Panorama Route

The Panorama Route is the loop along the top of the Drakensberg escarpment in Mpumalanga where the highveld ends abruptly and drops to the Lowveld, and it strings together most of the region's set pieces: the Blyde River Canyon with the Three Rondavels, Bourke's Luck Potholes, God's Window, the Pinnacle, and a run of waterfalls - Lisbon, Berlin, Mac Mac, Lone Creek and Bridal Veil. Distances between them are short, so a day covers the highlights and two days does it properly with the Sabie falls included. Most of the sites charge a small entry fee individually, which adds up. The escarpment makes its own weather and cloud regularly hides the viewpoints; the dry winter months give better odds. Graskop is the usual base, with Sabie as the alternative, and gold-rush history at Pilgrim's Rest sits just off the loop.

What you actually see

• The escarpment edge - where the highveld ends and drops to the Lowveld plain.
• The Blyde Canyon - the Three Rondavels and the canyon rim viewpoints.
• The waterfall run - Lisbon, Berlin, Mac Mac, Lone Creek and Bridal Veil.
• Bourke's Luck - river-drilled potholes at the Treur and Blyde confluence.

When to go

April to September for clearer air. A day for highlights, two to do it properly.

Honest expectations

Cloud can erase the viewpoints for a whole day, particularly in summer. Each site charges separately and the fees accumulate. Car break-ins have been reported at several car parks. Waterfalls are much reduced in the dry season - the trade-off against clear views.

Nearby

Pilgrim's Rest is off the loop; Kruger's gates are down the escarpment.