Nestled in the serene Dullstroom countryside, the Dunkeld Country & Equestrian Estate offers a luxurious escape with a range of activities and amenities for a memorable stay.
A Haven of Tranquility and Adventure
Dunkeld is a 100-hectare estate divided into three sections: the country estate, the equestrian estate, and agricultural development. Founded in 1994 as a family getaway, it has evolved into a well-established resort that can accommodate over 500 guests.
The estate is home to various animals, including trail horses, warmblood stud horses, Angus and Drakensburger cattle, Merino sheep, Angora goats, and wildlife like Zebra, Black Wildebeest, and various antelope.
Located a few kilometers outside the small town of Dullstroom in the Highveld region of the Mpumalanga province, the Dunkeld Equestrian Centre provides an exquisite setting. Dullstroom is approximately a 2-hour 30-minute drive (245km) from OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg.
Dullstroom is a malaria-free/low-risk area. This little town is very popular especially for avid-sportsman who benefit from the high altitude of 2100m above MSL and of course for romantic getaway weekends in front of the cozy cottage style fireplaces and good red wine.
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The Panorama Route, known for its dramatic beauty, features the Blyde River Canyon and offers stunning views over the Klein Drakensberg escarpment.
Accommodation and Amenities
The cozy rooms at the Dunkeld Country Estate are equipped with:
- A flat-screen satellite TV
- Tea-and-coffee-making facilities
- A private bathroom
Some rooms also feature a balcony or patio.
Guests can indulge in a rich buffet breakfast and savor delicious local specialties prepared with fresh, seasonal ingredients at the elegant restaurant. The hotel’s bar features a flat-screen TV for sports enthusiasts.
Dunkeld Country Estate
Luxury country estate features a spa with massage services, an indoor pool and a children’s playground. Free private parking is available.
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Equestrian Activities
The Country Estate has been offering trail rides to guests since the early 2000's but the Equestrian Centre on the estate was only established in 2012 with the vision to become an exclusive venue for the luxury living of horses, guests to enjoy these wonderful animals and to grow to become a state of the art competition venue and stud farm.
The equestrian centre at Dunkeld consists of two yards, the trail centre and the competition venue as well as the Warmblood stud farm. The centre is home to 40 horses of which 15 are trail horses of various breeds such as the Boerperd, Nooitgedacht, Friesian and Percheron cross and the other 25 are warmblood sport horses which are used for competition, leisure/outrides and breeding
At the Dunkeld, guests can enjoy a range of activities in the area, including horseback riding, fly-fishing and hiking. One of the best ways to get a feel for the estate is from the back of a horse. And, as you canter across the undulating grass, you'll see plenty zebra and antelope.
With a small but dedicated and enthusiastic team, the Dunkeld Equestrian staff offer guests and volunteers an unforgettable equestrian experience, whether it is on a trail ride through the country side or simply being involved in the afternoon snack time shenanigans at the Warmblood stables where the manager and staff will introduce you to all the horses and throw in some wonderful facts about each horse.
For the more experienced horseman we offer exciting outrides with adrenaline pumping gallop stretches and exciting encounters over various terrains that the country side offers, our team is also willing to teach the most beginner rider to become more confident in the saddle and even the more experienced riders can tweak their skills on our magnificent horses in our arena with a gorgeous view.
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The venue offers shows across most disciplines such as showing, equitation, show jumping, dressage and stadium eventing , we also support our other local yards by taking a few horses to compete in all disciplines throughout the year.
Every year the team breed a small number of the mares to outside stallions as well as our two homebred warmblood stallions to produce top quality sport horses on a small scale. When the foals are born, they become the stars of the estate as the guests/volunteers spend endless hours with them, watching them play in the paddocks and pampering them with cuddles.
Outdoor Activities and Leisure
Along with the accommodation and fishing the estate offers exciting adventure activities such as abseiling, rock climbing and an adrenaline pumping high ropes course. Enjoy the magical scenery of the estate by taking on one of our many hiking trails, mountain biking and adventure running trails where you will encounter various terrains and enjoy up close and personal encounters with the game on the farm.
Alternatively, you can take to the mountains on foot and tackle one of the many hiking trails - the landscape is splendid and there are some birds that are exclusive to this Highveld area!
With 15 dams stocked with heaps of cunning rainbow, brown and golden trout, there's plenty of opportunity to perfect your fly-fishing skills. Or not! Either way, at the end of the day you can sit back and relax on the veranda of your secluded chalet and watch the wildlife of Africa sashay by.
A Vision for the Future
Our vision at Dunkeld Equestrian Centre is to share the passion we have for our horses and animals on the estate with all our guests and volunteers. We want the guests/volunteers to interact with the horses, learn and understand their ways and to enjoy being in the presence of these magnificent animals.
Other than growing to become a exclusive show venue and a quality Warmblood stud farm, we also want to share our knowledge of natural horsemanship with our visitors, whether its basic horse handling/stable management or helping them improve their riding skills with a kind, gentle and understanding manner towards horse and handler/rider.
Additional Information
Please note compulsory conservation fees are applicable and excluded from the rates.
The resort exudes a sense of old-world opulence tempered, just a little, with modern pragmatic design. Soak up the sun by the outdoor pool or chill out with a sundowner in the heated indoor pool.
If you love your food, you won't be disappointed. The resort's restaurant cuisine is excellent, whilst music lovers will be pulsing to the scintillating rhythms of the Jazz bar. Superb!
Dunkeld is proud to showcase their magnificent breeding stock to their guests and volunteers, we include and involve guests/volunteers in our vision and plan for the future of our stud farm.
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