Mpumalanga & Drakensburg

The northern reaches of the Drakensberg Mountains run through Mpumalanga, forming the famous Panoramic Route between Sabie and Graskop. This scenic drive winds through the breathtaking Blyde River Canyon, the third-largest canyon in the world after the Grand Canyon and Namibia’s Fish River Canyon. Dominated by the striking Three Rondavels and the towering Mariepskop, this region showcases some of South Africa’s most dramatic natural landscapes.

Along the route, the terrain shifts into rugged farmland where fruit, vegetables, and tobacco grow in rich red soil before the road leads into the historic gold-mining town of Pilgrim’s Rest. Further along are iconic viewpoints such as The Pinnacle, Jock’s View, God’s Window, and Wonderview, all offering sweeping vistas over cliffs, forests, and the Lowveld below.

North of these lookouts lie the scenic Lisbon and Berlin Falls, followed by the remarkable Bourke’s Luck Potholes, where walkways lead visitors over fascinating rock formations carved by centuries of river erosion. Beyond this point, the Blyde River flows northward into a magnificent gorge, completing one of the most beautiful stretches of the Drakensberg.