Whether you're a nature lover or an outdoor enthusiast, Valley of the Rainbow Wilderness Retreat is an incredible place to visit all year round. Surrounded by mountains, indigenous forests and rivers, Valley of the Rainbow offers the perfect getaway to experience peace and tranquillity away from city life.
The wilderness retreat is near the town of Dullstroom which is situated on the premier tourist route between Johannesburg and Pretoria and the attractions on the eastern escarpment and the lowveld regions of Mpumalanga.
Valley of the Rainbow Wilderness Retreat has a variety of accommodation options on offer.
The Manor House offers guests a choice of five rooms, two luxury, two classic and one standard, each with an en-suite bathroom. It also boasts a bar, a dining room, a conference room and a spacious lounge with an open fireplace for cold winter evenings, whilst its open deck overlooks a river running through the valley and gardens.
The picturesque Watermill, which was built in the 19th century has been renovated into two separate rooms (The Mill and the Mill room) with incredible views of the dams, mountains and forests.
Daily five course dinners and full breakfasts are included for guests staying in the Manor Guest House and the Watermill rooms.
The Country House is decorated in a classic country style and offers five comfortable double bedrooms, each with en-suite bathrooms, access to the veranda and magnificent views over the valley and mountains. The Country House is self-catering and accommodates a maximum of 10 people.
The Tented Chalets are for our more adventurous guests. Experience all nature has to offer, in comfortable tented accommodation. Each Tented Chalet is fitted with an en-suite bathroom, kitchenette and seating deck with stunning views of the hills, dams and valley.
Encounter the countryside from our Nature Log Cabins. These cabins are hidden within an indigenous forest and allow guests a secluded space to enjoy the tranquillity of nature. These one-bedroom cabins accommodate two people with a king size bed, en-suite bathroom fitted with a lovely tub and shower and a separate toilet. The closed combustion wood fireplace in the lounge area of the cabin creates an intimate atmosphere perfect for couples.
Come and relax in nature and embrace the unspoiled natural beauty on offer. Take a stargazing night walk, hike to the mountain rock pools and discover the patient art of fly-fishing in our waterways.
In Room Facilities:
The Manor Guest House offers guests a choice of five rooms, two luxury, two classic and one standard, each with an en-suite bathroom. The Manor Guest House boasts a bar, dining room, conference room and a spacious lounge with an open fireplace for cold winter evenings, whilst the open deck overlooks a river running through the valley and gardens.
Manor House Luxury Suites: large room with lounge area, 2 King size beds, television with Bouquet DStv selection, a small Bar fridge and en-suite bathroom (Bath & Shower).
Manor House Classical Suites: large room with lounge area, 1 king sized bed, television with shared DStv bouquet and en-suite bathroom (Bath only).
Manor House Standard Suite: cosy room with 1 king size bed, small lounge area and en-suite bathroom (Shower only).
The picturesque watermill which was built in the 19th century has been renovated into two separate rooms with incredible views of the dams, mountains and forests. The Mill, opens to a social bar and lounge area fitted with a bar fridge, wine cooler and TV with DSTV connection. The fireplace on the lower floor offers guests a cosy spot to warm up in winter. On the mezzanine level, The Mill is furnished with a plush double bed and bathroom.
The Mill Room adjacent to The Mill, is spacious with a plush king size bed, a lounge area with a TV and DSTV connection, wine cooler, bar fridge and an en-suite bathroom fitted with a shower. On cold winter days you can snuggle up next to the fireplace inside or wind down with late afternoon sundowners on the veranda overlooking the river.
The Country House is decorated in a classic country style and offers five comfortable double bedrooms, each with en-suite bathrooms, access to the veranda and magnificent views over the valley and mountains. The Country House is self-catering and accommodates a maximum of 10 people.
The Tented Chalets provide our more adventurous guests with the opportunity experience all nature has to offer, in comfortable tent accommodation. Each Tented Chalet is fitted with an en-suite bathroom, kitchenette and seating deck with stunning views of the hills, dams and valley. The Family Tented Chalets sleeps four people in comfortable single beds. The Couples Tented Chalet sleeps two people in a cosy king size bed.
Encounter the countryside from our Nature Log Cabins. The Log Cabins are hidden within an indigenous forest and allows guests a secluded space to enjoy the tranquillity of nature. These one-bedroom cabins accommodate two persons with a king size bed, en-suite bathroom fitted with a lovely tub and shower. The kitchen area includes a bar fridge, microwave, cutlery and crockery. The closed combustion wood fireplace in the lounge area of the cabin creates an intimate atmosphere perfect for couples.
Area Information:
Valley of the Rainbow Wilderness Reserve is located near the towns of Dullstroom and Belfast in Mpumalanga. Dullstroom is a picturesque fly-fishing village with a variety of shops and restaurants. The Wilderness Retreat combines the beauty of an awe-inspiring natural landscape with convenience and hospitality.
Sprawling over almost 1000 hectares mountains and cradled in a valley surrounded by mountains the venue is a sanctuary of indigenous forests, dams, rivers and waterfalls. Visitors will experience the peace and tranquillity of the venue, prolific birdlife including 5 kingfisher species, the fish eagle and endangered blue crane, variety of game including buck, vervet monkey, bush pig, cerval cat and the clawless otter.
The Wilderness Retreat is about three hours drive, on a national highway, from Johannesburg and Pretoria, making short holiday breaks or a stop-over to the Kruger National Park a pleasure.
Property Facilities:
The Manor House has a spacious lounge with an open fire-place for cold winter evenings, bar, dining room with fireplace, and TV room. The spacious deck overlooks a river running through the valley.
Meals can be taken in the Manor House at an extra price for self-catering guests.
The restaurant offers a superb menu. A comprehensive wine list complements the food beautifully.
Outdoor activities include:
Fly-fishing - Aside from the spectacular diverse fauna and flora, Valley of the Rainbow Wilderness Reserve has the Witpoort river flowing through the property. Guests can experience fly-fishing in rivers and dams surrounded by indigenous forests. The river feeds five large dams around the estate, stocked with brown and rainbow trout and bass.
Hiking - The mountains and valleys of Valley of the Rainbow Wilderness Reserve invite guests to go wandering along the hiking trails on which one can expect to find a variety of small game, over 200 species of birds, and an abundance of wild flowers and plants.
Stargazing- The clear, dark skies and the lack of light pollution makes Valley of the Rainbow Wilderness Reserve the perfect stargazing spot.
Cycling- Mountain biking enthusiasts will be happy to hear about the trails in and around Valley of the Rainbow Wilderness Reserve. Be sure to bring along your mountain bike and cycle the Welgevonden jeep track or Tonteldoos route. Immersed in the outdoors abundant with wildlife, cyclists will be pleased with the atmosphere the estate has to offer.
Bird Watching - From water birds like the Malachite Kingfisher and Fish Eagles to Swallows and Sugar-birds, you will be amazed by the unique birdlife sightings during your stay.
Picnic - Be sure to experience a magical picnic during your stay at Valley of the Rainbow Wilderness Reserve. Immerse yourself in nature with a delicious picnic in the forest, next to the dams or river.
Attractions:
Surrounding attractions include:
The Historic Water Mill which has been operating for more than 100 years and is still in a working condition. It was in use during the Anglo Boer War.
Archaeological stone ruins are situated in the mountains on the Estate. Near Laersdrif, 12 kilometers from Valley of the Rainbow, there is a historial police station which was imported during the Anglo Boer War for use as a Post Office.
There is also a stone church with a dome which is over 100 years old.
Mapoch's Caves are a historic site for Ndebele people with an interesting history. Situated near Roossenekal, approximately 30 km from Valley of the Rainbow Wilderness Reserve
Adventure activities include fly-fishing, hiking, Stargazing, Mountain biking and bird watching. Picnics and packed lunches can be arranged.
