Dullstroom, Mpumalanga

History

The area was home to the Southern Ndebele under King Mabhoko (Mapoch), whose conflict with the ZAR peaked in 1882-83. A settlement company led by Dutch merchant Wolterus Dull brought Dutch immigrants at President Kruger's invitation in 1883, and Kruger proclaimed the town in Dull's honour on 9 October 1893. The village was destroyed during the Anglo-Boer War, when residents were held in a camp at Belfast and most settlers returned to the Netherlands; it was rebuilt, the church in 1905, and the first town council met in 1921.

Getting there

Dullstroom is on the R540 about 35 km north of Belfast (eMakhazeni) off the N4, and about 53 km south-west of Lydenburg (Mashishing). It is roughly 2.5-3 hours' drive from Johannesburg and Pretoria and a common stopover en route to the Panorama Route and Kruger.

Weather & climate

Subtropical highland climate: mild summers with rain mostly from October to April and dry, cold winters with frequent frost (August average minimum about -1 °C). Mist is common and evenings are cool year-round.

Things to do

Ama Poot Poot Hiking TrailHiking trail near Dullstroom through highland scenery.
Battlefields of the Escarpment ToursGuided tours of Anglo-Boer War sites on the escarpment around Dullstroom. dullstroom.co.za/battlefields-of-the-escarpment-tours-dullstroom
Ducktober Beer FestOctober craft-beer festival held at about 2,100 m, billed as the highest beer festival in southern Africa.
Dullstroom Nature Reserve & DamReserve around the town dam with sub-alpine grassland views, a caravan park and an easy marked walking trail around the dam.
Dullstroom parkrunFree weekly 5 km timed run held around the Dullstroom dam on Saturday mornings.
Dullstroom Winter FestivalAnnual winter festival with local music, food and a kids' zone.
Fly-fishingTrout fishing in dams and streams around the village.
Steenkampsberg Hiking TrailHiking trail in the Steenkampsberg range around Dullstroom.
Trout Hatchery Tours at DunkeldGuided tours of a recirculating trout breeding facility at Dunkeld Estate, by prior arrangement. dunkeldestate.co.za
Whisky tasting at Wild About WhiskyGuided whisky tasting flights from a collection of over 1,100 brands, some with chocolate pairings.

Things to see

De BergHighest point in Mpumalanga (2,332 m), rising at the edge of the town.
Dullstroom Bird of Prey & Rehabilitation CentreRaptor rehabilitation and education centre founded in 1997, with flying demonstrations (weather permitting), a small zoo of rescued animals and a children's fishing pond.
Dullstroom MuseumSmall volunteer-run museum of the Dullstroom Heritage Society covering the village's history.
Dullstroom Railway StationAt about 2,077 m, the highest railway station in South Africa, on the line to Mashishing (Lydenburg); no longer in service.
Fort Mapoch and Mapoch's CavesHistoric Ndebele stronghold and caves of King Mabhoko (Mapoch), with a statue of Nyabêla, linked to the 1882-83 war with the ZAR.
Verloren Valei Nature ReserveAbout 6,000 ha Ramsar wetland roughly 13 km from Dullstroom, known for wild orchids and blue, wattled and crowned cranes; guided visits by appointment only (tel 013 254 0799).

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