PANORAMA CHALETS & REST CAMP

Relax in the cool clear water while your eyes look far into the distance.

Your accommodation with a view over the Mpumalanga Lowveld.

Panorama Chalets & Rest Camp is ideally situated on the Mpumalanga Escarpment.

The breathtaking view over the Graskop Gorge and Lowveld has captured many a heart. The high mountains and cliffs, the forests and grasslands, the waterfalls and rivers are all present and visible from this magical place. This is truly the ideal setting for your next holiday or stopover.

Panorama Rest Camp was established in 1965 by Mr Hennie Prinsloo. His vision was to provide a place of peace and tranquility for the traveler and holidaymaker. Many things have changed over the years because we believe that change is essential to stay in the market and fulfill the requirements that a traveller or holidaymaker need.

The chalets were upgraded from a basic room with communal ablutions to self catering chalets and more recent to more comfortable chalets. Even our name did not stay the same. Our name, as from October 2007, is Panorama Chalets & Rest Camp. There is one thing that has stayed the same although the world around us has changed over the years. Peace and tranquility at an affordable price. This is and will be our motto.

This is the place where guests, weary of city life, can relax in the tranquility, fresh air and wide open space. The more adventurous guests will be able to explore the area in and around Graskop where they can try their hand at abseiling, river rafting, horse trails and the big swing. For the guests that wants to know more there is a silk farm, coffee farm, caves and more to investigate.

• Our Facilities:

ART GALLERY

Visit our on site art gallery in “Divine Foods @ The View Restaurant,

We do regular Art Exhibitions. Please check our Facebook page for announcements.

KIOSK / SHOP

For the little necessities as well as arts and crafts, ice cream, cool drinks and more.

POOL WITH A VIEW

Our well-known cold water swimming pool was built around the natural rocks and on the very edge of the Graskop Gorge. This is a landmark to many of the guests we’ve accommodated in the past.

HIKING TRAIL

For the energetic people we also have a short hike of 1 to 2 hours just off the premises, which lead onto the edge of Graskop Gorge with the green beauty of the indigenous forest and waterfall views.

CONFERENCE OR GROUP ACTIVITIES

A small hall is available for functions, conferences and group activities for 30 to 50 people. Refreshments can be arranged.

LAUNDROMAT

Coin-operated washing machines and tumble dryers are available.

TV AND POOL ROOM

RESTAURANT

Divine Foods @ The View Restaurant is highly rated on TripAdvisor.

Hours: 8am to 8pm, Monday to Sunday.

Breakfast, light meals, and dinners.

Picnic baskets, small wedding- and group functions can be arranged.

Camping and Caravan in Graskop:

Panorama Rest Camp is a beautiful country and mountain caravan and camping ground on the edge of the Graskop Gorge with a breathtakingly beautiful view overlooking the Lowveld. Located on the R533 (Hazyview road), 2 kilometres from Graskop, it is easy to find, close enough to town but far enough to experience country living.

The small camp has 21 grassed stands. Some of the stands overlook the Graskop Gorge. We offer 220V/10A power outlets for each stand. Stand sizes vary in size. The smallest is 8X8m and the biggest 13X15m. The camp sites vary in degrees from level because of the higher rainfall during summertime.

The shade tree coverage is fair. The camp has Laundry facilities, camp kitchen with scullery and clean and neat ablution facilities. Every 2 stands share a dustbin. Drum braais are available on the sites. The camp is relatively wheelchair friendly.

THREE-STAR GRADED CAMPING

Panorama is proud of the 3 star TGCSA rating and strives to better your camping experience whenever you decide to visit. Panorama is a favourite holiday camp during school holidays and Easter weekend. Therefore you need to book well in advance for peak seasons. We have a night watchman from 7pm to 7am in conjunction with an electric fence for your security. Graskop town has had a sharp decline in crime levels for the last year and therefore it is a good choice when deciding to get away for a weekend or longer stay.

Attractions in the Mpumalanga Lowveld:

The Mpumalanga Escarpment region is world renowned for its scenic splendor and beauty, with a host of waterfalls and majestic view points of the Lowveld below, as well as the Blyde River Canyon. The distance indicated is from Graskop.

THE PINNACLE – 4KM

Located only 4km from Graskop, this 30m high quartzite “needle” rises dramatically out of the fern clad ravine, created by the Ngwaritsane River, over countless millennia. To the right and below, the viewing plateau from which can be seen only the topmost of eight waterfalls which take the river down approximately 450m in a series of alternating falls and cascades.

GOD’S WINDOW – 11KM

Dramatic views to the South and East from various placed viewpoints, overlooking the almost sheer 300m drop into indigenous forest clad ravine. Being 250m higher than the pinnacle viewpoint, the total drop to the lands below is approximately 750m.

LISBON FALLS – 8KM

At 92m, the Lisbon Falls are the highest in the area. The river separates into three streams as it plunges into the pool below.

BERLIN WALLS

This national monument is 45m high and came into being when over many eons the soft sandstone rock was eroded.

MAC MAC FALLS – 16KM

The twin 56m drop, the second highest in the region, which can be seen was originally a single fall, but in their eagerness to get gold some miners tried to divert the falls below. An over enthusiastic application of dynamite created the second fall, but whether it helped to find more quantities of gold was not recorded.

MAC MAC POOLS – 19KM

These are naturally formed swimming pools, and also a very popular picnic spot. The secretary bird hiking trail also starts from this point, which stretches from 1 – 2 hours, ranging from pristine forest to grasslands.

BOURKE’S LUCK POTHOLES – 32 KM

This Natural wonder marks the beginning of the Blyde River Canyon. Through countless years the swirling whirlpools, which occur as the Treur and Blyde Rivers meet, caused waterborne sand and rock to grind cylindrical potholes into the bedrock of the river. The informative Visitors Center details some of the interesting natural and socio-historic features and is the starting point of the 700m walk to the potholes.

THE THREE RONDAVELS – 52KM

Opening from South to North the majesty of the third largest and only green canyon in the world opens up for your delight. The Canyon is located in the Blyde River Canyon Nature Reserve which covers an area of 22 664 hectares. Of interest is the fact that the view point is around 1 380m above sea level, whilst the level of the dam when full is 665m above sea level.

SABIE AND ITS WATERFALLS – 32KM

The town of Sabie boasts 4 waterfalls, these being Lone Creek Falls, Sabie Falls, Bridal Veil Falls and the Horseshoe Falls. There is also a variety of activities, including a golf course to occupy one’s time.

PILGRIMS REST AND ENVIRONS – 15KM

The town was declared a living museum in 1973, and has a comprehensive museum and Information centre, which can assist you in great depth. The town also boast a 9 hole golf course and a huge variety of shops and restaurants to suite all walks.

KRUGER NATIONAL PARK – 50KM

This world renowned wildlife sanctuary is virtually on your doorstep and offers one the ideal opportunity to view the Big 5 in their natural environment.

WHITE LION PROJECT – 110KM

The first one of its kind, this project breeds what is known as the Timbavati White Lions, which are indigenous only to this region. Here one will have the opportunity to view these majestic cats in a controlled environment.

BREEDING CENTRE FOR ENDANGERED SPECIES – 100KM

Previously known as the Cheetah Breeding Centre, the sanctuary has broadened its wings to house most of the endangered species in our country. These include White Rhino, Wild Dogs, African Wild Cat and the Ground Hornbill. Here one will learn more about these fascinating animals and their environment.

Activities around Graskop:

HIKING TRAILS

The area has got a large variety of hiking trails on offer. These range from 1 hour walks to 3 day hikes.

BIG SWING

Located adjacent the premises of Mogodi Lodge, this adrenaline rush is the largest of its kind in South Africa, with a 68m free fall before the ropes tighten and swing you across the width of the Graskop Gorge. For the more faint hearted there is a foefie slide which goes over the Graskop Gorge, giving one a unique view of the waterfall below.

MOTORBIKE TOURS

Local tour operators offer a variety of motorcycle tours in the area, these tours are both on and off road.

QUAD BIKES

There is a variety of quad bike activities in the area, with tours ranging from 1 hour to full day trips for the more experienced rider.

4X4 TRAILS

Experienced 4×4 personnel will take you on a trip that you will never forget, showing some of the scenic splendor that the average person does not have the opportunity to see.

ABSEILING, RIVER RAFTING, HORSE RIDING

Adventure activities at Induna near Hazyview.

GOLF COURSES

The region boasts with none less than 6 excellent golf courses, this include 2 PGA courses at Sabie River Sun, and Whiteriver Country Club, and a unique experience at the Skukuza Country Club, where hitting a birdie can be something else to. Located only 15km from Graskop is the Pilgrims Rest Country Club, a 9 hole course with the cheapest green fees in the area.

GOLD PANNING

This sport from yesteryear has got an ever increasing following. Done in the historic town of Pilgrims Rest, affords one the ideal location to partake in this surprisingly active sport.

PAINTBALL

At Mac Mac Forest Retreat.

Events in the Mpumalanga Lowveld

• Induna Mountain Bike Race
• Clover Lowveld Cycle Tour
• Induna Cross Country (MTB)
• Extreme white water kayak race
• Sasol Rally
• Sabie Classic MTB
• Road and off-road marathon or half marathon running
• Gold Panning
• Forest2Falls