Exclusive-use Mountain Sanctuary Nestled in the Cape Floral Kingdom
Escape to your own mountain sanctuary with five suites across two houses, indigenous gardens, hiking trails and a perennial river. Accommodating up to ten adults and four children, served by a host, chef, house staff and a Floral Kingdom Guide. Just 1hr 30min from Cape Town on the Bainskloof Pass.
🔥 We are navigating a process of rejuvenation after a devastating veld fire. Click here for more.
Your Stay
The best way to tell you about Drakenskloof is to prepare you for what you might experience.
Like opening your eyes to the Malachite sunbirds playing outside the window. Or the Verreaux’s eagle searching for tasty treats that have mistimed their morning adventures.
Or your morning adventures, on a trail you share with the wild. A trail so seamlessly woven into the mountains that following it feels like answering the call of a higher power.
Perhaps you choose an invigorating finish to that morning pursuit, in the river alongside India House; a river that knows what you need to remember, and what you need to forget. Remember to get in. You won’t soon forget it.
Then there’s breakfast, lunch, and dinner. And the many surprise locations for these remarkable feasts, lovingly and discreetly prepared by an ever attentive staff - your Drakenskloof family.
Your days will invariably be spent between here and there, influenced by the ever-changing conditions and your appetite for activity. It might include sundowners or stargazing or the heated pool that is likely to become the centre of your stay. Ultimately though, nothing here exists in isolation.
Because Drakenskloof is about connection. With inside and outside. With yourself. With each other.
We’ve learnt to take a back seat. We’ve also learnt that to give you the best of her, we need to adapt to your family’s needs. While the comforts, service and thoughtful attention to detail are a given, you will discover your own wonders here. And we’ll help you find everything you’re looking for.
A classically laid out home with a centralised courtyard creates a colourful focus point. The richly decorated living room and family sized dining table provides the perfect setting for gatherings in both summer and winter.
Exposed beams and tall sash windows create a generous, airy feel for summer days. In winter the two central fireplaces accentuate the warmth of the timber floor and oak and gold finishes in the open-plan kitchen.
All three en-suite bedrooms have generously sized bathrooms with indoor and outdoor showers, and a luxurious bath with views of the fynbos gardens. The children's room, off the Master Suite, is ideal for a family of four. Whilst there is luxury in the furniture, texture and flow, no area is too precious for young children and dogs.
Inspired by Swahili design and decor, Mapacha House is elegant yet comfortable with two en-suite bedrooms, with private light-filled bathrooms each with a unique mountain vista.
Glass sliding doors open out onto a well appointed veranda, a walled garden planted with indigenous fynbos and fragrant herbs, and unforgettable mountain views.
An unobtrusive wood-fired hot tub extends beyond the original "kraal" wall into untamed mountain wilderness.
Experiences for the Whole Family
Signature Experiences
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Cape Floral Kingdom Tour
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Draken Massage Treatments*
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Bushman Cave Walk
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Helicopter Trips*+
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Silent Disco
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Marimba Band*
Nature Experiences
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Walks, Hikes, Cycling and Trail Runs
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River Pool and Garden
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Bush Drive and Bird Watching
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Zip Lining in Ceres*+
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Soap Making Workshop
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Heated Swimming Pool
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Wood Fired Hot Tub
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Private Mountain Yoga*
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Night-Time Scorpion Hunt
Dining Experiences
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Bush Breakfasts
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Bush Drinks
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Monks Gin Tasting*+
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Bosjes High Tea*+
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Wine Tasting
Children's Activities and Games
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Jumping Castle
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Outdoor Cinema
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Farm Animal Visits
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Outdoor Arts and Crafts
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Biscuit Baking and Pizza Making
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Boardgames
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Croquet , Table Tennis, Boules and Mölkky
* At additional cost ; + Off-reserve experiences
Dining at Drakenskloof is ‘family-style’ where meals and dishes are shared altogether. We try to source our ingredients as locally as possible, and harvest some of our own fruit and vegetables, adapting our dishes seasonally.
The menu is inspired by the places that once influenced Swahili culture, along with the bold flavours of India. You will discover the sharing of meals prominent in North Africa and the small bites of Eastern and Southern Europe, all with a South African twist. Seen in its entirety, our food shows a strong Ottolenghi influence, tied to the philosophies of simple, plenty and wholesome.
Our chef will check in at breakfast to confirm the menu for the day but we will do our best to meet your needs should your requirements change. We cater specifically for children of all ages.
All soft drinks, fruit juices, beers and ciders are provided as well as a wide selection of spirits, handcrafted cocktails and carefully curated South African wines are listed for all palates and occasions.
Our Promise to Mother Nature
As part of our ongoing commitment to conservation, we actively invest in the removal of alien vegetation, which poses a great threat to the delicate and unique Cape Floral Kingdom. All timber from this alien removal is used as firewood, with the remaining wood chips being used as ground cover for our beautiful gardens and pathways.
We have multiple camera traps throughout the property, monitored monthly by the Cape Leopard Trust to better understand and protect the Cape Leopard and other animals endemic to the region.
All guest fees include a small contribution to the Drakenskloof Conservation Fund, helping us continue our conservation efforts in this important region.
