Must-see attractions in Mpumalanga

  • A river flowing through a forest with dramatic mountain in the background at the Blyde Nature reserve.

    Blyde River Canyon Nature Reserve

    Blyde River Canyon

    This stunning 260-sq-km reserve centres on the 30km-long Blyde River Canyon, where epic rock formations tower above the forested slopes and eagle-eye…

  • view of three rondavels and the blyde river canyon at sunset in south africa; Shutterstock ID 1536002621; your: Sloane Tucker; gl: 65050; netsuite: Online Editorial; full: POI
1536002621

    Three Rondavels Viewpoint

    Blyde River Canyon

    The area's highlight, with a staggering view of these enormous rounds of rock, their pointed, grassy tops resembling giant huts carved into the side of…

  • Bourke’s Luck Potholes.

    Bourke’s Luck Potholes

    Blyde River Canyon

    These bizarre cylindrical holes were carved into the rock by whirlpools at the confluence of the Blyde and Treur Rivers. Bridges span the rivers,…

  • View of Blyde River Canyon from Lowveld Viewpoint in Mpumalanga, South Africa.

    Lowveld Viewpoint

    Blyde River Canyon

    Affords stunning views up the canyon, to the glistening Blydepoort Dam at the far end surrounded by forested slopes. The rocky cones of the Three…

  • Painted Stone Garden

    Mpumalanga

    These rocks at the entrance to town are painted in the style of 'outsider' artist Nukain Mabuza, who turned his humble labourer's accommodation on a…

  • Belhaven House

    Mpumalanga

    This beautifully restored prefab house, built between 1899 and 1904, shows the lifestyle of the privileged in the late Victorian and early Edwardian eras…

  • Barberton Museum

    Mpumalanga

    The town museum has interesting exhibits on local history, culture and geology, including a great black-and-white photo display of Barberton through the…

  • Barberton History and Mining Museum

    Mpumalanga

    In the old Transvaal Hotel (1882), this treasure trove of local history exhibits a hotchpotch of items from weaponry and greenstone samples to some fool's…

  • God's Window

    Blyde River Canyon

    A viewpoint offering amazing vistas. Take the trail up to the rainforest (300 steps), where you might spot rare birds, including the elusive loerie, on…

  • Lisbon Falls

    Blyde River Canyon

    This waterfall is a highlight of the Blyde River Canyon area, especially in summer (October to March), when the water flows hardest.

  • Pinnacle

    Blyde River Canyon

    A striking skyscraper-like rock formation.

  • Songimvelo Game Reserve

    Mpumalanga

    This beautiful 560-sq-km reserve sits in lowveld country south of Barberton, with high-altitude grassland areas on its eastern edge along the mountainous…

  • Shangana Cultural Village

    Mpumalanga

    This touristy recreation of a traditional Shangaan community features – depending on the time of day – a market, farming activity and house building…

  • Stopforth House

    Mpumalanga

    At the top of the town, with incredible views from its wraparound stoep, this house was built in 1886 and reconstructed in 1892. It shows the life of a…

  • Echo Caves

    Blyde River Canyon

    Stone Age relics have been found in these caves, which were discovered in 1923 and named after dripstone formations that echo when tapped. The one-hour…

  • Berlin Falls

    Blyde River Canyon

    Crashing down the cliffs, this waterfall is at its most impressive in summer (October to March), when there is most water.

  • Wonder View

    Blyde River Canyon

    A viewpoint offering amazing vistas of the lowveld far below.

  • Fernlea House

    Mpumalanga

    In a beautiful wooded location, this 1890s house was built for founding matriarch Emily Lee, 'mother of Barberton'. A one-room exhibition covers the…

  • Blockhouse

    Mpumalanga

    The British built this overgrown corrugated-iron and wood fortification in 1901.