Highland Gate Golf & Trout Estate ☆ Follow

Located two and a half hours from Johannesburg, nestled in the Steenkampsberg mountain range near Dullstroom, the Highland Gate Golf and Trout Estate features an Ernie Els signature golf course. The course is an 18-hole, par-72 championship layout spanning 6,710 meters from the back tees, incorporating dramatic elevation changes, natural water features, and indigenous vegetation. The course sits around 2,000 meters above sea level, perhaps the highest-up of any courses on major rankings. Rated by many as a Top 20 South African course, the expansive open parkland layout contains many excellent holes as it rolls its way through pleasantly undulating terrain.

The pristine course takes advantage of the dramatic natural terrain and vegetation, featuring a mix of Highveld grasslands, stone 'koppies' inherent to the Dullstroom area, natural water features and sweeping changes in elevation. The layout features a particularly strong set of par-3s, with the 4th hole notable as an uphill approach to a well-shaped green. The 1,750-acre property spans 700 hectares with less than a third developed, preserving the natural landscape.

The estate includes three fly-fishing dams in an area known as South Africa's premier fly-fishing destination. Outdoor activities available include hiking, fly fishing, mountain biking, and bird watching. The course has matured significantly since its opening, now offering a balanced challenge for golfers of all skill levels.