The Best Places to Stay on the Highlands Meander ~ Three of South Africaโs top self-drive routes – the Highlands Meander, the Panorama Route and the lesser-known Waterfalls Route – take in some of the most incredible mountain scenery the country has to offer.
All of them are in Mpumalanga where you can also access the Kruger National Park with ease.
Scroll down for the best places to stay on the Highlands Meander
Mpumalanga straddles the Drakensberg Mountains, combining both Lowveld and Highveld in a mix of humid grasslands and cool, quiet forests. Trout fishing, hiking and misty forest hikes are high on the agenda.
Dullstroom is, without doubt, the highlight town of the Highlands Meander South Africa (weโve plenty of places to stay in Dullstroom on our list below) but it gets busy, particularly over weekends.
Weโve plenty of other out of the way places, beautiful spaces, on the Highlands Meander – anything from boutique hotels to farm stays and trout lodges.
Wherever you stay, the Highlands Meander South Africa will get under your skin – the views, the dams, the trout fishing, the hideaways – we know youโll be back for more.
Dullstroom
Riverman Cabin in Dullstroom
Nestled in the beautiful valley of Tonteldoos, Riverman Cabin is the perfect place to exchange traffic for donkeys lazily grazing, rushed lunches for a picnic in the country and city noises for an evening song, sung by crickets and orchestrated by frogs.
Blue Crane Farm Trout & Wildlife Estate
Blue Crane Farm is a superb fly-fishing location including two exquisitely maintained and abundantly stocked trout dams.
The well-known fly fishing resort of Dullstroom, with all of its amenities, stores, restaurants, and activities, is just ten minutes’ drive from the farm.
Lake Heron Game & Trout Farm
10kms from Dullstroom, cute outdoes itself at Lake Heron in the form of three farm cottages in the Elandskloof Valley with a play on stone, wooden beds, simplicity and country living.
But the best is the views over the dams and the surrounding hills. Did we mention the wildlife?
Kliphuisjes
Youโre going to love this selection of four stone cottages (self-catering) in amongst the blue gum trees on a large property in Dullstroom.
Think misty mornings, wood fires, fly fishing, mountain biking, walks and access to snow in winter.
Lydenburg
De Ark Guest House
De Ark is romance with a capital โRโ – from the wallpaper to the heavy velvet drapes, youโll love the Baroque, Edwardian, Tudor, Gothic and Italian Renaissance rooms.
Thereโs a garden gazebo, the dining room is hung with period art pieces, and thereโs an English pub. What more could you want from your accommodation?
Verlorenkloof
Think farmstay, activities out in nature and views to match. Verlorenkloof has three crofts that sleep six and 10 each, fully equipped for self-catering stays.
Careful, though, you might not want to leave … making this one of our best places to stay on the Highlands Meander.
Akabeko Boutique Hotel
Riverside accommodation in only seven spacious suites where glass and stone feature prominently to blend with the natural peacefulness of the area.
Think your own fireplace, mosaic sunken bath and luxurious deck, and if youโre tired of relaxing then there is lunch on the terrace or a stroll along the river.
Stonecutters Lodge
Think of Stonecutters as your halfway stopover en route to Kruger, to experience trout fishing in the midst of the mountains, your views unspoilt by anything man made.
Stay in family houses, Stone Cottage or the Trout House (Cobbles studios are perfect for couples).
Aqua Terra Guest House
Just outside Lydenburg, get lost in amongst the shady willow trees, rolling lawns and the opportunity to sip your coffee enjoying the sunrise over the Long Tom Pass.
Quirky, beautiful and comfortable in equal measure gets this guest house included in our list of the best places to stay on the Highlands Meander.
Rivendell Trout Estate
Just outside Lydenburg, the view from the balcony of the self-catering house on this trout estate alone is worth a booking.
One could sit here all day and pay little heed to anything pressing other than the odd fly fishing or hiking.
Waterval Boven
Shamrock Arms
Set in an historical stone building with a green tin roof, a front stoep on which to enjoy breakfast and the garden, this accommodation option gives you country village at its best, with just a hint of Irish pub thrown into the mix.
Youโll be happy and comfortable here.
