Visiting the Panoramic Route in South Africa? Discover how to make the most of your day with this one day Panoramic Route itinerary. Covering waterfalls, stunning views and even African animals (yes), this one day Panoramic Route itinerary will get you to the best of the best – regardless if you’re commencing it in Kruger or Johannesburg. Read on to learn more.
Where is the Panoramic Route?
The Panoramic Route is located in North-Eastern South Africa, just west of Kruger National Park. It is a popular drive due to its beauty (and proximity to Kruger!) and many people add it on to their travels before or after an African safari. We personally added it on after exploring Kapama Private Game Reserve (just next to Kruger).
Is one day enough for the Panoramic Route in South Africa?
Yes and no – depending what you want to see. Like all things, you can extend your travels and spend longer at places you want to see more at. We did the Panoramic Route over two days and personally, were we to do it again, I would just do it over one long day (with early morning starts and later arrivals). But this all depends on your own personal preference and how comfortable you feel driving in South Africa (this is not safety advice and this blog should not be taken as safety advice).
How many days do you need to see the Panoramic Route?
Like mentioned above, I would say one day is enough to see the Panoramic Route if you’re ready for a big day, otherwise you could split it up into two shorter days, or add more things in to extend it out to a longer 3 day trip. It is up to you, your itinerary constraints and what you particularly would like to see. If you are concerned about safety, it can be wise to extend your trip out so that you are driving less.
Things to know about the Panoramic Route before you go
There are two things I wish I knew about the Panoramic Route before I went, and I don’t want these to put you off if you’re heading but firstly it is very touristy and secondly as a result, you have to pay to see things. Now the fees used to be quite small, but from what we saw below it ended up being about £12 / $24 AUD pp to see what we did. This still isn’t very expensive but it felt like a bit of a tourist rip-off, especially for the waterfalls, where a person collecting payment stood between you and the view you’d look at for about a minute before leaving. Just something to keep in mind.
Things to see on the Panoramic Route in one day: Your One Day Panoramic Route Itinerary
Please note this itinerary is written from Kruger (starting at Hoedspruit) to Johannesburg (east to west) but you can reverse this if you would prefer to do it the other way.
1. Admire the View
It’s called the Panoramic Route for a reason! If you’re lucky enough to call shotgun, take advantage of the incredible view you’ll experience – we particularly enjoyed the view between Kruger and the Three Rondavels.
2. Three Rondavels
Your first stop on the Panoramic Route is arguably the best spot: The Three Rondavels. Found on the northern end of the Panoramic Route (Google Maps location here). There is an entrance fee of 60 Rand per person (£2.60/ $5AUD) but this spot sure is worth it. When we visited there were also tour buses that came but there was a lot of room to walk around and see the view without getting in each other’s way.
3. Bourke’s Luck Pot Holes
One of the most famous spots on the Panoramic Route (and from our experience, certainly the busiest) is the Bourke’s Luck Pot Holes. At 130 Rand per person (£5.60/$10.80 AUD) this was the most expensive place we entered on the Panoramic Route, but I would say it was worth it. There were a large number of tour groups and primary school groups here when we visited so the place is quite busy but it was very beautiful, in an outback-rustic style way. It reminded me quite a lot of the Northern Territory in Australia. Bourke’s Luck Pot Hole is found just a 20 minute drive south from the Three Rondavels (Google Maps directions here).
4. Berlin Falls
The Panoramic Route is home to a number of waterfalls and Berlin Falls is a really beautiful one. Found just a 25 minute drive from Bourke’s Luck Pot Holes (Google Maps directions here), this waterfall can be viewed from the top for the price of 20 Rand (80p/ $1.70AUD) per person. You won’t need more than a few minutes here but it’s a nice viewpoint. Like a lot of the Panoramic Route (and South Africa, to be fair), Berlin Falls reminded me of Australia – specifically Purling Brook Falls.
5. God’s Window
Continuing on your one day Panoramic Route itinerary and you’ll come to God’s Window. This is another well-known Panoramic Route sight. Please note that often tour guides will show a photo of the Three Rondavels when talking about God’s Window (not sure why) but these are two very different lookout points (about 40 minutes drive from each other as well!) each with their own beautiful features. Entry to God’s Window is 40 Rand (£1.75/ $3.30AUD) per person and you’ll find God’s Window approximately 15 minute drive from Berlin Falls (Google Maps directions here).
6. Pinnacle Rock
Just a quick 5 minute drive from God’s Window and you’ll arrive at Pinnacle Rock (Google Maps directions here). Entry to Pinnacle Rock was 30 Rand (£1.25/ $2.40AUD) per person and you can admire the view of this rocky outcrop as it rises out from the surrounding greenery. Again, while it is beautiful, you won’t need more than a few minutes here as well.
7. Graskop
Take a break from your sight-seeing with a visit to Graskop. We stayed overnight at Graskop when we did the Panoramic Route, but this would be an easy mid-way point for those travelling through. While we didn’t try them ourselves, Harrie’s Pancakes is a popular (touristy) spot to grab some food on your way through before heading back for the longer drive to Johannesburg. You can find Graskop on Google Maps here.
8. Alzu-Petroport
It’s time to head back to Johannesburg, but don’t forget to fuel up at Alzu-Petroport. While this wasn’t initially on our itinerary (a service station? We’ll be okay), we kept being told by a number of people to stop here. It was clear why Alzu-Petroport should be on your one day Panoramic Route itinerary – in addition to having everything you need (petrol, food, shopping) – the back of it is also home to many African animals! Grab a refreshment and enjoy the animals as they relax near the water’s edge. You can find its exact location on Google Maps here.
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