Dullstroom Introduction
Dullstroom is one of the jewels of the Mpumalanga Highlands and the highest village in South Africa. Fishing enthusiasts flock here even in the cold and rainy seasons for 1 simple reason: Dullstroom offers some of the finest trout in the country. However, there's more to this scenic village than fishing. It's the only place in the country that grows elm and beech trees, thanks to its temperate, relatively cool climate. It also has an active foodie and craft beer scene.
Hotels in Dullstroom
There's only a small selection of accommodation on offer in Dullstroom. Most of these options are small guest lodges, inns and self-catering holiday homes. Some of these picks are of the no-frills variety, offering only basic amenities on top of room and board. Some, on the other hand, provide high-end services and facilities like swimming pools, spa treatments and in-room childcare. There are a handful of boutique hotels in Dullstroom as well. These hotels provide guests with spacious, elegantly decorated rooms and luxury amenities. Because Dullstroom attracts a niche group of tourists, most of these hotels provide services related to trout fishing.
Where to stay
Most of the hotels in Dullstroom are located along Naledi Drive or just off it. Naledi Drive is the town's main street. It's where you'll find many of the town's restaurants, bars, shops and other commercial establishments. The estates scattered around the town centre offer their own guest lodges to visitors. These estates offer their own outdoor adventures other than fishing, such as horseback riding. There are also other lodging choices located around the edge of Dullstroom Nature Reserve. These options are excellent choices if you're planning on exploring Dullstroom's wildlife as part of your holiday itinerary.
Things to see
Dullstroom is a great place to get reacquainted with nature. The town is surrounded with nature parks and wildlife reserves.
Dullstroom Nature Reserve is located right within the town itself. The reserve is where people go to catch trout while enjoying the fantastic sub-alpine scenery. If you head south of the town, you'll find the
Dullstroom Bird of Prey Rehabilitation Centre. The centre is dedicated to raising awareness about the plight of raptor birds and how they can be saved from becoming endangered. It rescues birds of prey and prepares them for release back in the wild. You can catch twice-daily bird flight shows at the centre. Verloren Vallei Nature Reserve is only a short drive out of Dullstroom and it's well worth the journey. This series of wetlands and grasslands nurtures many species of South African wildlife, including zebra and wildebeest. Verloren is also notable for conserving endangered cranes.
How to get to Dullstroom
It's probably safe to say that the best way to get to Dullstroom is by driving from Johannesburg. If you're coming from elsewhere in South Africa or even abroad, you can first book a flight to
OR Tambo International Airport. From Johannesburg, you can drive on the N4 highway towards Nelspruit. When you get to the Belfast turnoff, turn right and get on the R540 road. From the Belfast turnoff, Dullstroom is only 35 kilometres away. The total driving distance from Johannesburg to Dullstroom is approximately 257 kilometres, and the journey will take around 3 hours.
