South Africa has many beautiful scenic routes, and the Panorama Route is known as one of the most breathtaking. We can only confirm this because along this route, you’ll find dozens of unique natural wonders. The most famous one is the Blyde River Canyon. This 26 km (16 miles) long canyon is about 800 meters (2625 feet) deep and, above all, incredibly beautiful. In addition to this canyon, there are also numerous waterfalls and viewpoints to discover. You can explore the Panorama Route in a day, and below, you’ll read about the 9 most beautiful spots where you’ll definitely want to make a stop.
Tip: After Graskop, you will find very few restaurants along the Panorama Route. Therefore, make sure to bring enough water and snacks for the journey.
The Panorama Route in South Africa
Below, you’ll find information about the different stops along the route.
#1 Lone Creek Falls
Lone Creek Falls is the first waterfall on the Panorama Route and, in our opinion, also the most beautiful one. From the parking lot, you walk through a jungle path to reach the 70-meter-high (230-feet-high) waterfall. Lone Creek Falls is one of the few waterfalls along the Panorama Route where you can get up close. Additionally, we had this waterfall all to ourselves, which made it even more impressive.
#2 Mac Mac Falls
Mac Mac Falls is a 65-meter-high (213-feet-high) waterfall. It is located about a half-hour drive from Lone Creek Falls and approximately 16 kilometers (9.9 miles) before the town of Graskop. An interesting fact is that Mac Mac Falls is relatively new. Hundreds of years ago, it was a river until the Scots found gold there in 1873. After this discovery, the gold miners dynamited the river, causing it to split in two and creating this waterfall. Although it’s a beautiful waterfall, we found it disappointing that you can only view it from one lookout point. This lookout point is also enclosed in a sort of cage, which takes away some of its charm. If you have enough time, you can hike down to the bottom. However, it’s a quite challenging hike, so wear good shoes and don’t underestimate it. The view from below, on the other hand, turns out to be much more beautiful than from above.
#3 Bourke’s Luck Potholes
This is certainly one of the most beautiful spots on the Panorama Route. At Bourke’s Luck Potholes, the two rivers, Blyde and Treur, converge, creating fast swirling motions in the water. These rapid swirling movements have formed cylindrical potholes through erosion. The water pools created by erosion look truly unique. You can take a beautiful walk here, crossing various bridges, and if you bring your swimwear, you can take a dip in the potholes.
#4 God’s Window & Rainforest
God’s Window is a highly renowned viewpoint along the Panorama Route. The view is beautiful, but an even better tip is to continue walking from God’s Window to the ‘Rainforest.’ It’s an impressive hike through a small rainforest, and once you reach the top, the view is even more spectacular than at God’s Window.
#5 Three Rondavels (Blyde River Canyon)
Hopefully, you visit on a clear day because this fantastic view can sometimes be spoiled by dense fog. So, check the weather forecast in advance and go later in the day when the temperatures rise, and the fog tends to dissipate. You’ll have a broad view of the Blyde River Canyon from here. The Three Rondavels are three gigantic hills, each about 700 meters (2296 feet) high, formed by erosion. It’s the perfect spot to capture beautiful photos.
#6 Berlin Falls
This waterfall is particularly beautiful after heavy rainfall. Unfortunately, we were there during the dry season, so only a small amount of water was cascading down the high cliff. As a result, we found it less impressive compared to the other waterfalls along the Panorama Route, but it certainly deserves a place on this list.
#7 The Pinnacle
Make sure to plan a brief stop for Pinnacle Rock during your road trip along the Panorama Route. The Pinnacle is a 30-meter-high (98-feet-high), freestanding rock located in a gorge.
#8 Lisbon Falls
This waterfall is a staggering 94 meters (308 feet) high, making it the tallest waterfall along the Panorama Route. Don’t just admire the waterfall from the first viewpoint, but walk a little further because the view only gets better from there. If you want to see this massive waterfall up close, you can also embark on a cool 40-minute hike downhill.
#9 Lowveld view (Blyde River Canyon)
Between Bourke’s Luck Potholes and Three Rondavels, you’ll find another incredibly beautiful viewpoint overlooking the Blyde River Canyon. Unlike the other viewpoints, this one is completely free. It’s definitely worth taking a look and enjoying the view.
What is a good base for the Panorama Route?
There are several towns near the Panorama Route. We chose to stay in Graskop. Graskop is centrally located on the Panorama Route and offers many good hotels and restaurants. It’s a great town to stay for two nights. We recommend having dinner at The Glasshouse in Graskop. This restaurant is so well-regarded that even during the low season, you need to make a reservation. Without a reservation, the chances of getting a table are very slim. Another advantage is that when driving from Johannesburg to Graskop, you can already visit two waterfalls along the way. This allows you to take it a bit easier the next day. The waterfalls you’ll come across are Mac Mac Falls and Lone Creek Falls.
Our favorite places in Graskop
Rustique is a wonderful place to stay in Graskop. This small-scale hotel is run by a very hospitable owner who has paid great attention to the room’s decoration. For chilly nights, there’s a heater and an electric blanket. Another fantastic place to stay is Zur Alten Mine. Here, you’ll stay in a chalet equipped with all the amenities you need, such as a heater, a kitchen, a comfortable bed, and a barbecue. The chalets offer plenty of privacy, allowing you to truly enjoy the tranquility of nature. It’s located slightly outside the town of Graskop, so it’s recommended to stay here only if you have a rental car.
  Rustique |
  Zur Alten Mine |
