Kruger Park via the Panorama Route
The Panorama Route, Mpumalanga: The Panorama Route is best known for its cultural heritage and its landscapes. The Panorama Route hosts adventures activities as well as some more placid pastimes.
The region includes: The Blyde River Canyon Nature Sanctuary, home to spectacular wildlife, birdlife and plant-life and some of the most spectacular views in the country. The Blyde River Canyon is the third largest canyon of its kind in the world. Other highlights include the waterfalls in Graskop and Sabie, and the Echo Caves .You can also view trails left behind by the Voortrekkers in regions such as Lydenberg and Orighstad,.
Graskop: Graskop is ideally located in the heart of the tourism region and is the gateway to the Panorama Route. Graskop is a small town found on the edge of the Drakensberg escarpment and is ideally situated for people wanting to visit the Kruger National Park, Pilgrims Rest, Blyde and the River Canyon
Graskop is also only a few minutes away from God’s Window, Bourke’s Luck Potholes and the world renowned Blyde River Canyon, Three Rondawels and the impressive waterfalls such as Lisbon and Mac Mac Falls.
God’s Window has truly dramatic views to the South and East from various viewpoints, overlooking the almost 300m drop into indigenous forest clad ravine. Being 250m higher than the pinnacle viewpoint, the total drop to the lands below is approximately 750m. The Blyde River Canyon is the third largest in the world and one of South Africa’s popular scenic wonders.
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Graskop is also famous for the story ‘Jock of the Bushveld’ which dates back to between 1885 and 1887. Paradise Camp is where Sir Percy Fitzpatrick established his camp. Two chapters in his book are set in this area.
Graskop boasts a vast array of exciting activities including fantastic golf courses, hiking trails, 4×4 trails, horse riding, quad bikes, motorbike tours and much more! Graskop is also well known for its delicious pancake bars and coffee shops!
Hazyview:
Hazyview is a town in South Africa’s Mpumalanga province which is ideally situated just a few kilometers outside the Kruger National Park.. Most of Mpumalanga’s private game reserves are found just east of Hazyview.
Among the many destinations, many tourists enjoy visiting the Shangana Cultural Village on the R535 to Graskop. Here many curios can be bought. It is also an educational visit where one can gain an insight of the cultures in the area.
One of the most popular activities in Hazyview is to go hot air ballooning over the shimmering valley. The views are truly spectacular and unforgettable and leave you with everlasting memories of the area.
Hazyview has an array of delightful restaurants and pubs. The Windmill Wine shop offers a selection of wine and good food and for beer lovers, The Brewery and Summerfield’s Kitchen brew their own different beers! There accommodation facilities in Hazyview including some fantastic guest houses, bed & breakfasts and excellent hotels.
Pilgrims Rest:
Pilgrim’s Rest is situated on the Panorama Route .
The town of Pilgrim’s rest has been declared a national monument. Here, visitors can relive the days of the old Transvaal gold rush.
The history of this village dates back to 1873 when a miner, Alex Patterson, discovered gold on the farm named Ponieskrantz. Though the discovery was kept as a secret, once a second prospector named William Trafford also discovered gold close by, the inevitable happened. Soon after, optimistic panners and prospectors from all over the country and the World came to the area.
On 22nd September 1873 Pilgrim’s Rest was officially proclaimed a gold field .
Shacks soon grew into a flourishing little village complete with sturdy brick houses, shops, churches, canteens, a newspaper and the well-known Royal Hotel. Within a year there were 21 stores, 18 canteens, 3 bakeries.
Today, Gold Panning is still practiced by people. From curio and craft shops to historical sights, one can never be bored. Interesting historical sites include old church buildings, namely Sacred Heart Church, St Mary’s Church, Methodist Church and Dutch Reformed Church, Dredzen Shop and House Museum, Historic Cemetery, Joubert Bridge, Digging Museum & Gold Panning and the Printing Museum.
There are arts and crafts shops where one can purchase pottery, stained glass, weaving, hot glass and even custom crockery. Other activities include horse riding, bird watching, and hiking, mountain biking and golfing. The Mount Sheba Nature Reserve offers walks with spectacular sceneries.
Sabie, Mpumalanga:
Sabie lies in the centre of one of the largest man-made forests in the World. The town is named after the Sabie River which is well known for its fearful crocodiles as well as harsh currents. Sabie also originated as another gold rush town.
The earliest inhabitants of the eastern escarpment region of Sabie were the Bushmen or San people. This was deduced from the rock paintings, engravings, artifacts and stone tools found in the area.
Sabie is an ideal holiday destination that caters for the whole family. Sabie has exciting activities including 4×4 Trips, swimming, fishing, abseiling, archery, ballooning over the shimmering valleys, bird watching, boating and sailing, Helicopter Flips, white-water rafting, rock climbing, and hiking.
The Bridal Veil Falls resembles a bridal veil and is approximately 6km from the town. After a challenging but enjoyable 750m walk through the lush indigenous forest, one can hear the sounds of the roaring waterfall. The Bridal Veil Falls is truly spectacular and over 70m high! The Horseshoe Falls was aptly named so as it is in the shape of a horseshoe and is also an exquisite sight!
There are curio shops which all stock a fine selection of African Art, Crafts and Curios.
Sabie has a few wonderful hotels and guest houses as well as excellent restaurants such as the Loggerhead and the Fig Tree, serving up fresh local trout.
Blyde River Canyon, Mpumalanga, South Africa: The Blyde River Canyon Reserve extends along the Blyde River Canyon’s winding path.
Blyde River Canyon Nature Reserve: The fresh mountain scenery and panoramic views over the Klein Drakensberg escarpment are quite spectacular and give the area its name of ‘Panorama Route’. Viewpoints are named for the spectacle they offer, and God’s Window and Wonder View hint at the magnitude of the scenery.
Long Tom Pass, Mpumalanga: The Long Tom Pass is filled with beautiful mountain ,exciting outdoor activities that will keep the whole family entertained. The Long Tom Pass gets its name from the Long Tom cannons used during the Anglo-Boer war. It was originally the route followed by pioneer wagon drivers transporting goods from Mozambique to Lyndenburg.
Today however, as you travel on the new tarred road, you will still see the old road twisting over its dangerous course but the danger is no longer present.
Misty Mountain is a 280 hectare South African Natural Heritage Site situated on the spectacular Long Tom Pass. Misty Mountain is uniquely set in mountainous countryside with majestic views across the escarpment and into the lowveld.
Trout fishing in dams with equipment available to hire and guided quad biking excursions are just a few of the activities to do in the Long Tom Pass area. God’s Window, Mpumalanga:
Situated on the Drakensberg escarpment in Mpumalanga is God’s Window. Just one look down and you will begin to understand why it is called “God’s Window”.
With magnificent views, canyons, rock formations and waterfalls, God’s Window is truly an area of breathtaking scenic splendor. It is no wonder that Mpumalanga is known as Paradise Country! Gods Window is so called for the panoramic view of the Lowveld more than 900 m down into lush indigenous forest clad ravine. The majestic cliffs plunge over 700 meters to the Lowveld and the private game reserves which have made the area one of Africa’s main wildlife destinations. God’s Window is a small part of a 250km long earthwork of sheer cliffs and extravagant beauty. One can observe the hills and forests as far as the eye can see. In fact, it seems as if one can see forever!
Viewing sites are provided along the length of the spectacular Blyde River Canyon including God’s Window, and there are numerous fantastic walks, hiking, horse and mountain bike trails. From the parking area a very steep stepped footpath along the edge of the escarpment leads to the actual view points. For the best lookout points and exotic forest plants, steer away from the crowds and hike up into the clouds and the misty Rain Forest. Make sure you take a few refreshments along as it is very humid and an extremely steep and strenuous walk. God’s Window and Graskop are perfect en-route stopping points for those visiting the Kruger National Park.
There are curio stalls and toilet facilities at the parking area. For just R10 one can witness one of the most magnificent sites in South Africa. God’s Window is truly a popular sight and for good reason! One can spend hours here just admiring the unsurpassed scenery. It is a view that has inspired and awed thousands of painters and photographers from all over the world!
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