The Panorama Route is the perfect detour for your drive between Johannesburg to Kruger National Park, creating a memorable South African roadtrip instead of a tedious haul. Sublime views of unique landscapes and so many massive waterfalls make this a really great adventure. You could get the essence of the area in a day, but there is enough here to base an entire trip!
Good to know:
+Driving in South Africa is on the left side of the road
+The roads are paved and in good condition unless noted otherwise
+Gas up before embarking, stations are infrequent
+There is a fee to just about every site (10-55 rand), have small bills
What to see:
+Three Rondavels and Blyde River Canyon
If you have time for one stop along the route, make it this! The third biggest canyon in the world, Blyde River Canyon is a jawdropping scene.
Just a few steps away from the parking lot there are two viewpoints leading to stunning geological formation, on the left you have the sundial and to the right the three rondavels, which look like the traditional grass huts they were named for. 
Bathroom and craft vendors available.
+Lowveld View
Just a short ride from the previous site and quite similar in landscape, but worth a stop to see the vista because it is free to enter.
+Bourke’s Luck Potholes
The priciest entrance fee along the route, but likely the place you’ll spend the most time at. 
A well maintained walking path leads visitors over bridges to see spectacular views.
The calm waters above the falls are great for tidepooling, there are many fish and tadpoles.
Vibrant dragonflies rest calmly beside the pools waiting for opportunity to arise.
Another great feature to this site is the little museum where you can learn about the geology and nature of the region: At the confluence of the Treur and Blyde Rivers, rapids caused narrow vertical fissures in the quartzite. The swirling force of the current and waterborne stones grind into the softer rock layers to form the unique potholes.
The Blyde River Canyon starts at the point. Additionally there is a short lichen trail beside the museum, often overlooked. Refreshments are sold here, unlike many of the other stops.
+Berlin Falls
Beautiful waterfall to behold, but not much walking allowed. Unfortunately, the path that would lead to the top of the falls and around the rim is restricted. 
Great for quick viewing, but if low on time or funds, skip this in lieu of more interactive opportunity.
+Lisbon Falls
Find a short and fun hiking trail that leads to an up close view of a spectacular waterfall along with the view of the surrounding valley.
It won’t take too long to enjoy the entirety of this place, but it is a memorable stop on the route.
+Wonder View
Practically right beside the popular paid ‘God’s Window’ stop, this vista that stretches for miles was empty and entirely free.
+The Pinnacle Rock
I really enjoyed this one geologically unique pillar sprouting out of dense flora, a well maintained trail leads to different perspectives of it.
+Mac Mac Falls
Most of the sites have craft vendors, but none of them corral you through the stands like this site does!
It was the only place that felt hawky, but after passing through that there is a nice little walk and its terminus is the tall and slender picturesque waterfall.
+Bridal Veil Falls
I’ll be frank, the road to get here is TERRIBLE! It was the worst road I drove in all of South Africa, but my 2WD car was fine taking it slow. That being said, the drive was absolutely gorgeous and the parking lot was quite full!
This site offered the most length of hiking trail, which was phenomenal to truly get out into nature. Walking to the waterfall is slightly uphill and reaching it doesn’t take too long. It has a unique combination of hues of pink rock wall, green vegetation, and a black rock lined pool.
Right before reaching the falls there is an additional trail marked simply with a bird. The ‘bird’ trail goes on for god knows how long, because there is no map – but it is well marked and I hiked along it happily for an hour with no sign of ending.
In this time, there were additional small waterfalls and some lovely views.
This is not an easy trail it is steep and sometimes precarious, but I didn’t find anyone else along it which made it quite peaceful.
Where to stay:
Sabie, Pilgrim’s Rest, and Graskop are popular towns to spend the night. Many resorts and hotels are dotted along the route, but I prefer staying at AIRBNBs to have the comfort of home and gather local tips. If you don’t already have an account, use my referral code to get a discount!
Next time?
+Waterfalls: Lone Creek Falls, Horseshoe Falls, Sabie Falls, Forest Falls
+Culture: The Shoe Museum, History of Pilgrim’s Rest
+Spelunking: Echo Caves, Sudwala Caves
+Dining: Harrie’s Pancakes in Graskop
Awesome post! Keep up the great work! 🙂