Where to start the Panorama Route?

Where to start the Panorama Route

There's no single best place to start the Panorama Route. The route is shaped like a double loop, or figure eight, so you can join it from several towns. 

The most popular starting points are Nelspruit (Mbombela), White River and Graskop. Sabie and Hazyview are traditional alternatives, and some people base themselves in Hoedspruit, Mashishing (Lydenburg) or Ohrigstad.

There isn't really a right answer. The best place to start depends on where you're coming from, which stops you most want to see, and whether you're combining the Panorama Route with a visit to the Kruger National Park. 

Here are the main advantages of each town.

Best places to start the Panorama Route

Nelspruit (Mbombela)

Best for: Arriving on the N4 and city feel. It has the widest choice of shops, restaurants and accommodation.

Keep in Mind: It's a city, and it's the furthest of these towns from the northern Blyde River Canyon viewpoints.

White River

Best for: A quieter base on the official route, close to the airport, and well placed for both the Panorama Route and Kruger. Good restaurant choices.

Keep in Mind: It is further from the northern Blyde River Canyon viewpoints.

Graskop

Best for: Being close to God's Window, the Graskop Gorge Lift and the waterfalls nearby.

Keep in Mind: It's a small town with less choice, and it's often misty.

Sabie

Best for: Having the waterfalls on your doorstep, halfway round the southern loop.

Keep in Mind: It's further from the northern canyon viewpoints. Small town with limited restaurant options.

Hazyview

Best for: Combining the Panorama Route with Kruger, since it's close to the park's southern gates.

Keep in Mind: It's not on the main loop, so you drive to Sabie or Graskop to join it.

Hoedspruit

Best for: Seeing the Three Rondavels and the Blyde River Canyon from the north, and combining the route with private game reserves.

Keep in Mind: It's far from the southern waterfalls and Graskop. Relatively further from Kruger and wildlife hotspots in the south of the park.

Mashishing (Lydenburg)

Best for: Arriving by road from Johannesburg on the Dullstroom side, then driving over Long Tom Pass into Sabie.

Keep in Mind: It has fewer places to stay near the main attractions.

Ohrigstad

Best for: Staying close to the northern loop and Echo Caves.

Keep in Mind: It's very small, with limited facilities.

If you're staying at ilanda Guest House in White River, you can reach the whole Panorama Route by day trips and still be close to Kruger.