Private Dining at Ashford Castle

Led by General Manager Rory du Plessis, with years of experience in the bush, Bushmans Kloof is proud to be a part of the family-owned and run Red Carnation Hotel Collection and we are a family of passionate individuals, deeply committed to giving the very best in everything we do. Staffed by loyal, long-serving locals who are proud to share their heritage with our guests, our warm, inclusive ethos embraces every facet of our services, creating a truly unique Cederberg experience. 

Just three hours’ drive from Cape Town, we offer a remarkable gateway to an extraordinary world. Nestled in the remote Cederberg Mountains, this otherworldly landscape covers 7,000 hectares of jagged peaks, deep valleys, mystical sandstone formations and some of the world’s most priceless Bushman rock art. To experience it with us is to explore in true style: we are a member of Beyond Green.

We are honoured to be the custodians of a South African National Heritage Site, with over 130 beautifully-preserved examples of ancient rock art, many dating back 10,000 years. Guests can discover these rare sites with our resident archaeologist, and delve into the rich spiritual culture of the Bushmen, who roamed this area for millennia. Our Heritage Centre showcases the important Rudner collection, providing crucial insight to their way of life.

Our warm and generous service is renowned, and our staff are empowered to make a real difference to every guest’s stay. From discovering fragrant flowers picked from the reserve in your room, and handmade soap infused with rooibos grown in the area, to finding a turndown note on African folklore to read while enjoying a homemade treat from the executive chef – our considerate, caring approach surpasses expectations.

Bushmans Kloof is the home of authentic Cape cuisine. Our organic garden provides the kitchens with fresh, robust produce, while indigenous fynbos add a distinctly 'Cape' dimension to a fusion of innovative and traditional fare. From the incredible breakfast served in the cosy Homestead, to showstopper, star-lit dinners in the natural splendour of Embers, sculpted into a rock amphitheatre, our Executive Chef Charles Hayward concocts unforgettable dining experiences. Sourced from the organic gardens, guests can indulge in refined South African dining, traditional braais (BBQs) and our founder Beatrice Tollman’s delicious signature dishes.

This is a place to step outside and breathe deep, to inhale the freshest air and feel your pulse slow to the rhythm of the bush. The landscape is richly biodiverse and malaria-free, offering everything from hiking and biking through a carpet of wildflowers, to swimming and canoeing on clear rock pools. Wilderness experiences, led by intuitive guides that live and breathe the bush, are gentle and unique, allowing glimpses of rare gemsbok, black wildebeest, Cape zebra and leopards - some of the Cape's most rare species that we pride ourselves on protecting. Sundowners and picnics are ever-popular, served at scenic spots throughout the drive.

The magnificent surroundings inspire each elegantly designed room and suite, showcasing fine South African and local Bushman art from the Tollman family’s private collection. A warm and natural palette perfectly complements the landscape, while the exposed wooden beams and hand-woven fabrics provide a tactile, inspiring environment that always keeps our guests’ comfort in mind. Even the grounds act as a gallery, home to striking life-size eland sculptures by famed artist Donald Greig.

Throw open your doors to the vast skies and awe-inspiring landscapes of the Cederberg in one of two private villas. At Koro Lodge or Cederberg House, soak in the pristine views of nature surrounded by stunning South African design and relax in your own private pool. Explore by day with your private guide, and at night, dine beneath a velvet blanket of stars.

We believe that our natural surroundings are deeply healing and therapy in themselves, with a holistic approach to wellness and a deep connection with our environment. Our Spa is a peaceful sanctuary where one can surrender to the ancient mystical powers of the African landscape, rejuvenate all your senses, replenish your spirit, and achieve deep inner peace and harmony. We are dedicated to restoring beauty and balance through individual treatments and personalised Spa journeys, using Tata Harper and our own B|Africa products that draw on indigenous flora, from baobab tree oil to Cape aloe and rooibos.

We are deeply committed to safeguarding our fragile ecosystems, implementing energy-saving initiatives and phasing out single-use plastics. From assisting conservation efforts such as our annual cedar-tree planting ceremony with the local community to supporting the Cape Leopard Trust and working with Cheetah Outreach to introduce Anatolian sheepdogs to the region, to help protect livestock. We also work closely with Elizabethfontein Primary School, from sponsoring their youth camps to donating resources.