The Panorama
Route
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Whether you are
renting
Jabulani
self-catering lodge
on the Kruger Park
Lodge resort,
attending on of our
wildlife courses or
wish to book a
safari holiday with
Afreco Tours The
Panorma route is
worth a
visit and is a
must-see attraction
of the Mpumalanga
province of
South Africa.
The Panorama Route
is one of the most
beautiful and
popular travel
destinations in
South Africa. It
leads through the
rugged mountain
range of the
northern Drakensberg
in the Mpumalanga
province of South
Africa. The Panorama
Route - Mpumalanga
South Africa The
Panorama Route
passes the
north-eastern part
of the Great
Escarpment, the
inland plateau
declines abruptly
and steeply and
opens up fantastic
views of the plains
of the Lowveld a
thousand metres
below. This view is
most reliable in the
dry winter months.
At other times the
spectacle is often
impaired, since the
escarpment is a
barrier for the
clouds coming from
the east, rising at
this point and
bringing a lot of
rain.
The most spectacular
stretch of the
Panorama Route is
the Blyde River
Canyon. From many
well-positioned
vantage points one
has a view of the 33
km long gorge, which
starts at "Bourke's
Luck Potholes" and
ends at the "Three
Rondavels". The
Potholes are very
impressive rock
formations that were
shaped millions of
years ago by
erosion. The bizarre
swirl holes
developed when the
once rapid river
carried masses of
sand and debris.
Hazyview, gateway to
the Kruger National
Park and the hub of
adventure activities
also offers a vast
selection of
accommodation, tours
and safaris to
ensure every holiday
is a memorable one.
Home to the Park's
new Phabeni Gate,
only 16kms from
Numbi Gate and a
mere 25 mins drive
from the Paul Kruger
Gate, Hazyview is
the ideal base from
which to explore the
natural wonders and
the Big 5. |
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Bourke's Luck Potholes |
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 The Potholes were named after a gold digger, Tom Burke, who staked a claim nearby. Although his claim did not produce a single ounce of gold, he correctly predicted that large gold deposits would be found in the area.
The Potholes are located 35km north of Graskop town on the R532 road.
Photo: SATOUR |
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Blyde River Canyon & The Three
Rondavels |
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| See the spectacular Blyde River Canyon and the Three
Rondavels. |
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The Blyde River Canyon Nature Reserve lies to the
North of Graskop and is a narrow strip that runs for
approximately 57 km along the Drakensberg
escarpment, the canyon is 16km long. It is by far
one of the great scenic wonders of Southern Africa.
There are a number of view points along the edge of
the escarpment. The reserve is known primarily for
the outstanding natural beauty of the canyon as well
as the numerous endemic and endangered fauna and
flora species present. The illusive leopard is still
found in this nature reserve as well as numerous
antelopes and other species.
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A boat trip on the Blyde River Canyon Dam (above) is
highly recommended! Our 10 day
Kruger National Park Safari
will take you there. You will definitely see hippo,
crocodiles are highly likely and even the occasional
leopard has been seen. This area is now a designated
National Park in South Africa, recently upgraded
from a Nature Reserve. |
The Three
Rondavels |
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| Dominating the Blyde River Canyon are the triplet mountain peaks known as the Three Rondavals. With breathtaking scenery this look out point will leave you with unforgettable memories. As a point of interest a rondaval refers to the classic round hut with a thatched roof. |
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Pilgrims Rest |
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A visit to Pilgrims rest is well worth the effort. Set in rolling countryside it is steeped in the history of the gold rush in South Africa.
The history of this small delightful village dates back to 1873 when a miner, Alex Patterson, discovered alluvial gold on the farm named Ponieskrantz. Though the discovery was kept as a secret, the inevitable happened when a second prospector William Trafford also discovered gold close by. |
 
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On 22nd September 1873 Pilgrim's Rest was officially proclaimed a gold field and the scatter of tents and rudimentary shacks soon grew into a flourishing little village complete with sturdy brick houses, church, shops, canteens, a newspaper and the well-known Royal Hotel.
The diggers called it Pilgrim's Rest because here, at last, after so many false trails and faded dreams they had truly found their home. In due course the alluvial deposits were depleted and the locals turned to forestry, but their village, whose residents still number in the hundreds, has been painstakingly preserved as a "living museum" and major South African tourist venue. |
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Berlin Falls |
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 Close to God's Window and north of the town if Graskop are the mighty Berlin Falls. The falls can be reached by means of a trail along the river where the water from the Berlin Creek falls over 150 m into a large pool. There is also a viewing platform accessible from the car park and it is possible to walk over to the falls from that point. |
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God's Window |
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| Well worth a visit if you are exploring the area by car or on a tour is God's Window. It offers magnificent views across the Blyde River Canyon and the Lowveld. You can walk along the paths to various view points and you'll be treated to some spectacular endemic flora & fauna on the way. |
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| Through fissures in the mountain side you are greeted with stunning views across the rocky escarpment and forested landscape that lies 1,000 meters below you and disappearing through the distant haze is Mozambique. The Kruger National Park and the mountains to the west can be seen in the distance on a clear day if you are lucky. |
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