Hazyview and the Panorama Route Holidays

Subtropical canyons, sheer cliff drops and sweeping valleys as far as the eye can see, the Panorama Route is an impressively scenic journey through South Africa’s geographical drama. Hazyview, a small farming town, acts as a gateway for exploring the dramatic Mpumulanga Escarpment on a track that takes you past heaving waterfalls and limestone caves that are millions of years old.

While the landscape makes for an incredible drive, the journey is far from sedentary. Other than pulse-racing views, natural spectacles like the Blyde River Canyon offer riveting cliff-top hikes where you can spend hours exploring forest-draped slopes and otherworldly rocky peaks. Much of this route is deeply entrenched in history, once used as transport system between the towns of Lydenburg and Delagoa Bay. Nowhere else preserves this heritage like Pilgrim’s Rest, a strollable gold-rush era town with original architecture largely untouched since the 1800s.

Venture on this extraordinary route with the help of extensively travelled connoisseurs who can help you uncover the area’s natural treasures as well as the most spectacular vistas.

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Holidays in Hazyview and the Panorama Route

Full Day Panorama Tour

Hit the road on a full-day guided drive along the Panorama Route, where you’ll enjoy some of Mpumalanga province’s most spectacular landscapes. You’ll leave after breakfast, passing through the small farming town of Hazyview and on towards the highveld and Graskop, close to some of the Route’s most striking natural sights, such as the Pinnacle, God’s Window, Lisbon Falls and Berlin Falls.

Although the exact itinerary, and the order of it, depends on the weather as well as client preferences, you’ll have time during the day to stroll to admire one of the waterfalls, pause at key viewpoints such as the one overlooking striking rocky features such as the Three Rondavels and take in the dramatic beauty of the 25km-long Blyde River Canyon, the stunning centrepoint of the drive. You’ll also stop at the curious Bourke’s Luck Potholes, formed entirely by water erosion, which you can gaze down on from specially constructed overhead walkways.

Although it’s the scenery that forms the focus of the day, nature lovers will appreciate the rich variety of birdlife that thrives in the different biomes, from southern bald ibis to Cape vultures. Although lunch is not included, you’ll also take a break in Graskop or historic Pilgrim’s Rest – established in 1873 when gold was discovered nearby and now a heritage site – where there’s a choice of good, simple places to eat, such as eternal favourite Harrie’s Pancakes.

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