Overview of Cleopatra Mountain Farmhouse

Adjoining the Giants Castle Nature Reserve and sitting alongside a mountain river brimming with trout, Cleopatra Mountain Farmhouse is a romantic gourmet getaway in the heart of the spectacular Drakensberg mountain range. This rustic, yet luxurious owner run mountain retreat is the ideal escape from the harried pace of life, to a serene and scenic location.

Work up an appetite enjoying outdoor activities such as trout fishing, bird-watching, hiking and horse-riding before savouring the taste of the globally recognised gourmet cuisine, prepared by award-winning chefs. A guided nature walk with an expert guide can also be arranged. The Kamberg Valley, home to the Fly-fishing Festival, is one of South Africa’s top fishing regions. Cleopatra Mountain Farmhouse has a charming and cosy atmosphere, and is the ideal base from which to explore Highmoor dam, the Kamberg Nature Reserve, and the endless scenic trails of the impressive Drakensberg Mountains.

Highlights & Activities

What's on offer whilst on this itinerary?
  • Spectacular views of the Little Drakensberg
  • One of South Africa's best culinary retreats
  • Enjoy 7-course gourmet dinners
  • Experience relaxed, country hospitality
  • Go hiking, horse-riding, fishing & bird-watching
  • Stay in individually decorated rooms
Biking

Biking

Bird watching

Bird watching

Canoeing

Canoeing

Cultural visits

Cultural visits

Fishing

Fishing

Fly fishing

Fly fishing

Helicopter flights

Helicopter flights

Hiking

Hiking

Historical tours

Historical tours

Horse riding

Horse riding

Rooms at Cleopatra Mountain Farmhouse

Unwind and relax, in your own private luxury
  • standard-double-room1

    Standard Room

    The five elegant Standard Rooms are situated close to the Main House and overlook the dam. The cosy and charming rooms feature an open-plan sitting area and en suite bathroom.

    • room17

      Executive Cottage

      The two Executive Cottages are stand alone units with their own private veranda overlooking the nearby wetland and mountains. Spacious, open-plan and beautifully decorated, the executive cottages are great for families.

      General Facilities

      Cleopatra Mountain Farmhouse gives you endless opportunities to bird watch, go fishing in the Mooi River brimming with brown trout, and hike the scenic trails of the Drakensberg and Kamberg Nature Reserve. Swim in cold mountain rivers or in the Highmoor Dam, enjoy a horseback ride along the mountain trails, or a guided nature walk.

      For something more relaxed, choose a hammock in the tranquil setting of the beautiful garden, take one of the cookery classes that are offered, or spend some time in the cosy library while inspecting all the fascinating family collectables.

      Fireplace

      Fireplace

      Laundry service

      Laundry service

      Room service

      Room service

      Safe

      Safe

      Wi-Fi available

      Wi-Fi available

      Dining

      The à la carte menu at Cleopatra Mountain Farmhouse changes every evening according to the season and availability of local produce. Dishes are prepared by award-winning chefs who make every effort to leave a memorable taste impression.

      Dinner is an impressive 7-course affair served in the dining room with mesmerising views of the Highmoor Dam and Drakensberg Mountain range. Pair your meal with a premier South African wine selected from the well-stocked underground wine cellar.

      Breakfast at Cleopatra Mountain Farmhouse is anything but mundane; expect three innovative and exciting courses, while lunch can be arranged on request, and usually takes the form of a packed picnic basket.

      Expert Opinion

      We know because we go
      Bonita Cronje

      Bonita Cronje

      Africa Safari Expert

      Offering one of the most beautiful settings imaginable, a culinary experience that will tantalise your taste buds as well as a variety of activities; this property ticks off all the boxes for the perfect Drakensberg retreat.

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      Traveller Reviews

      • CW

        Cleaopatra’s (locally known as The Fat Farm!) was definitely an experience and I would love to take a helicopter flight over the mountains sometime.

        Corrine White
      • BM

        Cleopatra Mountain Farmhouse is also nice with great food and wines.

        Bertrand Meyer
      • DF

        Can you believe that our next door neighbours were staying at Cleopatra’s the same nights as us!!! We only found out three days before we departed and neither of us knew that we were going to SA – it’s a small world.
        The trip was fantastic – everything went to plan.

        Derek Farmer
      • WL

        This was a pleasant drive and we found the Cleopatra Mountain Farmhouse quite easily. We didn’t realize this was a gourmet’s paradise. The food was interesting and very well presented (just far too much) The other guests all seemed to be hoteliers and restaurateurs which made us feel a little inadequate! It seemed a little impersonal as we all sat in couples, tables were all for two and there was little opportunity to get to know other guests. Our suite was getting a bit tired and could do with a facelift but it was comfortable and clean. That all sounds a bit negative but we did have a great time and we enjoyed walks in the mountains including to some fascinating bushman paintings.

        William Legge
      • LB

        It was the success of the trip, we did nothing! so relaxing! the food, the staff and the accomodations were perfect. Thank you, thank you, thank you. I would never have found it. It rained every day but it was fabulous. I sat on the terrace by the lake and listened to the rain and watched the mountains fading in and out of view. The staff were always around when I needed something (another tea or hot chocolate or gin and tonic) and even just for a chat. They gave us an extra room for free for our 2 nights. My son had a great time playing with the dog and canoeing in the rain. He also sat in their office on his laptop reading which they did not seem to mind. We all loved the food and talking with the chef (Jonty not Richard) exchanging ideas and trying out all the wine we brought from Stellenbosch. Jonty even rescued my sunglasses from the bottom of the lake (he dived in after dinner!) Such nice people, so sad to leave.

        Lesley Boddy
      • LB

        It was the success of the trip, we did nothing! so relaxing! the food, the staff and the accomodations were perfect. Thank you, thank you, thank you. I would never have found it. It rained every day but it was fabulous. I sat on the terrace by the lake and listened to the rain and watched the mountains fading in and out of view. The staff were always around when I needed something (another tea or hot chocolate or gin and tonic) and even just for a chat. They gave us an extra room for free for our 2 nights. My son had a great time playing with the dog and canoeing in the rain. He also sat in their office on his laptop reading which they did not seem to mind. We all loved the food and talking with the chef (Jonty not Richard) exchanging ideas and trying out all the wine we brought from Stellenbosch. Jonty even rescued my sunglasses from the bottom of the lake (he dived in after dinner!) Such nice people, so sad to leave.

        Lesley Boddy
      • LB

        It was the success of the trip, we did nothing! so relaxing! the food, the staff and the accomodations were perfect. Thank you, thank you, thank you. I would never have found it. It rained every day but it was fabulous. I sat on the terrace by the lake and listened to the rain and watched the mountains fading in and out of view. The staff were always around when I needed something (another tea or hot chocolate or gin and tonic) and even just for a chat. They gave us an extra room for free for our 2 nights. My son had a great time playing with the dog and canoeing in the rain. He also sat in their office on his laptop reading which they did not seem to mind. We all loved the food and talking with the chef (Jonty not Richard) exchanging ideas and trying out all the wine we brought from Stellenbosch. Jonty even rescued my sunglasses from the bottom of the lake (he dived in after dinner!) Such nice people, so sad to leave.

        Lesley Boddy
      • LB

        It was the success of the trip, we did nothing! so relaxing! the food, the staff and the accomodations were perfect. Thank you, thank you, thank you. I would never have found it. It rained every day but it was fabulous. I sat on the terrace by the lake and listened to the rain and watched the mountains fading in and out of view. The staff were always around when I needed something (another tea or hot chocolate or gin and tonic) and even just for a chat. They gave us an extra room for free for our 2 nights. My son had a great time playing with the dog and canoeing in the rain. He also sat in their office on his laptop reading which they did not seem to mind. We all loved the food and talking with the chef (Jonty not Richard) exchanging ideas and trying out all the wine we brought from Stellenbosch. Jonty even rescued my sunglasses from the bottom of the lake (he dived in after dinner!) Such nice people, so sad to leave.

        Lesley Boddy
      • LB

        It was the success of the trip, we did nothing! so relaxing! the food, the staff and the accomodations were perfect. Thank you, thank you, thank you. I would never have found it. It rained every day but it was fabulous. I sat on the terrace by the lake and listened to the rain and watched the mountains fading in and out of view. The staff were always around when I needed something (another tea or hot chocolate or gin and tonic) and even just for a chat. They gave us an extra room for free for our 2 nights. My son had a great time playing with the dog and canoeing in the rain. He also sat in their office on his laptop reading which they did not seem to mind. We all loved the food and talking with the chef (Jonty not Richard) exchanging ideas and trying out all the wine we brought from Stellenbosch. Jonty even rescued my sunglasses from the bottom of the lake (he dived in after dinner!) Such nice people, so sad to leave.

        Lesley Boddy
      • PA

        At Cleopatra, we enjoyed its quaintness, including the friendly resident dogs, the games in the parlor, and, of course, the food. Two nights of that delicious, but extremely rich, food was just right. I also might suggest letting guests know that dinner is two plus hours, so that dining with another couple is nice for conversation to fill the time between courses. The scenery in that area is so stunning; and we enjoyed hiking in Great Castle Park and Highmoor Park.

        Peter Arnold
      • PA

        At Cleopatra, we enjoyed its quaintness, including the friendly resident dogs, the games in the parlor, and, of course, the food. Two nights of that delicious, but extremely rich, food was just right. I also might suggest letting guests know that dinner is two plus hours, so that dining with another couple is nice for conversation to fill the time between courses. The scenery in that area is so stunning; and we enjoyed hiking in Great Castle Park and Highmoor Park.

        Peter Arnold
      • PA

        At Cleopatra, we enjoyed its quaintness, including the friendly resident dogs, the games in the parlor, and, of course, the food. Two nights of that delicious, but extremely rich, food was just right. I also might suggest letting guests know that dinner is two plus hours, so that dining with another couple is nice for conversation to fill the time between courses. The scenery in that area is so stunning; and we enjoyed hiking in Great Castle Park and Highmoor Park.

        Peter Arnold
      • PA

        At Cleopatra, we enjoyed its quaintness, including the friendly resident dogs, the games in the parlor, and, of course, the food. Two nights of that delicious, but extremely rich, food was just right. I also might suggest letting guests know that dinner is two plus hours, so that dining with another couple is nice for conversation to fill the time between courses. The scenery in that area is so stunning; and we enjoyed hiking in Great Castle Park and Highmoor Park.

        Peter Arnold
      • PA

        At Cleopatra, we enjoyed its quaintness, including the friendly resident dogs, the games in the parlor, and, of course, the food. Two nights of that delicious, but extremely rich, food was just right. I also might suggest letting guests know that dinner is two plus hours, so that dining with another couple is nice for conversation to fill the time between courses. The scenery in that area is so stunning; and we enjoyed hiking in Great Castle Park and Highmoor Park.

        Peter Arnold
      • LC

        Cleopatra Mountain Farmhouse is set in a beautiful location and has the most amazing food – eating out in London will never be the same again! They also had the most gorgeous alsatian who went on walks with us and who I fell in love with!

        Lillian Choy
      • LC

        Cleopatra Mountain Farmhouse is set in a beautiful location and has the most amazing food – eating out in London will never be the same again! They also had the most gorgeous alsatian who went on walks with us and who I fell in love with!

        Lillian Choy
      • LC

        Cleopatra Mountain Farmhouse is set in a beautiful location and has the most amazing food – eating out in London will never be the same again! They also had the most gorgeous alsatian who went on walks with us and who I fell in love with!

        Lillian Choy
      • LC

        Cleopatra Mountain Farmhouse is set in a beautiful location and has the most amazing food – eating out in London will never be the same again! They also had the most gorgeous alsatian who went on walks with us and who I fell in love with!

        Lillian Choy
      • LC

        Cleopatra Mountain Farmhouse is set in a beautiful location and has the most amazing food – eating out in London will never be the same again! They also had the most gorgeous alsatian who went on walks with us and who I fell in love with!

        Lillian Choy
      • ML

        It was heavenly and after all that food I must now diet. I wish we had stayed longer.

        Michel Lajoie
      • ML

        It was heavenly and after all that food I must now diet. I wish we had stayed longer.

        Michel Lajoie
      • ML

        It was heavenly and after all that food I must now diet. I wish we had stayed longer.

        Michel Lajoie
      • ML

        It was heavenly and after all that food I must now diet. I wish we had stayed longer.

        Michel Lajoie
      • ML

        It was heavenly and after all that food I must now diet. I wish we had stayed longer.

        Michel Lajoie
      • NE

        Loved it! The food was great and the people were wonderfully friendly. The rooms were rustic enough to scare me a little – no central heat on a COLD night – but we ended up loving the rustic charm. Such a beautiful setting.

        Nina English
      • NE

        Loved it! The food was great and the people were wonderfully friendly. The rooms were rustic enough to scare me a little – no central heat on a COLD night – but we ended up loving the rustic charm. Such a beautiful setting.

        Nina English
      • NE

        Loved it! The food was great and the people were wonderfully friendly. The rooms were rustic enough to scare me a little – no central heat on a COLD night – but we ended up loving the rustic charm. Such a beautiful setting.

        Nina English
      • NE

        Loved it! The food was great and the people were wonderfully friendly. The rooms were rustic enough to scare me a little – no central heat on a COLD night – but we ended up loving the rustic charm. Such a beautiful setting.

        Nina English
      • NE

        Loved it! The food was great and the people were wonderfully friendly. The rooms were rustic enough to scare me a little – no central heat on a COLD night – but we ended up loving the rustic charm. Such a beautiful setting.

        Nina English