Dullstroom is a picturesque highland town in the Emakhazeni Local Municipality of Mpumalanga’s Nkangala District. It lies along the R540 between Belfast and Mashishing, formerly Lydenburg, in the Steenkampsberg mountain region at an elevation of about 2,100 metres. Rolling montane grasslands, clear streams, wetlands, rocky ridges and numerous trout dams create the cool, open landscape for which the town is widely known.
The settlement was founded in 1880 by Dutch immigrants and was formally proclaimed a town by President Paul Kruger on 9 October 1893. Its name honours Wolterus Dull, an Amsterdam merchant who chaired a committee assisting families who had suffered losses during the First Anglo-Boer War. The word “stroom”, meaning stream, refers to the watercourses of the district, including headwaters associated with the Crocodile River system.
Dullstroom suffered extensive destruction during the South African War of 1899–1902, when many residents left and women and children from the community were held in the British concentration camp at Belfast. Some settlers later returned and rebuilt the village. A memorial and remembrance garden in the town centre commemorate this difficult period, while older buildings and the historic railway environment reflect the settlement’s gradual recovery and development.
Trout fishing became central to Dullstroom’s identity during the early twentieth century. Trout were introduced into local streams and dams, and by the 1920s organised stocking was helping establish the district as one of South Africa’s leading fly-fishing destinations. Tourism now supports guest houses, hotels, restaurants, specialist fishing businesses, galleries, shops and outdoor operators, while trout farming, livestock agriculture, forestry and local services contribute to the wider rural economy.
Dullstroom has a cool, high-altitude summer-rainfall climate. Summers are generally mild, green and rainy, with afternoon thunderstorms, mist and rapidly changing cloud conditions. Winters are dry and cold, with frequent frost, freezing nights and occasional snow or sleet during strong cold fronts. Warm clothing is useful throughout the year because even summer evenings can become unexpectedly chilly.
Visitors can enjoy fly-fishing, hiking, mountain biking, horse riding, birdwatching, photography and scenic drives through the surrounding highlands. Verloren Vallei Nature Reserve protects approximately 6,000 hectares of internationally important wetland and grassland habitat rich in wildflowers and birdlife, while nearby Middelpunt Nature Reserve is a designated Ramsar wetland. The district is one of the few areas where blue, grey crowned and wattled cranes may occur. Wildlife sightings naturally vary according to the season and environmental conditions.
Accommodation in Dullstroom includes Walkersons Hotel and Spa, Dunkeld Country and Equestrian Estate, Critchley Hackle Lodge, Dullstroom Nature Reserve and numerous privately managed cottages, farm stays and self-catering homes. Visitors can enjoy meals at Mrs Simpson’s Restaurant, The Mayfly Restaurant and Cocktail Lounge, 1883 Restaurant at Dunkeld and the restaurants at Walkersons Hotel and Spa. The town’s main street also offers coffee shops, bakeries, pubs, speciality stores and establishments showcasing local food and drink.
Nearby attractions include the Dullstroom Bird of Prey and Rehabilitation Centre, Verloren Vallei Nature Reserve, Middelpunt Nature Reserve, Dullstroom Nature Reserve and Highlands Gate Golf and Trout Estate. Longer outings can include Belfast, Mashishing, the Steenkampsberg mountain passes, the Highlands Meander and the Panorama Route towards Sabie, Graskop and the Blyde River Canyon. Whether you are exploring its history, enjoying its natural surroundings or simply relaxing, Dullstroom offers a memorable Mpumalanga experience. Discover accommodation, restaurants, local businesses, historical places, outdoor activities and nearby attractions through BlyLekker, and experience the distinctive character of Dullstroom.