Drakenskloof by Kerala

Layout

The India House, with its 3 bedrooms, is complemented by the Mapacha House, which offers 2 further bedrooms. 
The property is booked on an exclusive basis only, with full service (host, chef, household staff and a guide to the floral kingdom).
The heated pool and a pavilion sit just outside the main area, where a long table is set beside the fireplace, under the pergola, with views over the mountain peaks. The second bedroom’s en-suite cottage opens onto a generous open-plan space, leading through large sliding glass doors onto a wild oasis.

At Drakenskloof, meals are taken family-style and dishes are shared.
The menu draws on the places that have shaped Swahili culture, alongside the bold flavors of India.
You will discover the shared-plate tradition of North Africa and the small bites of Eastern and Southern Europe, all given a South African touch. The philosophy on the plate: simple, generous, healthy food.
Sourced locally, with fruit and vegetables from the kitchen garden, according to season. 
The chef stops by at breakfast to confirm the day’s menu and tailor it to guests’ needs and preferences, down to the youngest members of the family.
All soft drinks, fruit juices, beers and ciders are included, along with a wide selection of spirits, craft cocktails and carefully chosen South African wines to suit every palate and occasion.

If the heated pool is the heart of Drakenskloof, the natural river is its soul. It flows less than 100 meters from the India House’s front door. Diving in will become a daily ritual with the people you love. It’s the best way to start the day, cool off during the afternoon, and the ultimate reward after a run, a bike ride or a hike. 
A discreet wood-fired hot tub extends beyond the original “kraal” wall into the wild mountain surroundings.

As part of an ongoing commitment to conservation, Drakenskloof actively invests in clearing invasive vegetation, which poses a major threat to the delicate and unique Cape Floral Kingdom. All wood cleared this way is used as firewood, while the remaining wood chips are used as groundcover for the property’s gardens and pathways. 
Several camera traps are installed across the property, checked monthly by the Cape Leopard Trust to help better understand and protect the Cape leopard and other animals endemic to the region.

For your children

Activities and games for children: bouncy castle, open-air cinema, farm animal visits, outdoor arts and crafts, biscuit and pizza making, board games, croquet, table tennis, pétanque and Mölkky.

Rooms

India House:
3 luxury suites and a children's room for up to 6 adults and 4 children (sharing).
This classically arranged house features a central courtyard that creates a colourful focal point. The richly decorated lounge and family dining table provide an ideal setting for family gatherings, in summer and winter alike.
Exposed beams and tall sash windows create a generous, airy atmosphere for summer days. In winter, the two central fireplaces enhance the warmth of the wooden floor and the oak and gold finishes of the open-plan kitchen.
The three bedrooms each have a spacious bathroom with indoor and outdoor showers, and a luxurious bathtub with views over the fynbos gardens.
The children's room, located next to the main suite, is ideal for a family of four.

Mapacha House:
2 luxury suites for up to 4 adults and 2 children (sharing).
Inspired by Swahili design and decor, Mapacha House is elegant and comfortable. It comprises two bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms, each offering a unique view of the mountains.
Sliding glass doors open onto a well-appointed veranda, an enclosed garden planted with indigenous fynbos and fragrant herbs, and unforgettable mountain views.

Activities offered

Plenty to satisfy every interest: visits to the Cape Floral Kingdom, massages, a walk through the Bushman’s cave, helicopter excursions, hiking, cycling and trail running, bush walks and birdwatching, the Ceres zipline course, a soap-making workshop, yoga, night-time scorpion hunts, and wine and gin tastings.