Things to Do in Dullstroom: The Local Guide

Eat, Drink and Tastings

For a village of a few thousand people, Dullstroom eats remarkably well. Here is where we'd start, and what we'd order:

Start the day at Baker Boys Eatery — all-day breakfasts, hearty plates and pastries worth the drive on their own. For long lunches and fireside dinners, Vine Restaurant & Wine Bar pours from a list of more than 950 South African wines. Mrs Simpson's is the special-occasion classic: professional, quick service and a great atmosphere when the room is full. And then there is Wild about Whiskey — over 2,000 whiskies, plus gin, rum, tequila, mezcal and cognac. Join a tasting; the staff actually teach you something.

• Baker Boys Eatery: all-day breakfasts, hearty plates and pastries worth the drive on their own. - what to order: Cakes, Cakes and Cakes with the occasional sandwich to share:)
• Vine Restaurant & Wine Bar - Ideal for long lunches and fireside dinners - What to eat: Definitely the Chicken Schnitzel with " Die Boskind" (our red wine of choice)
• Mrs Simpson's is the special-occasion classic with quick service and a great atmosphere when the room is full - What to order: Everything haha
• Wild about Whiskey with over 2,000 whiskies, plus gin, rum, tequila, mezcal and cognac. Join a tasting, the staff actually teach you something. - What to order: Tequila and Rum tastings offer something new and exciting, and then there is whiskey, O the whiskey tastings.
• Bergen Cheese - Home to the cheesiest tastes in Dullstroom. Pop in for a delicious experience every weekend, when they unpack their very best new cheese on the tastings table. - What to order: Cheese and cheese tasting as you walking in, can't go wrong with that.

Fly-fishing

Dullstroom earned its "fly-fishing capital" title honestly. At this altitude the water stays cool and oxygen-rich — perfect habitat for Rainbow and Brown Trout. Whether you are a complete beginner or a fly-fishing regular, stocked venues and experienced guides around town make it easy: rods can be rented, lessons arranged, and most dams are minutes from the village. Ask us when you book and we will point you at the right water for your skill level.

• The Village Angler +27 13 254 0156 - This friendly Flyfishing shop in Dullstroom is run by the Hunter family who have more than 75 years combined fly-fishing experience both locally and abroad. The Village Angler is conveniently situated in the centre of Dullstroom where John, Wilma or Jenny are available to assist you in not only the selection of your equipment but also with tips, tactics and casting.
• Fish Eagle Pond - Fish virtually guaranteed. A dead easy ‘put and take’ fishery. Perfect for kids learning how to fly fish and introducing friends to flyfishing. Restaurant and Rod-hire on site. Streamer pattern flies work well as the trout are ‘stockies’ and flies that incorporate lots of action will attract the trout from a distance. Adults R195/person. Kids R150/person. All fish to be kept. R265/kg. Pay at venue. Check their opening times https://www.birdsofprey.co.za/
• Laverpa - Trophy brown trout less than 10 mins from the Dullstroom village centre. These trout day waters consists of three, crystal clear, well-stocked dams just 7km’s out of Dullstroom. We have offered fishing on these iconic waters for over 20 years now. The dams are all around 1ha with good structure, consisting of channels, reed and weed beds, banks and drop-offs, with a productive inlet bay in each. The fishing is rewarding, with some bigger fish (5-7lb) landed at times. Bookings at Mavungana Flyfishing centre

Outdoors & wildlife

Highland Gate Golf & Trout Estate packs a championship golf course, padel courts, hiking trails, mountain biking and picnicking into one estate. The Verloren Valei Nature Reserve — an internationally recognised high-altitude wetland where four rivers rise — is famous for its wild orchids; book a guided tour. The Dullstroom Bird of Prey & Rehabilitation Centre runs flying demonstrations and handling days that children and adults equally never forget.

Day trips

Dullstroom is base camp for the Panorama Route — about two hours to the start of one of South Africa's most iconic drives, past God's Window and the Blyde River Canyon. Closer to home, the Highlands Meander offers zip-lining and abseiling over gorges, quad-biking, hot-air ballooning and waterfall hikes. And if a full-day safari is on the cards, Kruger National Park — the Big 5 included — is doable as a long day trip.

Bring the dog

Very few Dullstroom cottages are genuinely dog friendly. Amber & Birch is: a fully enclosed garden, walks around town, and a fire to curl up next to. Tell us about your four-legged guest when booking — a small cleaning surcharge applies — and the whole family gets the highveld weekend.

Train high, sleep well

At 2,100 m, Dullstroom is one of South Africa's premier high-altitude training destinations. Runners and cycling squads use the crisp air and rolling terrain all year; the cottage — quiet, warm and close to the trails — makes a comfortable home base between sessions.

When to come

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Frequently asked questions