Hidden 5-star gem between Johannesburg and the Kruger National Park

·2 Feb 2026

Walkersons Hotel and Spa, located 10 kilometres outside of Dullstroom, is a hidden gem which offers luxury accommodation in an exquisite 800-hectare private estate.

The Walkersons hotel was built in 1993 by Howard and Ingrid Walker, who were inspired by the local beauty and conditions to create a Scottish country manor establishment.

The Walkers sold the hotel in 2008, but it retained its old charm while meeting the needs of modern travellers.

The Walkersons estate boasts numerous trout fishing dams, a lush mountain reserve, and a variety of fauna and flora.

Apart from the hotel and spa, the estate also has numerous houses scattered across the landscape. Many of these houses are available for short-term rentals on Airbnb.

The estate has excellent security and natural mountain barriers on most sides. It also has great wildlife, including zebra, blesbok, black wildebeest, and mountain reedbuck.

There are also cape clawless otters in the dams and rivers, servals, black-backed jackal, mongoose, and porcupines.

Walkersons is recognised as a birder-friendly destination, with blue, grey-crowned, and wattled cranes, fish eagles, red-chested flufftails, and Gurney’s sugarbirds.

The hotel offers guided horse rides from the equestrian centre, which is one of the best ways to get close to the wildlife.

There are also many hiking trails which take visitors to all parts of the estate, including the upper mountain reserve section, where most of the game stays.

For those looking to stay fit, there is a network of 3,000m of paved paths and mountain trails for walking, jogging, and mountain biking.

The estate is also famous for its catch-and-release fly-fishing culture and offers extensive infrastructure for outdoor enthusiasts.

For those arriving by air, the estate features a well-maintained 1-kilometre tarred runway for light aircraft and a helipad.

Walkersons Hotel and Spa

BusinessTech visited the Walkersons Hotel and Spa for a weekend getaway. We booked the dinner, bed, and breakfast special, priced at around R10,000 for the stay.

Travelling from Pretoria took just under 3 hours, and the roads were in good condition. There were two toll roads, which cost around R130 combined.

On arrival, friendly hotel staff welcomed us and took our luggage to the room while we checked in. It was all well organised.

The room was spacious and offered excellent views. It was private and gave guests direct access to the hotel’s amenities.

We had lunch at The Terrace, and the food and service were top-notch. Pricing is in line with what you would expect from a quality restaurant.

Dinner was served at The Flying Scotsman. Guests are offered a refined 3-course gourmet experience. The price included all food, but guests had to pay for their drinks.

The food was exceptional. It was fine dining at its best, in a great setting, and the staff was friendly and attentive.

The same goes for breakfast, which was also served in The Flying Scotsman. It included fruit, baked goods, and a selection of warm breakfast options.

Walkersons Hotel and Spa guests can enjoy numerous activities during the day, including horse riding, cycling, fishing, hiking, or golf cart rides.

There is also a top-class spa at the boutique wellness facility located within the hotel grounds, designed to complement the tranquil highlands atmosphere.

For shopping, they can visit the close by Dullstroom, which has a range of unique shops and restaurants.

We spent most of our time at the estate. It was extremely peaceful and offered guests the perfect environment to relax during a weekend away.

Walkersons Hotel and Spa offers a world-class experience which is on par with most luxury hotels in South Africa.