Santa was established as a trout fishing syndicate as early as the 1940s, making it one of the oldest syndicates in the Dullstroom area. The Santa Fly Fishing Syndicate continues to operate, but activities on the property have diversified over the years. Our cottages can now be booked on an ad hoc basis, with fishing available on a daily rod rate basis.

In addition to its fishing waters and accommodation, Santa operates as a working cattle farm, with a herd of over 400 cattle, of mixed Nguni, Angus, and Limousine heritage. The vastness of the Reserve and its diverse habitats, make Santa a wonderful destination for outdoor enthusiasts, including hikers, mountain bikers, birders, botanists, etc.

Sub-divided by the Lunsklip River, and dotted with 13 large, well-stocked dams, Santa remains a superb fishing destination.

Accommodation at Santa consists of 4 cosy, comfortably equipped, stone-walled cottages. Each self-catering and serviced cottage has a lounge with a fireplace, a dining room, and a well-equipped kitchen. Heaters in the bedrooms and electric blankets ensure you stay snug during Dullstroom’s bracing winter nights.

Enjoy the verandas and braai facilities on summer days. The cottages are all situated on different parts of the Reserve, offering you complete privacy.

These include Verloren Valei Nature Reserve, De Berg Nature Reserve, the Tim Tilden-Davis Nature Reserve, Middelpunt Nature Reserve, and the Greater Lakenvlei Protected Environment. Several of these protected areas are internationally recognised RAMSAR sites.

These various reserves, including Santa Nature Reserve, make an essential contribution to the conservation of important species, ecological processes, ecosystem services. Santa Nature Reserve falls within an Endangered Ecosystem Type; qualifies as an “Irreplaceable” Critical Biodiversity Area, falls within the Steenkampsberg Important Bird Area, and forms part of a Strategic Water Source Area. The Reserve includes an extensive area of high-altitude wetlands and riverine systems. With less than 10% of Mpumalanga’s wetlands being still in their natural state, this contribution is crucial. The Lunsklip River, which flows through the Reserve, is one of the main tributaries of the Crocodile River.

Santa Nature Reserve houses several endemic and critical species including Blue and Wattled Cranes, Oribi, etc. It forms part of a recognised Birdlife birding route, and the accommodation on the Reserve is Birdlife Recommended. The Reserve contributes to Mpumalanga’s Protected Area Expansion Strategy, which aligns with South Africa’s National Protected Area Expansion Strategy. The declaration of Santa Nature Reserve has been supported by Birdlife South Africa, WWF, EWT, and Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks (MTPA).