Enquire
Why book with us?

What are you looking for?

Hello traveller!

It's in Cape Town now.

We're sorry. Our safari planners aren't available now. Our office hours are 08:00 - 19:00 (GMT+2).

Call us to speak to an experienced safari planner.


Alternatively, we recommend...

travel-form-icon

Complete our travel enquiry form to connect with a safari planner

ENQUIRE TODAY

The Panorama Route

Africa's best authentic tailor-made safaris

The Panorama Route in Mpumalanga is known for its dramatic scenery, including waterfalls, canyons, and historic towns. One of South Africa’s most scenic drives, you’ll pass iconic spots including God’s Window, Lisbon Falls, Berlin Falls, the Pinnacle, Bourke’s Luck Potholes, and Blyde River Canyon.

If you want your holiday in South Africa to be full of experiences in nature and stunning views of the wilderness, this is a route you can’t miss.

Must-Visit Areas on the Panorama Route

Blyde River Canyon
Blyde River Canyon has lush subtropical covering | Photo: Getty

From hiking to waterfalls and exploring the wilderness on horseback to breathtaking viewpoints, here are just a few options for a Panorama Route holiday in South Africa:

Blyde River Canyon: Largest Canyon in South Africa

The third-largest canyon in the world, Blyde River Canyon has lush subtropical covering. You’ll be mesmerised by the stunning green hills and blue waters.

Thanks to the geology and climate, there are incredible waterfalls you can visit. Here, you can walk in some of the largest man-made forestry plantations in the world with pine and eucalyptus trees.

Besides hiking, you can go horse riding, white-water rafting, fly-fishing, biking, and on boat trips on the Blyde Dam.

God’s Window: Spectacular Views

With its breathtaking views, you’ll quickly see why this viewpoint is called God’s Window. See sweeping views of canyons, rock formations, forests, and waterfalls.

Located within Blyde River Canyon, from this spot you can also explore numerous walking, hiking, horse, and mountain bike trails.

This is a very popular spot along the Panorama Route, so expect crowds hiking to this viewpoint, especially during the high season (November through to March).

Bourke’s Luck Potholes: A Natural Wonder

The Bourke’s Luck Potholes are located at the start of Blyde River Canyon and are unique geological formations.

They’re the result of many years of swirling eddies of water where the Treur River meets the Blyde River, which has caused significant water erosion over time.

Due to this process, this is now a spot featuring fascinating cylindrical rock sculptures among pools of water.

When’s the Best Time to Visit the Panorama Route?

The Panorama Route Gods Window
The Panorama Route is a year-round destination | Photo: Getty

The Panorama Route is a year-round destination. For comfortable temperatures and to avoid large holiday crowds, visit during autumn (March to May) or spring (September to November). You’ll also avoid the winter weather.

Summer (December to February) brings hot temperatures as well as rain. While the landscapes are lush, the wet weather can impact activities.

Wildlife Found on the Panorama Route

The region supports a variety of birdlife, including the African finfoot bird | Photo: Getty

In the Blyde River Canyon Nature Reserve, you can hike to see samango monkeys, nocturnal greater and lesser bushbabies, chacma baboons, and vervet monkeys.

This region supports breeding Taita falcons; other bird species found here include the Cape vulture, black stork, peregrine falcon, and Cape eagle-owl.

How to Get to the Panorama Route

You’ll fly into Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport, the closest airport to the Panorama Route. From the airport, it’s a two- to three-hour road transfer to Blyde River Canyon.

 

Ready to plan your tailor-made safari?

904 Reviews - 5/5 Stars

Craft your journey with the expertise of our dedicated Africa Safari Experts

Start Planning

What Our Guests Have to Say?

Read recent reviews from travellers who have planned and booked their trips with us

star-iconstar-iconstar-iconstar-iconstar-icon
Trustpilot review

"All advising given by Discover Africa (in our case, by Justin Van Wyk) was really helpful and the programe they have outlined was great. Everything went really smooth and professional."

Luis Cortez, Portugal15 Apr 2026

Read More
star-iconstar-iconstar-iconstar-iconstar-icon
Trustpilot review

"We booked our safari trip through Justin van Wyk from Discover Africa, and we couldn’t be happier with the experience. He organized and booked everything from A to Z, so we didn’t have to worry about anything at all. Throughout the entire trip, we stayed..."

Gianluca, Switzerland12 Apr 2026

Read More
star-iconstar-iconstar-iconstar-iconstar-icon

"I had a great trip organised by Chrizaan. Everything went very smoothly including all of the pickups, flights and accommodation. I visited Namibia and loved seeing the dunes, springboks and oryx. I also visited the Okavango Delta and saw so many anim..."

Leanne Harrison, South Africa03 Feb 2026

Read More
star-iconstar-iconstar-iconstar-iconstar-icon

"Magic tour, the most beautiful sunset I have ever seen in all my life, I really love this ancestral land: nature, wise animals, and humans with very big heart."

Griselda Woo Gonzalez, Mexico12 Nov 2025

Read More
star-iconstar-iconstar-iconstar-iconstar-icon

"Our safari trip to South Africa was nothing short of spectacular and I would like to thank Chrizaan for putting together a wonderful itinerary for us. Our first contact with Discover Africa was with a consultant who was amazing and very personable. Our plan..."

Rick, Canada15 Oct 2025

Read More
star-iconstar-iconstar-iconstar-iconstar-icon

"We have returned again after Matthys arranged another trip for us for 2025, and we spent almost 4 weeks in May 2025, where we spent our time at Londolozi, Diulini Moya and Earth Lodge, and cannot thank Matthys enough. The camps we stayed at were once again ..."

Lana , Australia07 Aug 2025

Read More
View All Testimonials

Our safari traveller reviews are independently verified and sourced from trusted third-party review platforms.