Dullstroom is situated on the R540 between Belfast and Lydenburg in Mpumalanga, South Africa and approximately two and half hours drive away from Gauteng. Today the town is famous for excellent trout fishing and the myriad of restaurants lining the streets of the small town.
Where to Eat in Dullstroom
Many South African residents and tourists from abroad, travel to Dullstroom to sample the variety of culinary excellence on offer. Most of the restaurants have patios from where tourists can sit back, relax and take in the beautiful scenery around the town. Several motorbike groups regularly organize breakfast runs from Johannesburg to Dullstroom and finding an array of different motorcycles parked in front of the restaurants is an everyday occurrence.
Whether tourists seek stuffed pancakes for breakfast, filleted trout or traditional steaks, Dullstroom has more than thirty restaurants and is sure to deliver. Most of the restaurants will also clean and prepare trout tourists caught during the day.
One of the restaurants, Rose Cottage with telephone +27 13 254 0218 dates back to the 1880’s and is one of the few buildings that survived the Anglo – Boer War according to BPJ Erasmus, Op Pad in Suid Africa, Jonathan Ball Publishers, 2004.
Dullstroom is a Fly-Fishing Mecca in South Africa
The high altitude, cold temperatures and accessibility from Gauteng, ensures that Dullstroom is flooded with fly fishermen all year round. Upon entering the town from Gauteng, the famous Mavungana Flyfishing shop is one of the first buildings to see on the right-hand side. The personnel of Mavungana offer fly fishing instruction and tuition and students often practice on the lawn in front of the shop under the watchful eye of the instructors. A short walk around the building reveals a small pond with every fly-fisherman’s dream sized trout.
A myriad of fly fishing lodges and other accommodation surround the town and anglers can cast their flies to rainbow and brown trout in the Dullstroom Dams. Some of the most well – known lodges are:
-Stonecutters Lodge, which offers conference facilities, self-catering accommodation in units sleeping 2-6 people and fly-fishing in two dams and a part of the Dorps River.
-Peebles Country Estate, a family owned boutique hotel that offers conference facilities, a wellness center and luxury catered suites. The hotel boasts to have one of the largest collections of single malt whiskeys in South Africa.
-Elandskloof Trout Farm, the oldest trout farm around Dullstroom, offers a range of accommodation varying from camping to luxury self catering accommodation in cottages and farmhouses. Twelve trout dams keep anglers occupied while horse and quad bike rides keep the more adventurous satisfied.
Other Activities and Tourist Attractions around Dullstroom
Besides fly-fishing, the Dullstroom area also caters for a variety of tastes and activities. Tourists can test their skills with clay pigeon shooting at Field and Stream approximately 8 km outside Dullstroom or explore the countryside on horseback at Dullstroom Riding Center, Elandskloof Trout Farm and Ross Van Reenen Riding Center.
At Van Reenen Art Studio, a local sculptor Ross Van Reenen and glass artist Roanda Van Reenen provide more sophisticated entertainment to lovers of art. The Dullstroom Art Gallery is also worth a visit to support the local artists.
The Birds of Prey Rehabilitation Center just outside Dullstroom breeds and rehabilitates birds of prey. Their focus is on educating the public and several birds of prey are on display at the center. Tourists should arrange their stay in Dullstroom to include a visit to the center and to watch birds of prey in action.
Dullstroom is a tourist destination in South Africa that not only caters for the fly-fishermen, but also for visitors on their way to the Kruger National Park who wish to relax for a few days in the serene and beautiful countryside of Mpumalanga’s Highlands Meander.
