Highgrove House

Highgrove House is an immaculate family-run guest house set in the heart of Mpumalanga, on a working farm, amidst orchards of avocado, banana, litchi and olive trees. The original colonial farmstead was constructed around the turn of the last century and was completely renovated by the current owners to become a guest house. The renovations have retained the character of the era while providing modern comforts, privacy and personal service.

There are only eight detached suites at Highgrove dotted throughout the garden. Each is comprised of a sitting room, bedroom and en suite bathroom and is individually and tastefully decorated in a colonial theme. The sitting room features a working fireplace, comfortable armchairs, and a constantly replenished supply fresh fruit and flowers. A secluded veranda offers views of the forest or valley and avocado orchards. In addition, the two Orchard Suites boast their own private gardens, swimming pool and sauna. Guests can thoroughly unwind in the suites at Highgrove - luxuriating under crisp cotton sheets and goose down duvets and enjoying a relaxing soak in the capacious bathtub, perhaps with a glass of sherry.

The cuisine at Highgrove is rated amongst the best in South Africa, and is presented elegantly on bone china with fine silver cutlery. Enjoy such delicacies as sherried parsnip soup to start, followed by an intermezzo of mixed fruits, then prepare yourself for roast rump of beef served rare on candied baby onions accompanied with a beetroot chutney and thyme scented jus. Finish with an extraordinary almond, lemon and polenta tart. All courses can be accompanied by wines selected from Highgrove's exceptional cellar. Afterwards, enjoy a vintage port and coffee on the veranda or in the cozy living room of the main house, before retiring to your suite. Breakfast is similarly spectacular and is served alfresco in the Victorian gazebo.

Activities at Highgrove are varied, including: spending leisurely days relaxing in the sub-tropical gardens around the swimming pool, bird watching or hiking in the forest, visiting local artist's workshops, driving the famous "Panorama Route" and making day trips into Kruger National Park. A chauffeur can be arranged, as can "made to order" helicopter tours.

We think that Highgrove is the ideal base from which to explore the "Panorama Route", and partake in the myriad activities that Mpumalanga has to offer. It is a delightful guest house, professionally run by a lovely family who pay attention to every detail. It is little surprise that it has been awarded "Best Retreat Hotel in South Africa"; "Best Small Luxury Hotel in South Africa"; and chosen as one of South Africa's top ten restaurants .