I always used to think of Dullstroom as a kind of halfway house when we went on holiday to the Lowveld. As a child, the drive from Joburg seemed endless, but I knew when we got to Dullstroom that at least half of the journey was behind us.
Sometimes we would stay over at a B&B, or if it was early enough we’d stop for a lovely lunch and I’d press my nose up against the sweets displays and promise not to mess anything on the car seats. Then we’d breeze on through, bound for Kruger.
Later, my family moved to Hoedspruit, and Dullstroom became the place where we would meet our grandparents who lived in Benoni. I loved those visits, and Dullstroom provided the perfect place for grandparents to spoil granddaughters, with plenty of lovely sweet shops and restaurants to visit. But Dullstroom is far from just a halfway house; it’s a destination in its own right.
Walkersons Estate spans 800 hectares, with routes for walking, cycling and horse riding. Photo: Lauren Dold
In 2018, when it came time to decide where we would have family Christmas, Dullstroom again seemed like the sensible meeting place for family from Joburg and Hoedspruit. Walkersons Hotel & Spa, just 10km outside the town, provided us with exactly what we needed, a spacious but cosy ‘cottage’ (if a four-bedroom double story house could be considered a cottage) where we could craft our own Christmas, and cook our own special meals while still feeling spoiled on a weekend away.
Built in 1993, Walkersons has retained its country feel with plush furnishings, cottage pane windows and neat rose bushes dotted around the estate.
During a more recent visit to Walkersons, South African tourism had just been dealt a heavy blow as harsh travel restrictions were imposed due to a new variant of Covid-19. But as I reclined on a lawn chair drinking a half and half, (a tot of whiskey chased with beer) I thought to myself, who needs to travel to the hills of Scotland when you could visit Dullstroom?
Walkersons has 27 hotel suites and five fully furnished self-catering cottages. Pictured here are the lakeside hotel suites. Photo: Lauren Dold
There’s a fireplace in every room, plenty of corners in which to hide away with a good book and attentive staff who will happily pour you your favourite tipple at just about any hour of the day.
The spa, just a short walk from the main hotel, is a truly tranquil corner of Walkersons. Qualified therapists offer a wide range of luxurious treatments, including manicures and pedicures, facials, and a host of different massages (including a classic Swedish massage which I can vouch for as one of the best).
Of course, a trip to Dullstroom would not be complete without a spot of fly-fishing. Our party was made up of five non-fishermen, but we were guided patiently by Samuel, who encouraged us endlessly and never tired of untangling our lines. The dams are well-stocked with rainbow trout, and there was certainly evidence of this as they jumped all around us (but rather frustratingly, never bit).
While there is no official season, fly-fishing in Dullstroom is best enjoyed from July to September. Walkersons offers fishing equipment to hire and expert advice, just ask at reception.
Dullstroom is the fly fishing capital of South Africa, and with 14 well-stocked dams across Walkersons estate, it’s the perfect spot for anglers to sharpen their fly skills. Photo: Lauren Dold
For non-fishermen such as myself, I found my time better spent strolling around the grounds, looking for the estate’s game. Walkersons is home to blesbok, duiker, and a herd of zebra who meander around the estate, grazing on the luscious lawns. Pack a pair of walking shoes, as Walkersons has a 3km network of paved pathways that criss-cross over small waterfalls, beside streams and up the estate’s hills.
Zebras and other game roam freely around Walkersons. Photo: Lauren Dold
After a long day of fishing and walking, the warm dining room at the hotel restaurant, the Flying Scotsman, is the place to be. Expect lit fires and white linen as the chef serves up a four-course dinner every evening.
For lighter lunches and dinners outside, The Terrace has an extensive menu and serves meals throughout the day. The Terrace is also an excellent spot to sit and enjoy afternoon tea with views over the estate lawns (I defy anyone to resist the scones!).
For a real treat, arrange a picnic on the banks of one of Walkersons’ dams. Complete with picnic blanket and even champagne if you ask for it, Walkersons staff will put together a pre-packed gourmet picnic to be enjoyed under a tree of your liking somewhere on the estate.
Walkersons caters for all dietary requirements, and will pack a picnic to your liking. Photo: Lauren Dold
The Flying Scotsman four-course dinner is available from 7pm. Children 12 and over are welcome. Phone 013 253 7000 for reservations.
Rates:
Hotel rooms start at R2 950 per person sharing, and self-catering cottages start at R2 750 per cottage per night, sleeps four.
The property is also running some great specials.
Also Read: The 20 Best Restaurants in Benoni
Book a 2-night weekend stay at a hotel suite and enjoy a 35% discount.
– Valid Friday and Saturday
– Valid until 31 May 2022
– Hotel Suites only
– Subject to availability
A 50% discount for a midweek stay at a hotel suite
– Valid Sunday to Thursday
– Valid until 31 May 2022
– Hotel Suites only
Visit Walkersons for more or phone +27 (13) 253 700
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