Areas Surrounding the Kruger National Park

Panorama Route

The area just to the west of the Kruger National Park is world-renowned for its stunning beauty and scenic viewpoints.

Known as the Panorama Route, it is the area where the highveld meets the escarpment as it leads down to the Lowveld and off to the Kruger National Park and Mozambique in the distance.

There are many spectacular attractions here that are well worth a visit, if you have the time. There's a huge choice of excellent accommodation in small, attractive towns on the Panorama Route such as Sabie, Pilgrim's Rest, Graskop, White River, Hazyview and Dullstroom.

If you're on a self-drive safari, you will probably pass through the area on your way to and from a Kruger Park safari, but try to take an extra couple of days to enjoy the scenery and activities on offer around here.

Blyde River Canyon

The most spectacular part of the Panorama Route is undoubtedly the 33km long Blyde River Canyon. The canyon begins at the beautiful rock formations that comprise Bourke's Luck Potholes and ends at the round and flat-topped mountain peaks known as the Three Rondavels.

All along the route, you will find unbelievable views at various stopping points. These viewpoints can be reached by taking the R532 from Graskop.

This great escarpment is the kind of place where brochures and guide books run out of original adjectives to describe the fresh mountain scenery and magnificent panoramic views.

The Blyde River Canyon is one of the most spectacular canyons in Africa and its cliffs rise 600 to 800m from the river bed.

At the Three Rondavels viewpoint (also called The Three Sisters) is an unforgettable view of three huge rock spirals that rise out of the far wall of the canyon. Their tops appear to have a hut-like rounded roof.

The Blyde River Canyon drops a thousand metres into the heavily wooded valley that goes on for miles. This offers the visitor absolutely stunning views from aptly-named spots such as God's Window, Wonder View, The Pinnacle and The Three Rondavels.

There are waterfalls where a short hike will lead you to a pristine pool in which to swim and cool off. Try your hand at trout fishing in this area of many rivers.

Bourkes Luck Potholes

Where the Blyde River (river of joy) and the Treur River (river of sorrow) meet, water erosion has formed one of the most remarkable geological phenomena in the country, known as Bourkes Luck Potholes.

Over thousands of years, surreal cylindrical rock sculptures created by whirling water, have formed a series of dark pools here that contrast artfully with the streaked white and yellow lichen-covered rocks.

More Breathtaking Views

Following the road and the Treur River south, there are further viewpoints; Wonder View, God's Window and the Pinnacle.

Their names help to conjure up the indescribable enormity and vastness of the scenery, but nothing can take the place of the sheer wonderment you feel when seeing nature's magnitude for yourself.

Towns and Cities in the Kruger Park Area:

• Hoedspruit
• Nelspruit
• Phalaborwa
• Sabie

Enquire now |  Add to my enquiry