Epic Panorama Route

The Epic Panorama Route is an amazing road trip that starts and ends in the city of Hoedspruit in the Republic of South Africa. The route covers a distance of ca. 282km and is best completed in 3 days. The best time of year to drive the route is during the dry season when the landscapes and nature are at their most spectacular. The route takes in the towns of Graskop and Matibidi, and the overall road conditions are good. The Epic Panorama Route provides an unforgettable experience, with breathtaking views and lots of opportunities for sightseeing and exploring. It is suitable for all drivers, and can be managed on a moderate budget. Whether you are looking for a relaxing drive or an adventure, the Epic Panorama Route is sure to provide a memorable experience.

Hoedspruit, located in the Limpopo Province of South Africa, is the starting point of the Epic Panorama Route. It is a pleasant town surrounded by mountains, rivers and bushveld, making it the ideal destination for outdoor enthusiasts. The picturesque town is home to some of the best attractions in the region. The Moholoholo Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre is a must-visit for animal lovers, where visitors can see the rehabilitation and rescue of wild animals. The nearby Kapama Game Reserve offers the chance to view the Big Five in their natural habitat. The J.G. Strijdom Tunnel and the Blyde River Canyon are also worth a visit. The closest international airport to Hoedspruit is the Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport (IATA: MPM). Car rental services are available at the airport, making it easy to explore the Epic Panorama Route. Hoedspruit is the ideal starting point for the Epic Panorama Route. With its stunning natural beauty, wildlife attractions, and car rental services at the airport, it has something for everyone.

Embark on a road trip from Hoedspruit to Graskop and explore the best of the South African bushveld. This 114 km journey will take you fewer than 3 hours and will give you a chance to admire the scenic beauty of the area. A 4WD car is advisable for this section of the journey as there may be lack of gas stations. Along the way, make sure to visit the Moholoholo Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre and the nearby Kruger National Park. The centre is home to a variety of animals, including lions, cheetahs, and wild dogs, while the park is home to some of the most amazing wildlife in the world. At the end of your journey, make sure to stop in Graskop and visit the Big Swing, where you can take a thrilling ride over the scenic Blyde River Canyon. For more information about attractions, accommodation options, recommended restaurants, and campsites along the route, please refer to the Itinerary of this stage. Enjoy your journey!

Embark on an exciting road trip from Graskop to Matibidi! This 65 km drive will take you less than an hour, so you'll have plenty of time to take in the spectacular views that the route has to offer. Make sure to have a 4WD car for this stretch, as the roads can be a bit rough. There are also few gas stations along the way, so make sure to fill up before you start your journey. The first stop is the Graskop Gorge Lift Company, where you can experience the breathtaking views of the Lowveld from the top of the gorge. You can then continue your journey to God's Window, a natural viewpoint with incredible panoramic views of the Lowveld. After that, you can visit Mac Mac Falls, a beautiful waterfall located in the Mac Mac forest. Your final destination is Matibidi, a small village located in the heart of the Lowveld. Here you can visit the nearby Matibidi Nature Reserve, a great place to spot a variety of wildlife. For more information about attractions, accommodation options, recommended restaurants, and campsites along the route, please refer to the "Itinerary" of this stage. Enjoy your road trip!

Kick off your road trip from Matibidi, Republic of South Africa, and take the scenic route to Hoedspruit, just 102km away. This drive should take you less than two hours, and you’ll be able to take in the breathtaking views of the African landscape as you go. Keep an eye out for the occasional gas station, as they may be few and far between. As you drive, you’ll come across some of the most beautiful and interesting places in the area, from the rolling hills of the Matibidi Game Reserve to the lush vegetation of the Hoedspruit Nature Reserve. Make sure to take some time to explore and experience these magnificent places. Once you arrive in Hoedspruit, you’ll be able to find more information about attractions, accommodation options, recommended restaurants, and campsites along the route in the Itinerary of this stage. Enjoy your road trip!

The Epic Panorama Route culminates in Hoedspruit, Republic of South Africa. Situated in the Limpopo Province, this town lies in the heart of the Lowveld and is the gateway to the Greater Kruger National Park and the Blyde River Canyon. Hoedspruit is a great destination for those who enjoy outdoor activities. Tourists can go on game drives in the nearby game reserves and experience the thrill of seeing wild animals in their natural habitat. The town also has many hiking and biking trails, as well as hot air ballooning, horseback riding and quad biking. Visitors can also explore the Hoedspruit Endangered Species Centre, home to many endangered animals such as cheetahs, wild dogs, and rhinos. The African Ivory Route, a museum dedicated to the history of the ivory trade, is also worth a visit. For those interested in bird watching, the area around Hoedspruit is renowned for its rich bird life and the nearby Kruger National Park is a great place to see some of the more than 500 species of birds that inhabit the region. Hoedspruit is easily accessible by car, with the closest international airport being the Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport (IATA: MQP). With its abundance of wildlife and outdoor activities, Hoedspruit makes for a great end to the Epic Panorama Route.

Hopefully, the presented itinerary idea has become a great inspiration for your future holidays.
We’ve given you a base that can be easily expanded with your own original trip ideas.
If travelling by car is your plan when moving around Republic of South Africa, there are a number of important traffic regulations to follow and a number of things to remember to make your road trip smooth. These tips will surely become useful for holidaymakers who are considering hiring a car or hiring a camper in Republic of South Africa.
It is important to keep in mind the local road regulations when driving around Republic of South Africa. In Republic of South Africa, if you are planning to drive, try to stay away from spirits at all costs. Tourists should remember that the allowed consumption limit is not very high and is only 0.5‰. In order to avoid a speeding fine, it is best to never exceed 60km/h, which is the maximum car speed when travelling around the urban areas. If you are aiming for non-build-up areas, you should bear in mind that the maximum permissible speed is 120km/h. When driving along highways, you cannot exceed 120km/h. In order to stay safe, we recommend equipping your car with a first aid kit and fire extinguisher and driving with your headlights on during the day.
But what are the costs of the whole trip. Depending on the budget option that you are interested in, the amount of money that you have to pay during the whole itinerary may vary. Below, you will find the budget possibilities.
The cost of gasoline for the cheapest option to cover the planned 4 stages while travelling around Republic of South Africa can cost around 38 EUR. Holidaymakers will have to spend the average of up to 154 EUR on budget hotels. Food and restaurants in this option may cost roughly 144 EUR. If your aim is also the cheapest car hire option, you will pay approximately 162 EUR. Thus, going for vehicle rental will increase the costs of the road trip from roughly 336 EUR to more or less 498 EUR.
Holidayers who are interested in greater comfort and the standard option will pay approximately 50 EUR for the gasoline needed to cover the road trip. If you are into standard accommodation options, expect that the expenses may amount up to around 319 EUR. Travellers can expect that the standard option in terms of food and restaurants will cost approximately 216 EUR. Travellers who want to cover the tour in a standard hire car can expect a cost of roughly 243 EUR. Summing up the standard offer, the estimated cost of the road trip will total around 828 EUR for holidayers who would like to try car rental and 585 EUR for those who are not interested in rental.
The available premium option has been prepared with the most demanding holidaymakers in mind. When it comes to this offer, the estimated cost of the road trip will total roughly 1,333 EUR for holidaymakers who are considering vehicle rental and 585 EUR for those who do not need a rental car. Travellers who want to cover the road trip in a premium hire car can expect a cost of about 432 EUR. When it comes to the premium configuration of the tour, you should expect the average cost of more or less 63 EUR when it comes to fuel. Drivers who would like to go for top services in all aspects of their trip should expect to pay more or less 288 EUR for food and restaurants and roughly 550 EUR for accommodation.
Our itinerary will also be ideal for all camper enthusiasts, as it can be easily adjusted to their requirements. Holidaymakers have to pay approximately 675 EUR for camper hire service. You will spend more or less 75 EUR on fuel allowing to cover all stages of the itinerary. Holidayers who opt for camper rental should expect to pay roughly 165 EUR for overnight stays and about 144 EUR for expenses connected with food.
The Road Trip Costs section presents all the above-mentioned details in a straightforward way.
The part of Republic of South Africa described in our Epic Panorama Route is superb to be visited between November and March. Check out other intriguing road trips and scenic drives that we offer on our website. Hopefully, the great variety of travel opportunities will surely measure up to the expectations of the most demanding holidaymakers.