8 days in Mpumalanga Itinerary

Nestled on the banks of the Crocodile River, Nelspruit provides visitors with a convenient base point boasting two airports and an enviable location on the road between Johannesburg and the Mozambican border.

Family-friendly places like Sudwala Caves and Zipline will thrill your kids. Change things up with these side-trips from Nelspruit: Napi Wilderness Trail (in Kruger National Park) and Hazyview (Perry's Bridge Reptile Park, Katundo Leather Pty Ltd, &more). There's still lots to do: stroll through Jane Goodall Chimpanzee Eden Sanctuary, pick up a one of a kind souvenir at Antiques & Artifacts, take in nature's colorful creations at Lowveld National Botanical Garden, and pick up some local products at Bagdad Farmers Market.

To see where to stay, traveler tips, and other tourist information, use the Nelspruit route planner.

Johannesburg to Nelspruit is an approximately 2.5-hour flight. You can also drive; or take a bus. Traveling from Johannesburg in August, Nelspruit is somewhat warmer at night with lows of 12°C. Cap off your sightseeing on the 4th (Wed) early enough to go by car to Barberton.

Barberton is a town in the Mpumalanga province of South Africa, which has its origin in the 1880s gold rush in the region. Start off your visit on the 5th (Thu): take an in-depth tour of Barberton History & Mining Museum, then examine the collection at Barberton Museum, and then stroll through Barberton Makhonjwa Geotrail.

For more things to do, traveler tips, reviews, and tourist information, use the Barberton trip planning website.

You can drive from Nelspruit to Barberton in an hour. In September, plan for daily highs up to 30°C, and evening lows to 16°C. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 5th (Thu) so you can go by car to Pilgrim's Rest.

Pilgrim’s Rest is a small town in the Mpumalanga province of South Africa which is protected as a provincial heritage site. Start off your visit on the 6th (Fri): take in the dramatic natural features at Three Roundavels and then explore the stunning scenery at Blyde River Canyon Nature Reserve. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the next day: don't miss a visit to Pilgrims Rest, then explore and take pictures at Panorama Route, then take in the dramatic natural features at Bourkes' Luck Potholes, and finally enjoy breathtaking views from God's Window.

To see more things to do, maps, ratings, and other tourist information, read our Pilgrim's Rest online travel route planner.

Getting from Barberton to Pilgrim's Rest by car takes about 2.5 hours. In September, daily temperatures in Pilgrim's Rest can reach 32°C, while at night they dip to 15°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 7th (Sat) so you can drive back home.