Cleopatra Mountain Farmhouse - Cleopatra Mountain Farmhouse

Having been one of the originators of the Country House movement in the 1980's, Richard and Mouse then travelled overseas working and absorbing the "foodie" world with a view to opening Cleopatra Mountain Farmhouse - their intimate gourmet getaway.

In its awesome setting with splendid views of the mountains and running with crystal clear streams and waterfalls, Cleopatra is the ultimate in peace, tranquillity and solitude. It is ideal for its intended purpose as a restful refuge with professional yet understated service and most of all a gourmet experience to remember

All the ingredients are in place for a complete treat:

*	warm snug beds with mohair blankets and crisp, fresh cotton sheets
*	a spectacular view of the mist covered mountains emerging from the early morning sun
*	the aromas of a country kitchen tempting hunger heightened by the brisk mountain air
*	loving meals of hearty soups
*	vegetables, freshly caught trout, local cheeses and homemade breads
*	bundles of fresh herbs and vegetables just picked from the kitchen garden
*	a friendly diningroom filled with the quiet buzz of contented conversations
*	a roaring fire in the lounge, cantilevered over a trout-filled dam

Choose just the right wine from the underground wine cellar and prepare your senses for the tastes and flavours that follow Richard's legendary talks extolling the pleasures and practices of his food preparation

Dinner is a sumptuous 6 course affair with no effort or expense spared to give our guests a memorable dining experience. Our menu changes every evening according to the seasons and the availability of our local produce. Breakfasts are unusual and exciting. To see more about our passion for food,

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.

Richard has always had a love of fine food, and his ample proportions attest to this!

Passion and dedication are the keywords in the Cleopatra kitchen - his speciality is sauces, a subject very close to his heart. He has long been obsessed with reduction techniques - which allow the full intense flavour of the food to shine through.

Fresh ingredients are essential, and being able to pick from the gardens minutes before serving is a real pleasure. For the more exotic tastes, Richard spends hours hunting down local and imported ingredients of the highest quality - flying in fresh salmon from Norway and procuring genuine Parma hams and cheeses from Italy.

Join us at Cleopatra Mountain Farmhouse to savour the many flavours of fine country cooking.

--- iBhansele encane ---

A delicate timbale of tomato and Stilton cheese with sautéed prawns drizzled with a lime and chive sauce

--- Soup ---

Richard's fresh spinach and nutmeg soup scattered with pan-flashed palm hearts

--- Starter ---

Oven roasted noisettes of monkfish encased in Italian Parma ham served with a fresh garden salad and a balsamic reduction sauce

--- Granita ---

Lychee and lemongrass granita

--- Main Course ---

Springbok fillet presented on a fondant potato with onion marmalade accompanied by traditional soetpampoen and a reduced honey and lemon jus

--- Dessert ---

A classic zabaglione with genuine Sicilian Marsala served with delicately poached Cape Gooseberries from our garden

South African Jerepigo and Coffee

Visits to the Highmoor Nature Reserve are a must, being only 5 minutes drive up a spectacular road winding its way to the top of Mount Lebanon and Cleopatra Mountain. Here flat walks can be taken past trout dams with the majestic Giant's Castle in view. Eland, Mountain Reedbuck, Duiker and Baboons are often spotted as well as Bearded Vultures and Black Eagles overhead.
*	Kamberg Nature Reserve is only 15 minutes away and amazing San Rock Art caves have recently been opened to the public with guides available to take you up to the mountain to see them. It is a fairly strenuous walk taking about 1.5 hours to the top. An interpretation centre has a video presentation which gives an insight into the history of the Bushmen.
*	At Giants Castle - a 45 minute drive - you are in the heart of the mighty Drakensberg Mountains. Here you can walk to San Rock Art caves where a guide opens the gate on the hour every hour till 3 o'clock and gives you a comprehensive tour of the paintings. There are also other wonderful walks in the mountains with maps available.
*	Sue Armstrong - a local horse expert and registered tour guide - can take you out for the day to see race horse studs and other interesting features in our area.
*	The Midlands Meander is a famous craft route with many stops offering a wide range of gifts, curios and local produce all well-documented on a large map.
*	Horse Rides along the contours of the mountains taking in the crisp air and amazing views are really a hit with our guests and are essential for those not wanting to use their own legs!
*	There are trips to the top of Sani Pass leaving at 9.30 a.m. & returning at 3.45 p.m. You must take your Passport & lunch is available at the top. It will take about 2 hours to get to Himeville