Cleopatra Mountain Farmhouse Central Drakensberg

The Cleopatra Mountain Farmhouse is located in a magnificent setting with splendid views of the mountains and running with crystal clear streams and waterfalls in the Drakensberg Mountain, KwaZulu Natal. It provides its guests with a home away from home where peace, tranquillity and solitude can be enjoyed to its fullest.

The Cleopatra Mountain Farmhouse nestles in the most beautiful Kamberg valley in the Drakensberg Mountains near Giant's Castle which is located just below the Highmoor Dam in KwaZulu Natal, South Africa. This country retreat is approximately 4.5 hours from Johannesburg and 2 hours from Durban and can be reached via good roads.

This five star gourmet getaway is tucked deep into the KwaZulu Natal’s Drakensberg Mountains surrounded by the Giants Castle Nature Reserve. Beautifully situated on the edge of a trout filled dam, alongside the Little Mooi River, the soaring mountains rise majestically from the bottom of the garden.

Accommodation at the Cleopatra Mountain Farmhouse, Drakensberg

Individually decorated, the eleven rooms at Cleopatra are fast becoming world renowned for the innovative and creative décor. Each room has a theme and is filled with many articles pertaining to the colour scheme and theme. All rooms have a warm, snug bed with down duvets and pillows, fresh crisp, cotton sheets and mohair blankets. All have en suite bathrooms, TV, tea and coffee making facilities, mini bars, heaters, fans and warm towel rails. All have spectacular views. The comfort, peace and tranquility is untarnished by people and create memories that will take a lifetime to fade.

The dawn chorus, the sound of the river cascading over rocks and the quiet of the open spaces all hold wonderful opportunities to engage and soothe the mind. The sheer beauty of a landscape or the peace and tranquillity of a spot untarnished by people can be enough to restore equilibrium to any visitor. Wake up to the quiet of the country with the mountain mist rising silently knowing there is an unusual and exciting breakfast awaiting you.

Dining / Cuisine at the Cleopatra Mountain Farmhouse

Passion and dedication are the keywords in the Cleopatra kitchen – the chefs speciality is sauces, a subject very close to his heart. Fresh ingredients are essential, and being able to pick from the gardens minutes before serving is a real pleasure.

For the more exotic tastes, the gourmet chef spends hours hunting down local and imported ingredients of the highest quality such as flying in fresh salmon from Norway and procuring genuine Parma hams and cheeses from Italy. Guests are invited to stay at the Cleopatra Mountain Farmhouse to savour the many flavours of fine country cooking.

A friendly dining room filled with interesting artifacts and a large crackling fireplace invites guests to enjoy a world-class meal lovingly prepared by the hotel's award winning chef and his team. Passion and patience goes into the preparation of every dish with flavour paramount.

Menus change daily and local, imported and homegrown ingredients are used at their peak and a stroll through the vegetable and herb gardens will attest to this. A place in the country becomes a natural magnet to people who want to savour the flavours of home grown vegetables, farm fresh dairy products and home cured hams. The passion and patience that goes into the preparation of food is reflected in the tastes and textures.

Activities which can be enjoyed in the Drakensberg

Walking, hiking, cycling, swimming in mountain streams, trout fishing, bird watching, horse riding and excursions to local bushman paintings are just some of the activities enjoyed on the farm and in the area. With the frenzied pace of city life, the allure of an escape back to a more natural environment has grown stronger than ever.  The Cleopatra Mountain Farmhouse turns the dreams of an idyllic rural break into reality, with a superb collection of seasonal foods served in a unique country atmosphere.

Walking

The Highmoor Nature Reserve has been declared a world heritage site because of its inherent beauty. It is a 10 minute drive from the Cleopatra Mountain Farmhouse. There are three big Trout Dams which are stocked with Rainbow Trout. Wildlife includes Eland, Reedbuck, Oribi, Jackal, Serval, Rooikat, extensive birdlife and a huge diversity of flora. Cleopatra is situated on 500 acres of rolling hills and walking trails are available on the property

Horse Riding

Horse riding is available 10 minutes away from the Cleopatra Country Estate where the most beautiful Appaloosa horses can be found. The rides are approximately 2½ hours in duration and they cater for non-experienced and experienced riders. Your horse ride will take you over rolling hills with the most beautiful scenery and the horses are well suited to all types of terrain.

Fishing

Fishing is available all year round. The rivers in this area are stocked with Brown Trout whereas the dams are stocked with Rainbow Trout. Fishing is available at Highmoor and Kamberg as well as the Little Mooi River on the property of Cleopatra, rods are available for hire from the Lodge.

Helicopter

The Country House has a helicopter on standby which will pick guests up in the gardens and fly them over the Little Berg to Giants Castle. Guests will hover next to the Big Berg and fly over wildlife, rolling hills, rivers and land on top of the Little Berg for a glass of sparkling wine with Giants Castle in the back-ground. The flight is about ½ an hour in duration and a fantastic way of seeing Ukhahlamba (The Barrier of Spears).

Sani Pass

There are trips to the top of the Pass with Major Adventures leaving at 9:15 a.m. from the Underberg Inn & returning at 4.00 p.m.

Bushman Rock Art

Some of the rock art in the Drakensberg dates back over 3000 years. The best sighting in our area is at Kamberg (Little Berg), a 20 minute drive from Cleopatra and a 2 hour walk. Alternatively there is Rock Art at Giants Castle (Big Berg), a 45 minute drive, and a 45 minute walk with tours on the hour every hour from 09h00 – 15h00.

Midlands Meander

There are 184 craft stops on the Midlands Meander, from woodturners, to potters, to cheesemakers, to weavers and much much more.

Directions from Johannesburg to the Cleopatra Mountain Farmhouse

• take the N3 to Durban
• take the very left hand lane at the MAIN Mooi River Toll (Mooi River South Greytown)
• turn right - back over the highway until T-junction (Engen garage and Wimpy ahead)
• turn left and join the R103. Travel 10km south to Rosetta
• At Rosetta turn right onto the Kamberg Road (opposite the Ugly Duckling)
• stay on the tar road for 30 km until you reach the Cleopatra, Dondini & Silver Hill sign (also Highmoor & Glengarry sign)
• turn left onto this dirt road
• travel for 5 km until you reach a single lane bridge
• approx 500m after the bridge the road turns sharply left to climb the mountain
• at this corner you will see a concrete wall with the sign "CLEOPATRA"

Directions from Durban

• take the N3 to Johannesburg
• turn off at the Nottingham Road off ramp (exit 132)
• continue into Nottingham Road village (travel under the railway bridge)
• continue through Nottingham Road on the R103 north to Rosetta
• DO NOT TAKE THE KAMBERG ROAD AT NOTTINGHAM ROAD POLICE STATION
• at Rosetta turn to the left and follow the Kamberg Road (opposite the Ugly Duckling)
• stay on the tar road for 30 km until you reach the Cleopatra, Dondini & Silver Hill sign (also Highmoor & Glengarry sign)
• turn left onto this dirt road
• travel for 5 km until you reach a single lane bridge
• approx 500m after the bridge the road turns sharply left to climb the mountain
• at this corner you will see a concrete wall with the sign "CLEOPATRA"

Climate

As we are situated in the Drakensberg, summer temperatures may range from 20° C to 30° C during the day, often with dramatic afternoon thunderstorms. Winter daytime temperatures range from 10°C to 25°C and the night temperatures can drop to below 0° C.

The Cleopatra Mountain Farmhouse Winners of:

• BEST NEW RESTAURANT - Eat Out
• AA GOLD ACHIEVEMENT - 1 of only 30 chosen in South Africa
• TOP 100 RESTAURANT - Wine Magazine
• 5 STAR CHEF - Wine Magazine - 1 of only 19 chosen in South Africa