Choose your country and language:

Africa

  • Global
  • Angola
  • Botswana
  • DRC
  • Ethiopia
  • Ghana
  • Kenya
  • Malawi
  • Mozambique
  • Namibia
  • Nigeria
  • South Africa
  • Tanzania
  • Uganda
  • Zambia
  • Zimbabwe
  • shotLeft

Americas

  • USA
  • Argentina
  • Brazil

Asia Pacific

  • China
  • India
  • Japan
  • South Korea
  • Australia

Europe

  • France
  • Germany
  • Italy
  • Netherlands
  • United Kingdom
Back

TThe province of Mpumalanga is one of natural and historical diversity. It is also home to the Panorama Route, which is an exquisite part of the countryside showcasing some of the most beautiful vistas in the country, if not the world. The waterfalls here are particularly gorgeous, and plentiful. 

On the famous Panorama Route, you’ll be able to see more waterfalls in one outing than anywhere else in Southern Africa. The longest waterfall in the area is the Lisbon Falls.

Berlin, Lisbon and Mac-Mac; you’d be forgiven for thinking you were in Europe. The names speak to the original identity of miners who came to the area to pan for gold in the late 1800s. The Lisbon Falls is the highest in Mpumalanga and plunges 94km. Set in a bowl of hills, this is a great place to start your adventure along on the Panorama Route.

Did You Know?
YYou'll find proteas if you look carefully in this area. They're a long way from where you'd usually expect to see them in and around Cape Town, but do occur here too. The Blyde protea (Protea laetens) is endemic to this area.

BBeing located just north of Graskop and outside the ever-popular Blyde River Canyon Nature Reserve, Lisbon Falls is convenient and accessible to locals and to visitors from all over the world.

Alternatively, choose the Lisbon Falls as the endpoint and pack a picnic. While there, relax under shady trees in one of the most scenic picnic spots in the area. Watch out for the fascinating birdlife including tiny colourful sunbirds. You’re also likely to see Blyde River proteas (Protea Iaetans), one of the few places where you can see them outside of the Cape Floral Kingdom.

TThe little town of Graskop is centred on the forestry industry and is close to a host of the local tourist attractions and fun activities. As such, it is not only set within some of the most glorious scenery imaginable but is also a fantastic base from which to explore the area and indulge in the many things to do and see here.

Other sites on the Panorama Route include the Pinnacle, God's Window and Bourke's Luck Potholes. Nearby, you'll also find the Berlin Falls and Mac-Mac Falls, both of which are spectacular.

Lisbon Falls

Food
When to visit
How to get here
Who to contact
How to get there
Around the area
Tours to do
What it will cost
Length of stay
Where to stay
What to eat
Best buys

Related articles

Breathtaking scenery

The fascination of South African cave adventures

Breathtaking scenery
The fascination of South African cave adventures
South Africa offers a variety of caves for you to explore, from hominid fossil sites and ancient San cave paintings.
Breathtaking scenery

Peek through God’s Window to see the jewel of South Africa’s landscape

Breathtaking scenery
Peek through God’s Window to see the jewel of South Africa’s landscape
It is one of the most scenic vantage points in the whole of South Africa.
Breathtaking scenery

The Mac-Mac Falls - where double rainbows can be found every day

Breathtaking scenery
The Mac-Mac Falls - where double rainbows can be found every day
Tumbling 70m in two double streams, with water rainbows, white spray and a deep, dramatic pool, this is what waterfalls are supposed to look like.
Breathtaking scenery

Bongani Mountain Lodge: Stay here and forever hold onto your peace

Breathtaking scenery
Bongani Mountain Lodge: Stay here and forever hold onto your peace
aha Bongani Mountain Lodge offers guests with a peaceful retreat in the heart of Mpumalanga.
Breathtaking scenery

Mpumalanga

Breathtaking scenery
Mpumalanga
The Mpumalanga province is home to the beautiful Blyde River Canyon – one of the world's largest canyons, the Sudwala Caves – the world's oldest; and the Kruger National Park – arguably the world's most famous wildlife sanctuary.
Breathtaking scenery

The Sabie Waterfalls Route - a waterfall wonderland

Breathtaking scenery
The Sabie Waterfalls Route - a waterfall wonderland
The Sabie Waterfalls Route in Mpumalanga is one of South Africa's best-kept secrets.
Breathtaking scenery

Take an unforgettable road trip in the Great Karoo

Breathtaking scenery
Take an unforgettable road trip in the Great Karoo
Spanning nearly 400 000km2 in the geographic midriff of South Africa, the Great Karoo must be one of the quietest places on Earth.

South Africa on social media

Copyright © 2023 South African Tourism
|Terms and conditions|Disclaimer|Privacy policy