Mpumalanga Highlands
Highland Gate
Gleneagles at two thousand metres
Location
Dullstroom
Designer
Ernie Els Design
Opened
2014
Holes
18
Par
72
Length
6,529 m
The course
Eighteen kilometres from Dullstroom, in the Steenkampsberg range, Highland Gate winds through high-altitude grassland, stone koppies and natural trout dams. Ernie Els compared the site to Gleneagles and routed it accordingly.
At over 2,000 metres the ball flies noticeably further and the mornings are cold enough for log fires. It is the perfect first round of a Kruger journey — golf in the mist before the descent into the Lowveld heat.
Signature hole
13th — a downhill par 3 across a trout dam, with the ball hanging in the thin highland air
Wildlife
Highland crane, blesbok and reedbuck on the estate; trout in the dams for anyone who wants a rod as well as a driver.
Reviews
What our golfers said
“A complete surprise. Nobody flies to South Africa expecting Scotland, and then you play Highland Gate in the mist and it is exactly that. Beautifully kept.”
“The altitude adds a club and a half and the views are superb. Great start to the trip before dropping down to the Lowveld.”
“Peaceful, quiet, well presented. Take the fly-fishing option if you have a spare afternoon.”
