Situated at 25º 25' S 30º 06' E, high up on the eastern escarpment, on the Steenkampsberg mountain range, Dullstroom is only 2 hours from Johannesburg and Pretoria, en route to the well-known Kruger National Park. At 2097m above sea level, Dullstroom is one of the highest towns in South Africa. It has a sub-alpine climate, and is well known for its cool, often misty atmosphere, lending it an air of the Scottish Highlands. The local building style of pointed-stone and wooden log homes, along with the many pubs, restaurants, lodges and quaint village shops have made this one of the most appealing tourist destinations in Mpumalanga. 

With its moderate climate, crisp mountain air, and scenic beauty, Dullstroom lends itself perfectly to trout fishing. Trout were first introduced to the area in the early 1900’s, and today most dams in the area are stocked with rainbow and/or brown trout, and natural breeding occurs in many of the area’s rivers.  Dullstroom enjoys an average annual rainfall in excess of 800mm, Dullstroom has a unique micro-climate, almost sub-Alpine. Because of our high altitude (2075m above sea-level) Dullstroom is often colder than the surrounding areas, and can be entirely closed in by mist. The weather has a tendency to change rapidly, often giving rise to "four seasons in one day". The average summer temperature is in the region of 22 ºC (72ºF).

The area is also home to a large number of endemic bird species, and upwards of 150 species have been counted here, from raptors to water fowl. The Steenkampsberg is one of a few places in the world where all 3 South African species of crane (blue, crowned, and wattled) occur together. A concerted effort is being made to conserve these elegant bird species in the area.

Dullstroom enjoys a sub-Alpine climate, regarded as unique in South Africa, with day-time temperatures averaging around 22 ºC (72 ºF) in summer, and the thermometer very rarely going above 30 ºC (86 ºF). This, combined with the average annual rainfall of around 800mm (31"), is responsible for the varied and abundant flowering plants in the area. It is said that over 200 different species of wild flowers grow naturally in and around Dullstroom. Outside of the village area, one sees a vast array of wild flowers - gladioli, wahlenbergias, osteospermums and pelargoniums. On the outlying farm areas, along the rivers, it is not uncommon to come across tree-ferns - some of them over 100 years old. Bird-watchers frequent the area for a glimpse of some rare bird species, including all 3 species of South African cranes, Stanley's bustard, and the extremely rare and shy white-winged flufftail. Dullstroom is part of the Steenkampsberg range, which is home to many interesting mammals, from the seldom seen forest shrew, through the cape clawless otter, to oribi and grey rhebuck.

Yellow arums in bloom

River lily

Brunsvigia radulosa

Tree ferns

Around the rock outcrops it is not uncommon to see 3 varieties of arum lily - the white Zantedeschia aethiopica, the pink Zantedeschia rehmanii, and the beautiful golden Zantedeschia petlandii, unique to the Steenkampsberg range. One of the most striking plants in the area is the bright pink lily Brunsvigia radulosa - known to many as the "tumble weed" - with a huge head of bright pink flowers which can measure over 60cm (24") across. The flower eventually dries and breaks off, and the wind blows it away, scattering seeds as it tumbles. Under the rocks the striking red flower of the Streptocarpus dunii may be found, with its solitary red leaf, measuring up to 50cm in length. 

The Steenkampsberg is home to an interesting variety of mammals, including a few small antelope species, and  is one of the last strongholds of oribi in South Africa. Grey duiker are fairly common, and mountain reedbuck, grey rhebuck and steenbok are still to be seen on the grasslands. A few members of the cat family are occasionally spotted, including serval cats, civets, African wild cats and caraculs. Black-backed jackal are fairly common in the area, and brown hyaena and aardwolf are sometimes spotted at night. Porcupines and aardvarks are common, but seldom seen, as are bush-pigs - a variation of the European wild boar. Both South African otter species, the cape clawless, and the smaller spotted-necked otter are widespread over the Steenkampsberg plateau. They tend to move around, but unfortunately they are considered pests to trout farmers, and are often hunted as such. 

The Steenkampsberg provides large areas of almost perfect habitat to a varied range of bird-life. The unique micro-climate of the area makes this home to some species not seen elsewhere on the Highveld. Over 150 bird species have been recorded in the area, including recent immigrants introduced by man's intervention - plantations, trout dams fields and gardens. Waterbirds account for a large portion of the bird population, including herons, rails crakes, Egyptian geese, spurwing geese, kingfishers, coots, sacred ibis and whiskered terns. The wetlands are home to all 3 species of crane found in South Africa - all of them on the endangered list. The birds of the open grassland include larks, pipits, cisticolas, finches, bustards, cranes, bald ibis and francolin. Birds of prey most often seen in the area include steppe- and jackal buzzards, snake eagles, long-crested eagles, fish eagles and secretary birds. 

Some material on this page courtesy Fauna & Flora magazine