Just North of Graskop you will find Lisbon Falls, Panorama Route. This is one of the major natural attractions along this well known South African route in Mpumalanga.
We are actually shocked at how underrated this waterfall is!! We’d heard about it as “one of the viewpoints along the route” while researching what to do in Mpumalanga. It should honestly be a stand alone South African highlight (like Hiking Table Mountain and the Drakensberg Amphitheatre).
Although, maybe its slightly dimmer spotlight is one of the major reasons we loved it so much?
Lisbon Falls was our favourite Panorama Route attraction and here’s why:
Arriving at Lisbon Falls, Panorama Route
We only had one full day to explore the whole Panorama Route and Lisbon Falls was first on our itinerary. This was probably the best decision we made all day! We got there first thing in the morning before the full flock of December/January holiday tourists started to infiltrate !! It must have been around 8h40am.
The four of us jumped out the car and made our way towards the sound of falling water. We spotted the falls almost immediately from the wooden viewing deck just a few steps away from the parking lot.
Most people turn around after this viewpoint to make their way to the dozens of other beautiful sites along the route. We were also quite pressured for time so we completely get this – but if there’s one spot worth hanging around at it’s this one!!
Down we go
The hike down into the Lisbon Creek took us roughly 30 minutes. It is very steep and oh so lush !! At the bottom we passed a few crystal pools which form all the way down this flowing Blyde River tributary.
Although very inviting, we couldn’t stop ourselves from following the ever-closer sound of the waterfall.
Diving in
We made it to the base of the +-94 metre Lisbon Falls – the highest falls in Mpumalanga!
After all wandering around in separate directions we started to shout to each other over the roaring sound of crashing water, that
“we absolutely have to get in” !!
There is something so unreal about standing below a waterfall.
The wind blowing your hair in all directions, the ice cold spray hitting you straight in the face and the powerful crashing sound of water all around you. It literally creates chills all the way through your body. It’s almost like a sudden slap in the face from nature, waking you up from wherever you were before that moment!!
While I was in the water, both freezing and exhilarated, I was reminded of a travel quote that I have always loved:
“I hope there are days when you fall in love with being alive”.
This may seem like a lot of emotions just from a waterfall (insert laughing emoji), but it really was one of our favourites days!!
Getting to experience it with our besties was a huge part of that!! I think when you see your excitement shared on a loved one’s face it just amplifies your own! Not to mention it was just the four of us during our entire visit. When do you ever get an entire natural wonder all to yourselves?!
If you’re able to tear your gaze away from the falls, you may spot some local sunbirds and rare Blyde River Proteas.
What to pack
- Cash: R10 per car or R10 per person if you’re walking in
- Water for the hike back up
- Picnic snacks (why not)
- Swimming gear
- Waterproof adventure shoes
Our premium Aleader water shoes were perfect for this kind of outdoor adventure. They’re water friendly and offered great traction on the slippery rocks. Also they’re matching !!
If you want to buy a pair then feel free to use our 15% off discount code – THEMARRIEDWANDERERS15. Just apply the code at checkout. Here is a close up of Rudi’s Aleader Xdrain Classics.
View our South Africa page for more favourite travel spots
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