Mother’s Day is a day honouring mothers, celebrated on various days in many places around the world.
It is the day when you acknowledge your mother’s contribution in your life and your partner’s contribution to your children’s lives as their mother. Mother’s Day is the day you pay tribute to her and the occasion is celebrated with gifts, cards and other tokens of affection. Mothers’s Day is now one of the most popular days of the year to dine out.
South Africa, along with many countries of the world, celebrates Mother’s Day annually on the 2nd Sunday of May.
Why not escape to the Highlands of Mpumalanga and the relaxed country atmosphere of Dullstroom- with that special lady in your life over the Mother's Day weekend (11th- 13th May) Stonecutters Lodge near Dullstroom is offering a special deal over this weekend.
Mothers Day falls on Sunday the 13th of May and no one deserves to be spoilt more than a mother! Treat her (or the special lady in your life) to a 2 night stay at Stonecutters where we will be celebrating the day in style with a fabulous FREE Mother’s Day Champagne Breakfast. (A continental buffet followed by a hot breakfast menu selection with a complimentary glass of bubbly- non-alcoholic optional). If you book a third night a 50% discount would apply to the accommodation on night 3. Optional extras to really impress Mother include flowers and sparkling wine on ice in her room on arrival.
Alternatively- A gift voucher would make an ideal Mothers’ Day Gift!
So head for the Highlands on this ever popular weekend- there are many eateries in the quaint town of Dullstroom but book early for the Mother's Day weekend to avoid disappointment.
Freedom Day in South Africa - what a wonderful name for a Public Holiday! But let us not loose sight of the reason behind the holiday. On this date, 27th April, in 1994, the first democratic and non-racial national election was held in South Africa. The Apartheid government had freed Nelson Mandela from 27 years as a political prisoner and the country had emerged as a true democracy.
To exercise this new-found freedom, everyone over 18 years of age, of any race were allowed to vote. The ANC (African National Congress) was voted into power and Nelson Mandela was elected as the first President of South Africa on 10th May. The concept of freedom of movement, even within their own country, was a new one for many South Africans. The freedom to travel anywhere without a pass , to enjoy any beach, to travel and experience any part of this beautiful country – all this was part of the new era.
Freedom Day is celebrated with a great enthusiasm by all of us who wish to remember and pay tributes to those who sacrificed their lives to gain liberation for South Africa. Celebrations and social events take place throughout the country and many take the opportunity to travel over the long week-end, relaxing and enjoying our beautiful country.
So go away this long-weekend and enjoy all the freedom South Africa has to offer! Celebrate Freedom Day in Mpumalanga in the unspoilt country atmosphere of Dullstroom. To celebrate Freedom Day Stonecutters Lodge near Dullstroom, Mpumalanga, is giving away a free night on any 3 –night booking made.
Book a stay at Stonecutters Lodge, in Mpumalanga!
Illustration by Debspoons
Dullstroom is the hub of the Mpumalanga Trout Triangle and as such is well-known and beloved by many, while to some it is an undiscovered gem. But for all, there is no better time to visit Dullstroom than at the Easter week-end when the village will be buzzing!
An additional highlight is the Tonteldoos Country Festival which is on daily from 06-10 April. With food and deli-stalls, beer garden, donkey-cart rides and all manner of country goods for sale, this will be a fun-filled family excursion. 
The cooler weather has brought sunny days and chilly nights, so bring a jacket! The restaurants will pull out all the stops with their best cuisine and fine wine and in some restaurants live entertainment will be offered. Cheese tasting, chocolate cups from the fountain in the chocolate shop and beer from the micro brewery will all be on offer. Fine art, mosaic, sculpture, pottery, glasswork, and beadwork will be well represented by talented local artists. At some centres, artists will be showing-off their creative talents and interacting with visitors.
Not to be missed is The Bird of Prey Centre has a wonderful display of birds in action and a great petting farmyard for the kiddies. There are also a number of excellent day spa’s in the area to pamper those in need of ultimate relaxation!
For those interested in trout-fishing, the waters are now cooling down and the fish are actively feeding, so this is an excellent opportunity to throw in a line. The many fly-fishing lodges in the Dullstroom area offer dam and river fishing for both novices to the sport and to fly-fishing enthusiasts.
Accommodation is booking up fast, so don’t delay in sourcing the right destination for your budget and family needs. Whether you require budget accommodation or five star luxury, Dullstroom is the place to be this Easter!
2012 hails the 25th anniversary of the Longtom Marathon, one of South Africa’s most popular road races. Consistently voted amongst the top 5 ultra marathons in South Africa for the past five years, it is undoubtedly one of the toughest ultra marathon challenges in the country.
The route traverses the Drakensberg between Sabie and Lydenburg in Mpumalanga through spectacular mountain scenery. The 25th anniversary race celebrates the unique lifespan of one of the country’s prestige road running events.
A family fun day is planned at the finish venue with food markets and entertainment activities such as a hot air balloon, parachutists, jumping castles and plenty of kiddies entertainment. Various VIP and celebrity athletes will participate in the event. A number of national media representatives and well known sports writers will be rendering media coverage to the event. Athletes will receive a special 25th anniversary medal as well as the sought after shirts which have become a trademark of the Longtom Marathon.
The Ultra Marathon stretches the limits of any professional athlete, whilst the mostly downhill Half Marathon makes the route accessible for runners from entry level onwards. The race has been rated by runners such as Nick Bester, Deon Holtzhauzen and Chris Reyneke as on a par with the Comrades. It is indeed a Comrades qualifier and makes for excellent pre-Comrades training. The 56km route starts off in Sabie at an altitude of 1 000m, reaches its highest point at Mauchsberg at 2 150m, where it turns downhill again to finish in Lydenburg at 1 380m. The 21.1km route starts on the highest point of the mountain, at Mauchsberg and ends with the 56km in Lydenburg.
Accommodation for runners and their supporters is available in Lydenburg and Sabie and a little further out, in Dullstroom.
Stonecutters Lodge lies 35 kms from Dullstroom and 25 kms from Lydenburg. Book now to avoid disappointment and enjoy a luxurious stay in this 4 star lodge.
Prior to 2002 South Africa had no formal grading body. Diamond grading, Portfolio Collection grading and others had come forward with systems that did not take off and did more harm than good by imbuing any grading system with skepticism in the minds of travelers within South Africa. The South African Grading association was thus faced with an uphill battle to win the hearts and minds of both the establishment owners who were to pay for the privilege of being graded and the guests who were trying to evaluate the suitability of venues. But slowly the benchmarking criteria were standardized and management processes and systems were refined. This culminated in 2008 in a major overhaul of the entire Grading Council criteria and operating system and this has resulted in world class standards that we as South Africans can be extremely proud of.
Most worthwhile establishments are now Star Graded and it has become the norm that any potential guest considering a venue that is not graded, will question why this is the case. The aim of the grading system is to ensure that guests are assured of certain standards when booking accommodation and that South Africa can maintain its international competitiveness as a tourist destination. We need to show that we can be world leaders in terms of quality assurance.
When visiting Dullstroom or Lydenburg -consider a SA tourism graded establishment. It does not matter whether you choose a 1 star establishment or 5 stars- at least you know what you can expect and what you would be paying for. There is sure to be a graded establishment in the area you wish to visit.
Stonecutters Lodge between Dullstroom and Lydenburg has just undergone an annual grading evaluation. We remain right at the top of the 4 Star evaluation for the 10th successive year. We value the stringent criteria of the assessor – bring it on!
We can thus assure our guests of a quality stay at our beautiful lodge - quality of the guest accommodation and the dining experience, quality of our state of the art boardroom, quality as a fly-fishing venue and last but not least, we pride ourselves on the quality of the service we give to our valued guests!
Tonteldoos is a small peach farming area near Dullstroom that organises an annual fun-filled festival. Originally this peach harvest celebration was held in February (and it was often rained out!) and that has morphed into a country fair held over the Easter week-end. (6/7/8th April 2012.)
The festival creates an opportunity for more people who are unfamiliar with the Dullstroom & Tonteldoos areas to visit and fall in love with the picturesque and peaceful environment. The many trout lodges offering fishing from dams and rivers will be finding the cooler weather resulting in better catches, making this an ideal breakaway opportunity for fly-fishing enthusiasts, with the festival rounding off an unforgettable family Easter experience.
About 2000 visitors and 80 stalls are expected at the 2012 festival. The programme includes birds of prey in action, food stalls, delicatessen stalls, beer garden, Mampoer tasting, all day musical entertainment and 'boere sport' to name only a few. The donkey cart rides have become renowned, with the donkeys vying for first prize for Donkey and Cart in Best Condition! In short: a fun filled day for young and old.
FACEBOOK PHOTOS
The festival venue is easy to find on Rocky Road Farm, a farm adjacent to the provincial road running through Tonteldoos and will be well marked. From Dullstroom: On the R540, the main road in Dullstroom (Hugenote Str), look out for signs directing you to Dunkeld. Go past Dunkeld and follow the road for some 25km to Tonteldoos. Directions will be set up in Dullstroom. Gates open at 9h00. For further information cantact Liz on 013 254 0702.
ACCOMMODATION Stay over in one of many guest houses / lodges in the area for the duration of Easter weekend and also enjoy excellent fly fishing, the beauty of nature and the peaceful country atmosphere. For further information click on the Festival Link
Stonecutters Lodge: 4-star accommodation 25 minutes from Dullstroom
Reduce, Re-Use, Recycle. These three R’s are of so much importance to our planet. Far rather our children and grandchildren run through piles of leaves than through piles of discarded rubbish. Our government wants to reduce the amount of plastic, cans, paper and glass going to landfills by 70 percent in the next decade or so. To meet that target, households need to stop simply throwing away rubbish and start implementing the three Rs.
There are definite advantages for the household too: by separating out the food waste from the recyclables there is a much smaller proportion of waste in a smelly dustbin. Fruit and veg and garden waste are ideal components in a compost heap – if you don’t have the garden space for this, consider a worm garden!
Recycling for your average suburban household in South Africa is a little more trouble: the infrastructure for collecting recyclable material isn’t really in place – yet. Households generally have to separate their rubbish and take the recyclables to a municipal drop-off centre or a buy-back centre. Many people just can’t be bothered but there are more and more households, complex dwellers and hospitality establishments* who are doing their bit for the planet.
*Stonecutters Lodge Recycling Programme:
Stonecutters Lodge between Dullstroom and Lydenburg in Mpumalanga implemented a recycling programme a year ago which is working extremely well. The lodge kitchen, as well as all the guests’ kitchens, are equipped with recycle bins which are emptied and carefully resorted by the lodge staff. All glass, clean paper and packaging, and plastic is set aside and the kitchen waste and ash from fireplaces and barbeques is trundled off to the compost heap. The recyclable goods are then loaded onto the bakkie and taken to the recyling company in Lydenburg. Only cooked kitchen waste is sent to the landfill -so trips to town (40kms return) have been reduced considerably- further reducing our carbon footprint.
We are also supporters of art projects by the local community and a supply of tin cans, bottle tops and caps are set aside to be used by craftsmen and end up as multi- coloured geckos and other imaginative items!
So our endevours also help job creation- a win-win for us, local craftsmen and South Africa.
We all need to be accountable for our carbon footprint and the waste we generate needs to be handled in an intelligent and responsible manner. Take a little time to make a positive contribution!
There is no time for complacency. We are using the Earth’s resources and need to consider ‘giving back’. If you haven't started a recycling programme in your home or business -it's not too late to start!
Some useful Links:
Sappi Paper/Refibre : Paper is is truly sustainable product. It's made from renewable resources, and is reusable, recyclable and bio-degarable.
Guide to recycling in South Africa
Recycling in Mpumalanga
Stonecutters Lodge between Dullstroom & Lydenburg in Mpumalanga supports the entrepreneurial projects of the local rural community
The plight of the rural community close to Stonecutters Lodge is a story that is played out in communities throughout South Africa. A large percentage of the community is jobless and many will never be employed. The lodge plays an active part in uplifting the local disadvantaged community in the rural village of Emshinini on Coromandel Estate. Most of our staff are drawn from this village and we take an active interest in the welfare of our staff both past and present: food hampers are delivered monthly to the homes of our staff and we also contribute to other households whom we know to be in need.
We have a close involvement with the primary school and every year we attend the year-end prize-giving and donate prizes for the children who receive dictionaries, calculators and stationery. Through our efforts Massmart has donated school backpacks filled with stationery, we have sourced a donation of a load of Bibles for the church and we have collected clothes to be handed out to the needy. But jobs, rather than hand-outs remain the priority and the encouragement of entrepreneurial skills is paramount. When sourcing new uniforms for our female staff last month, we were thrilled to learn of a competent seamstress in Emshinini.
Using last year’s caftan blouse as a pattern, Flora made 10 beautiful tops out of the African themed local print we had bought. She has a good sewing machine and an overlocker and produced a most professional product at the same rate that we would have paid locally in Lydenburg.
In the same vein, some time ago we realized that Mathayi Mgiba who lives on the hillside opposite Stonecutters has some wood-carving skills. We nurtured his talent , buying him materials and books on bead work and wirework.
We regularly supply him with our recycled beverage cans and bottle tops which he transforms into geckos, 
wire pictures and other items!He has been producing and selling for some years now and we are hoping that the new Workshop Gallery we are launching at Stonecutters will give Mathayi an additional outlet. This gallery had its birth in an artgroup which we have formed with like-minded amateur artists in our area. We meet on a weekly basis and this new creative space is a studio and gallery: we will be participating in the Art Meander which forms part of the Dullstroom Art Festival which takes place from the 16-18 December.
Stonecutters Lodge is a Proudly South African Company and as such is only too pleased to support the local rural community as we are among the few who have taken an interest in the plight of these villagers and we have a close connection with their daily struggles. It is so easy to purchase from a cheaper, overseas source but next time your business needs something -look around for the local option which impacts job creation in South Africa positively!
Photo courtesy SA Info
The Mpumalanga Highlands have some of the best scenery in South Africa and if you enjoy mountain biking you should try some of the local trails near Dullstroom. Some local off-road routes follow that can be enjoyed by the fit and not so fit!
Dullstroom MTB locals-ride Mon through to Fri starting at 06h00 in summer (30 - 40km) with a long ride on Sat starting at 07h00 (40 to 70 km) if not racing. Contact Greg or Charmaine for details – 013 – 254 0908 or 083 654 1367.
Dullstroom to Tonteldoos & back: A total of 46 km on dirt road with very little traffic and very safe. Climb to 2150m soon after leaving Dullstroom. There are a few climbs along the way but the route gradually drops to 1800m. You will pass numerous trout fishing syndicates and stunning farms. A midway break can be found at Pendlehill Dairy / Cheese Farm & Restaurant, a good point to reload your carbs and protein naturally. The return trip is back along the same road with a lot more climbing!
Kruisfontein Loop – Short:43 km in total predominantly on dirt road with 5km of tar included. This route can be done clockwise (Hardcore) or anti-clockwise (Wannabe). The Hardcore option starts in Dullstroom, heads out on the Belfast road, turns left @ Birds of Prey Centre onto the Kruisfontein rd, continue down the Kruisfontein road passing private trout syndicates and 3 Estate developments before turning left @ aprox 23 km @ the Morgonzon sign – at this point you dropped from 2050m in Dullstroom to 1750m. From hear you climb for 10 km up the escarpment past Wickhams Country Retreat (remember to look back and enjoy stunning views over the escarpment and down into the Kwena Basin at the top of the Wickhams climb), the ride eases off after the Wickhams climb (be warned this is a serious climb) with a few more climbs and drops for about 9 km before reaching the Lydenburg rd, turn left onto the tar back to Dullstroom.
The Wannabe route is done in the opposite direction and is easier but has the same amount of total climb. Be careful of the Wickhams decent. It is very steep and very rocky.
T6 Tonteldoos – De Berg Ring Road:
75 km in total, predominantly dirt road plus a portion of tar. Start in Dullstroom @ 2050m and head out on the Tonteldoos road climbing to 2150m, descend to Tonteldoos @ 1800m, pass Tonteldoos and continue round on the Rossenekal / Lydenburg / Stoffberg – tar rd climbing to 2256 m before turning right onto the De Berg – Nederhorst – dirt rd. At this point you are close to the highest point –De Berg - on the Steenkampsberg - the highest point in the old Transvaal Province @ 2331m and the highest tar road in South Africa @ 2256m (extremely good chance of snow in winter after cold fronts have hit). From here you ride along a stunning ridge @ 2200m with breathtaking views to your left and right before descending as you pass Veloren Valei (declared a Ramsar Site), down the pass, along the De Berg rd past magnificent farms with a final fast decent to the Lydenburg road. Turn right just before crossing the railway line and ride along next to the railway line on a jeep track. Route can be done either way. Not for the unfit!!
Kruisfontein / Machadodorp Ring Road:
33km in total on predominantly dirt road with 11km of tar. Start in Dullstroom; continue for 9km along the Belfast rd, turn left @ Elandskloof sign. Continue to the Valeispruit sign, turn left, ride along a very quite farm road before descending to the Kruisfontein rd, turn left onto the Kruisfontein rd straight into a good climb. Drop down to the Crocodile River with a few more climbs, reaching the tar road @ Birds of Prey Centre, turn right onto the tar and ride back into Dullstroom.
Railway Track:
Start in Dullstroom head for the Dullstroom Dam / Caravan Park, turn left just before the caravan park entrance, up the hill, turn right just before the railway track and follow the jeep track next to the railway line. Ride along next to the railway track on a jeep track past rolling hills and valleys, cross over the De Berg rd and continue up to as far as Santa Farm, which is just after Walkersons Country Estate. The return trip is along the same route.
De Berg Rd & back:
Up to 42 km of predominantly dirt road with about 8km of jeep track – Start in Dullstroom head for the Dullstroom Dam / Caravan Park, turn left just before the caravan park entrance, up the hill, turn right just before the railway track and follow jeep track next to the railway line to the De Berg rd, turn left onto De Berg rd & decide how far you want to go before turning round and returning to follow the jeep track back into Dullstroom. This route will take you past the Dullstroom Nature Reserve along the De Berg rd, which is lined by stunning farms and endless vistas of unspoilt Sub-alpine grasslands. Just before ascending a steep hill you will cross the Lynsklip River, a few dams on your right and, as you climb the hill, pass Veloren Valei on your left. Keep an eye out for Blue & Crowned Crane, Baldheaded Ibis and a variety of Raptors. There is a Quartz Crystal pit just before you reach the top of the hill on your left. As you descend down the other side of the climb you will pass a wetland area, in Veloren Valei that is home to a variety of rare endemic ground orchids.
Elandskloof, Winnaarspoort & Kloppenheim:
76 km in total predominantly on dirt road with 12 km of tar. Start in Dullstroom, head out on the Belfast rd for 9 km, turn left onto the Elandskloof dirt road continue for 13 km, turn left. Continue for 7 km before turning right. En route pass to 2 radio towers (Mareskop 2020m - at this point you will be able to enjoy an amazing view from the edges of the escarpment and down into the Kwena Basin) and enjoy a fast descent into a neck where you will turn right. Continue down through a stunning farm and Bluegum tree plantations, pass old farm buildings, a luxurious lodge and after 5 km reach a T-junction at Winnaarspoort. Turn right and follow for 4.5km, Machadodorp town and refinery can be clearly seen on your left. Ride until reaching a sign that indicates Dullstroom, turn right and continue up through an avenue of old trees and an old farmhouse. Ride along next to a crystal clear stream, up a steep rocky pass until after 7.5 km you get to the same crossing where you turned left up to the radio towers – continue straight back along the road for 7 km. Turn right onto the Valeispruit rd. 4 km along this road you will cross the Crocodile River. Continue another 3km before reaching the Kruisfontein rd after a fast decent. Turn left and onto the Kruisfontein rd straight into a good climb. Drop down to the Crocodile River with a few more climbs, reaching the tar road @ Birds of Prey Centre, turn right onto the tar and ride back into Dullstroom.
If you want to stay in the area consider staying at Stonecutters Lodge midway between Dullstroom & Lydenburg and conveniently situated for mountain biking routes in the area.
MOUNTAIN BIKING ROUTES NEAR LYDENBURG, MPUMALANGA
The Gustav Klingbiel Reserves is close to Lydenburg and the Long Tom Pass in Mpumalanga. The pass from its summit drops 1100m over 8kms in dramatic curves- this sets the scenery for mountain bikers and one can expect to experience the following terrains: thornveld & bushveld on the low-lying areas, montane grassland on hills and plateaus and little pockets of mountain forest in the ravines. The Klipgatspruit carves a deep valley through the mountains Buck and game are plentiful. Newly laid out mountain bike routes were recently added. Route Map
There are a few routes to follow the shortest being the Pedi-Route (5km long) and the longest being the Ribbok trail (20km) The Crane route is 9km and the Protea Route is 12kms.
The 20 km routes comprise a circular track which has some very difficult and technically challenging parts and some hair raising downhill single tracks.
There are also easy routes for children and those just staring out in this exhilerating sport!
The Klipgatspruit carves a deep valley through the mountains. Game are plentiful and include Eland, Zebra, Kudu, Impala, Blue Wilderbeest, Oribi, Grey Rheebuck, reedbuck, Blesbuck, and Bushbuck.For the bird enthusiast there are more than 200 birds in the area. The park IS very scenic and it is really worthwhile to pack a camera.
Archaeological ruins that date back to the iron age and remnants of Anglo-Boer forts lie in this park and the musem inside the park has examples of the iron age dating back to the 6th century including the famous Lydenburg heads.
The entrance fee to the park is R5 per biker or hiker.
