Oh Barberton… in the beautiful province of Mpumalanaga lies a small town which has captured the hearts and piqued the interests of many tourists. Rich in history and packed with attractions, Barberton is a popular tourist destination, and one to add to your list, if you have not been yet.
Winters in Barberton are mild, with temperatures not dropping too low - so if it's an escape from a colder part of the country (or world!) we’ve got you covered. Our summers are not quite as balmy as the bigger city of Nelspruit, offering a bit of cooler respite for locals. The destination, with its many attractions, is indeed a place to enjoy all year round. Let’s take a look at what you can find in and around Barberton.
Barberton Makhonjwa Mountains
Think: mountains older than the continents. If that doesn’t leave you a little in awe, we’re not sure what will. The Barberton Makhonjwa Mountains is a World Heritage Site, rising 1800 meters above sea level and covering approximately 80% of the Mpumalanga Province. These iconic mountains date back before the continents even existed, estimated at being 3.6 billion years old. Why not come and explore the majestic beauty of the Barberton Makhonjwa Mountains in Mpumalanga.
The Barberton Nature Reserve
This 27 541 ha nature reserve is situated in an area of great landscape beauty and very high species diversity. These factors contribute to its conservation importance. The reserve has a gorgeous landscape, including “The meeting of the Hills”; the Noord Kaap River; a steep escarpment on the Northern side and lower hills on the Southern side of the valley. Take a trip to Barberton Nature Reserve and explore the serene outdoors.
Birding in Barberton
Peddlar’s Bush is a small 60 hectare oasis of indigenous woodland. It is set amongst pine plantations and is known to be a bird lover’s paradise! If you’re a birder it’s a must-see, with some people known to have spent days hiding out in order to spot many elusive birds such as the Orange Ground-thrush or Bush Blackcap.
Rimer’s Creek is another spot for birders to explore. The area itself is a forest environment, very lush and home to 107 different species of birds, including the Emerald Cuckoo, Knysna Turaco (Lourie), Narina Trogon, Gorgeous Bush-Shrike and Eastern Nicator.
It’s time to get to Barberton! Explore our website for many articles outlining Barberton, what you can do there, why you’ll love it, and why you’ll be back time and again!
