The charming town of Barberton, which was formed during the area’s gold rush in the 1880s, is located in the De Kaap Valley, 360 kilometers to the east of Johannesburg, and is bordered by the Makhonjwa Mountains. Inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the mountain range is amongst the oldest in the world, dating back 3.5 billion years. These mountains also include some of the world’s oldest exposed rocks, which are referred to as the Barberton Greenstone Belt. There are many 4×4 routes that have the most incredible views. These immerse you in nature whilst exploring ecologically rich retain. Firm favourites include the Mountainlands and Songimvelo Nature Reserves.
Barberton has a glorious climate, which has seen the town become a top hang gliding and paragliding site with the Paragliding Open as a signature event. Barberton has a trove of history which is evident when walking through the town. Each building tells a story. There is no reason why Barberton shouldn’t be on your South African bucket list as this is as close as you’ll ever get to the “Genesis of Life!”