Panorama Route vs The Garden Route in South Africa

Once you have travelled and toured the Panorama route you can and will understand that the name is spot-on. Few people realise how extensive the Panorama Route actually is and even less have spent a week exploring this very scenic Route that actually consists of a network of roads along the eastern escarpment of Mpumalanga Province. The highlights are sold to Tourists and during a tight program they see the three Rondavels, Bourke's Luck potholes, Gods Window, and Pilgrim's Rest and if the program permits they may stop at one of the may waterfalls cascading over the escarpment. They will not feel shortchanged because the beauty is spectacular with towering Mountains deep canyons and a diversity in flora to be seen. Pilgrim's Rest was a gold rush town that even today represents a feeling of the wild days when gold fell into the hands of ordinary people and all the trappings that accompanied that era. History even tells a story of a robber that was put in his grave at odd ends with the towns graves, because of his reputation.

Sir Percy Fitzpatrick also found the Gold rush days fascinating and in his book of "Jock of the Bushveld" he describes the trails and tribulations that a runt named Jock experienced during those troublesome days.

Mountain Passes are a plenty with views that can only be described as wonderful. One should take the time to drive the Abel Erasmus, Longtom, Kowyn's Pilgrims and Robbers Passes and believe me there are quite a few more mountain passes that warrant a drive. the routes to Haziview, Barberton and Sabie are panoramic in every way, you may even find that the N4 between Malelane and Machadodorp is worth the drive, and don't be shy to try some of the back roads because although they have more timber carries they are less congested offering ample time to stop for that special photo.

You could spend two or three days just following the waterfalls in this beautiful countryside and for the more adventurous you will find treetop slides, cliff swings, rock-climbing, and a whole host of daredevil activities. the Panorama routes are a mecca for Mountain bikes and if you have a motorcycle the swoops and bends is an absolute pleasure, just a note though riding fast is dangerous because of the slow and lumbering trucks you will find in these mountains. If you drive the Abel Erasmus pass enjoy the pass but please do not fail to drive through to Hoedspruit because on your way and just a short distance off the main road you will find two fantastic Baobab trees on a farm and it is free to visit, I like having a cup of real South African Coffee (home grown in Sabie) at this spot. O, yes, before I forget, although the one tree has fallen over,  it is still growing and is only about 1840 years old, I would like to hear its life story.......