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IIn 1902, Jan Smuts described the Wild Frontier of Mpumalanga's Mkhonjwa mountains as 'one of the virgin corners of the continent, garnished with some of the most magnificent scenery in all Africa'. Fortunately, nothing has changed - the Wild Frontier is a natural time machine going far back into historical and geological time.
Bordering on Mozambique, eSwatinin (formerly Swaziland) and the southern extremity of the Kruger National Park, the Wild Frontier of Mpumalanga's nucleus consists of the historic towns of Barberton, Komatipoort, Kaapmuiden and Badplaas. Barberton in particular is perhaps the quintessential frontier town, site of South Africa's first gold rush in 1884. You can spend a couple days just exploring the museums and monuments, including the first South African stock exchange and the Victorian houses along Heritage Walk.
From Barberton on out, old wagon roads take you past the ghost mining town of Eureka into one of the world's most ancient landscapes. The Makhonjwa Mountains enjoy the status of a 'Centre of Biological Endemism', thanks to the plant and animal species nurtured by protected mountain catchment areas. Mountainlands Nature Reserve, just 10 minutes from Barberton, was inscribed in the World Heritage Site list in 2018. The area is the hub of the Archaean Greenstone Belt, containing rocks and life forms more than 3-billion years old. Some of the finest Mpumalanga camping sites are here.
The Mountainlands Reserve also contains Songimvelo Game Reserve, Mpumalanga's biggest at 50 000 hectares. Buffalo, kudu, giraffe, elephant, white rhino, brown hyena and leopard are among the creatures roaming its grassy plains, woodlands and forested ravines, which are interspersed with rock paintings and archaeological remains dating back as far as 400 BC.
Explore at your own pace - the Wild Frontier has among the best Mpumalanga caravan sites. Drive slowly, especially in the rainy season, and watch out for local Swazi cattle.
Did You Know?
TTravel tips & planning info
Who to contact
Mpumalanga Tourism And Parks Agency
Tel: +27 13 759 5300
Email: info@mtpa.co.za
How to get here
You can drive down the N4 from Johannesburg or fly directly to Nelspruit or the Kruger National Park.
Best time to visit
The dry winter season between May and August is the best time to visit for game-viewing because the vegetation is less dense making sightings more frequent.
Things to do
Mpumalanga has many excellent attractions including the historic town of Pilgrim's Rest, God's Window, Blyde River Canyon, Long Tom Pass and the Bourke's Luck Potholes.
Of course, a game drive in the Kruger National Park is a must.
As well as hiking, Mpumalanga offers white river rafting, quad biking, 4x4 trails, abseiling, horse trails, ziplining and mountain biking. A popular launch site for paragliding and hang gliding is Lone Tree Hill, Barberton.
Spend a day experiencing what life would have been like for the early Gold Rush pioneers on a mining tour. Then you try your own luck with a spot of gold panning or enjoy Barberton’s fabulous heritage walk.
What to pack
Insect repellant and malaria medication if you are travelling to a malaria area. Be sure to check the weather for the region you’re travelling to as temperatures can vary.
No matter what the season, always remember to bring plenty of sunblock and a hat. Good walking shoes or hiking boots are a must for those who enjoy exploring on foot.
Where to stay
There is a wide range of accommodation in the area, from hotels to camp sites and B&Bs. Songimvelo has rustic self-catering accommodation and camp sites as well as chalets at Komati River Lodge.
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