Overview:
Experience the splendor of the Mpumalanga escarpment. The Panorama Route is one of the country’s most scenic drives, which explores the Mpumalanga highlands or the north-eastern section of the Great Escarpment of the Drakensberg. In these rugged mountains the plateau comes to an abrupt and dramatic halt, falling steeply away into the Lowveld accompanied by incredible views out over the grasslands of Africa.
The Panorama Route's popularity has much to do with its proximity to the Kruger National Park. It is often part and parcel of any organized trip to the game reserve. But it is also favored for the access it provides to one of the province's major scenic draw cards, the Blyde River Canyon. The Blyde River Canyon is one of the largest canyons on earth, and increasingly popular with overseas visitors.
What to expect on your Panorama Route Day Tour:
This Blyde River Canyon Day Tour departs from your Hotel, Lodge, Guest House or Bed and Breakfast establishment at around 08h00 and then heads toward Hazyview Holiday Township for a comfort stop at Perry’s Bridge Tourist centre. First destination is the small forestry town of Graskop situated at an altitude of 1400m above sea level.
The town is home to the regions latest attraction The Graskop Gorge Lift (entry fees for own account). The viewing lift takes visitors 51 meters down the face of the gorge into the forest below, where wooden walkways and suspension bridges meander along a 600 meter trail through the indigenous forest with interactive exhibits.
From Graskop we continue to the spectacular God’s window Lookout where there are a number of viewpoints overlooking the wide expanse of the Lowveld and the vast plains of the Kruger National Park below. There are several waterfalls in the region and our next stop will be at the 92m high Lisbon Falls before reaching The Bourke’s Luck Potholes.
This natural water feature marks the beginning of the Blyde River Canyon. Through countless eons the swirling whirlpools which occur as the Treur River plunges into the Blyde River caused waterborne sand and rock to grind huge, cylindrical potholes into the bedrock of the river.
From Bourke’s Luck Potholes it’s about a 30minute drive with mountains of Dolomite to the west and weird Quartzite and Sandstone formations to the east till we reach the Three Rondavels Viewpoint that overlooks the Blyde River Canyon. This is said to be the third largest “true” canyon in the world, after the Grand Canyon and the Fish River Canyon!! It’s about 25 km’s in length and 800 meters above the Blyde River, and took millions of years to form. It is truly a magnificent sight.
Tour ends back at your Hotel, Lodge, Guest House or Bed and Breakfast establishment late afternoon. A light lunch (drinks own account) is included.
Important Info:
Departure point: Hazyview/Nelspruit/Malelane (guests staying further afield are encouraged to contact us to discuss the possibility and additional costs if applicable of arranging return transport from their establishments)
Return details: Hazyview/Nelspruit/Malelane (guests staying further afield are encouraged to contact us to discuss the possibility and additional costs if applicable of arranging return transport from their establishments)
Departure time: 08h00
Duration: 8+ Hours
Mineral water, Light lunch, services of fully qualified and registered Tour Guide, round trip transport (terms & conditions apply). Tour conducted in luxury air-conditioned vehicle and led by qualified and professional Tourist Guide.
All meals and refreshments not specified, optional extras, expenses of personal nature, tips and gratuities (it is customary in South Africa to tip your guide/waiter, a general rule of thumb is to tip 10% of your excursion/meal price per person if you were satisfied with the services received)
Notes:
This Tour involves some light walking and exposure to the elements. Hats, sunscreen and comfortable walking shoes recommended.
Additional info:
Cancellation policy:
Please note that the deposit is non-refundable. Cancellation 30 days prior to arrival date and/or commencement of Safari/Tour/Activity - deposit plus 25% of total bill; 14 to 29 days - deposit plus 50% of total bill; 0 to 13 days - 100% of total bill.
Booking Enquiry
+27 (0) 82 556 1223 [email protected]
Chacma baboons are numerous in the Kruger National Park and live in huge troops numbering up to 200 animals (typically between 30-40). Troops consist of a family group of males, females and their young. Young baboons depend on their mothers for transportation, initially the little “pink foots” cling to the underside of the mother. At around 3 months of age they start riding “jockey style” on mommy’s back (leaning against the tail for support) as seen in this footage...
There are approximately 10000 Giraffes in the Kruger National Park. They are gregarious and live in nonterritorial loose groups of up to 20 at a time, a behaviour that apparently allows for increased vigilance against predators. They have excellent eyesight, and when one giraffe notices approaching danger it will keep staring until the others look in that direction too. Giraffes live up to 26 years in the wild and slightly longer in captivity.