Over the past decade investor interest led to a property boom in the quaint village of Dullstroom - especially in the Leisure estate market. Lifelong visitors to Dullstroom, who are very protective of ‘their village’, were initially worried that this quiet country town was going to lose its country atmosphere. Contrary to popular belief, though, McDonalds isn’t coming to Dullstroom!

What the boom did do was bring economic sustainability to the area and to attract some welcome new services including the local pharmacy opening up 3 years ago.  Dullstroom, due to its fortuitous geographical location – snap bang in the middle of the popular Johannesburg to Kruger National Park tourist route – and its easy 2.5hour drive from Gauteng, ensured the constant trickle of investment to help it through the economic downturn.  Since the beginning of the year with the help of the Soccer World Cup, economic activity has picked up and continues at a steady rate.

In the past, Dullstroom was the stomping ground of avid fly fishermen who kept the area’s world class trout fishing waters their carefully guarded secret.  The town slowly grew in popularity until it was put on the map when the Sunday Times national “Finders Keepers” competition hid the R1million prize at the famous Dullstroom Inn.  The secret was out and Dullstroom now attracts visitors not only wanting to fish, but who just want to relax in the country taking part in various activities from horse-riding and mountain biking to antique-hunting and eating in quaint country restaurants.

Today many visitors come simply to unwind while the locals make a living from busy country enterprises. Estate development has been a natural progression. However, most of the land secured for estates is well outside the village, and most such developments want to preserve the atmosphere of quiet seclusion that discerning investors seek. Offering a taste of country living, Dullstroom is an authentic country village perfect for escaping the concrete jungle.

City slickers wishing to move their families to a safe and nurturing environment (together with the growth of mobile  offices and better broadband access in the area), has fuelled a fast growing trend of permanent relocations to the area.  With Johannesburg and the international airport an easy 2,5hour commute this trend is not likely to abate anytime soon.  

As Trish Kennedy, Sales Director of Dullstroom’s Zest Property Group observes, “This year alone property sales have doubled since 2009 and so have our property enquiries in the first two quarters of the year.  Most interest has been in residential homes around the R1million mark, however we have seen vacant land and agricultural farms start to pick up momentum”.