6 things to do with kids in Dullstroom

From horse riding to art classes to the excellent bird show, Dullstroom — oh so close to Joburg — has lots on offer to keep children entertained on a winter break.

Sitting pretty at 2,100m on the Mpumalanga escarpment, Dullstroom is one of the highest towns in South Africa’s north — with the climate to match.

With an average temperature of 13°C and frequently invisible in romantic mist, it is South Africa’s neo-Scotland, a Brigadoon  for fly fishermen and whiskey drinkers (Wild About Whisky, on the main road, houses the largest collection of whiskies in the southern hemisphere).

A popular stop for tourists headed from Joburg to big-five gawking in the Kruger National Park and poke the antiques, it’s also an easy three hours from Joburg, and so a fine choice for a weekend getaway. But what about the kids?

Turns out, there is a host of distractions that make great outings for kids — and will keep everyone in the family happy.

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1) Make some feathered friends

Hundreds of raptors (birds of prey) are injured every year by vehicles, fences, traps, power lines, poisons and the destruction of nesting sites. On the outskirts of the town, the excellent Bird Of Prey & Rehabilitation Centre is working hard to rescue and rehabilitate survivors. Whenever possible they are released back into the wild, but when it’s not they will live out their days at the centre.

As a necessary part of rehab and health, birds must fly and their exercise routines have been incorporated into a show that is at once informative and delightfully entertaining. Our guide Adian  Botha had a falcon — the fastest creature on Earth — swooping low over our heads for a piece of pigeon swinging on a string; a waddling owl; and a magnificent black eagle. Last, we watched a secretary bird stomp hilariously on a plastic snake (called Zuma).

• Flight demonstrations daily except Tuesday, 10.30am and 2.30pm.  Entrance is R60 for adults, R25 for children aged 3-12; and free for under-threes. See birdsofprey.co.za.

2) Break all your sugar rules

What else are holidays for but over-indulgence? Sugar-loving little ones will be spoilt for choice in Dullstroom. The several restaurants on the main drag include a branch of the famous Harrie’s Pancakes, where adventurous eaters can choose on the savoury side, with toppings such as bobotie with chutney vinaigrette and sticky pork with peaches. Traditionalists can have a delightfully fluffy specimen with the usual cinnamon etc.

There’s also a Waffle & Co, check out their Facebook page.

Several restaurants have lawns and playgrounds attached, including the Rose Garden (which also had a crooner doing easy-listening tunes on Sunday morning) and The Poacher, where the playground was enjoyed considerably more than we enjoyed the food.

There seems to be a high proportion of old-fashioned sweet stores — probably thanks to the high number of tour busses, which disgorge their tourists to root through the trinket shops and buy up all the fudge. Find these at the Old Transvaal Inn (Bert’s Handmade Sweets and Chocolates), Trams Antiques and even the DVD store.  

3) Ride horses

Peppered with trout dams and lush, rolling landscapes, the Dullstroom area is a fine spot to go galloping into the hills. Little children, even with no experience, can take pony rides around a trout dam while handlers walk ahead of the horses and hold the reins. 

The Dunkeld Country & Equestrian Estate dunkeldestate.co.za, has rides daily at noon and 2.30pm (R90 for 30 minutes). Fifteen kilometres out of town, the Dullstroom Riding Centre also offers out-rides and, for small children, led pony rides. Booking essential. See dullstroomhorseriding.co.za.

4) Get artsy

At the iCreate gallery and studio, Faith Lello sells artworks and offers mosaic classes for all ages. Younger children can while away a few hours at painted tables in the studio, doing sand art or paint-and-stick. Call  082-451-0509.

A little further up the main road, Lello’s daughter, Sharon Mann, offers mixed-media art classes and customised pieces at Anything But Dull for ages 12 and up. Bring your own pieces to paint or buy something in town — it’s a fun way to achieve some family bonding. Pottery is also an option as the studio has a kiln. Call 083-309-8140, e-mail sharon@anythingbutdull or visit anythingbutdull.co.za.

5) Poke around the old toy store

Polly Potter’s is actually a chain  with several stores  in the Big Smoke — and one in Gardens, Cape Town  —  but their emphasis on old-fashioned wooden, educational toys and puzzles seems especially fitting in this quaint old town and especially inside the Old Transvaal Inn, with its stone walls, deep porch and pretty front garden. The store itself has two-storeys of delightful things to ooh and aah about. Choosing will prove a challenge. See  pollypotterstoystore.co.za.

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6) Practise their table manners

 In a town full of restaurants, perhaps the most charming is Mrs Simpson’s, named after the American divorcée who in 1936 inspired England’s King Edward VIII to abdicate the throne so he could marry her.

While the inside is draped with bags and shoes, for which she had a penchant, outside is mainly dedicated to the cat, which apparently is named after her, too.

She (the cat — I presume she’s a she) has her own speed bump in the street outside, painted with cats, alongside a yellow traffic sign: “Wallis Crossing”. On  Saturday night, diners cram inside  for delicious South African staples, such as lamb shank, Durban curry and malva pudding.

All divine. While this one is really more for the parents, they will let you bring children — “as long as they behave”, they said when I called. There is a small kiddie menu and the staff went out of their way to treat mine kindly, even letting them nap on the leather couch when sitting still got too much.   

Win a Getaway

Behind the Inn is offering one lucky Travel reader a free weekend stay on Friday 24 and Saturday 25 June - worth over R5,000. The winner must be available for those dates and be able to make their own way to Dullstroom. Meals are not included.

To enter, send an e-mail (one entry per person please) to travelmag@sundaytimes.co.za. Put "Dullstroom Competition" in the subject line and tell us: "What is the fastest creature on Earth?" Entries close at noon on Wednesday June 7.

The winner will be notified by e-mail and named in our June 12 edition.