive to Sabie which is what we did. Another option is flying to Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport which has car rental options and is a 1 hour drive from Sabie or Hazyview.
What is the best way to get around the Panorama Route?
Hiring a car will give you the most flexibility and the option to add this to a bigger itinerary such as visiting Kruger National Park, which we’d highly recommend. There are also tour options, which you may feel more comfortable with but may require more transfer costs between places and make sure to check whether entrance fees are included or charged separately.
Are there entrance fees for stops on the Panorama Route?
Yes, for most of the scenic stops along the Panorama Route there is an entrance or conservation fee to visit. We did find this a little frustrating as we had to pay at each site, so make sure to carry cash. However, after our visit, we discovered you can purchase an All Access Conservation Ticket from the Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency which includes the Three Rondavels, God’s Window, Pinnacle Rock, and Bourke’s Luck Potholes.
Where does the Panorama Route start and finish?
While there is no official start or finish, many people choose to start around Graskop (southern section) instead of Hoedspruit (northern section) as it’s much closer if you’re driving from Johannesburg, then continue on to Kruger from there. It’s worth looking at your plans for Kruger to determine the best way to drive but it’s such a short route that you could easily drive back down to the R532 to southern Kruger if you’re looking to stay near Orpen or Skukuza.
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