South Africa’s tiny province of Mpumalanga is best known for Kruger National Park – the country’s flagship reserve, which is a must on any tourist itinerary – but it’s also home to some of the country’s most beautiful countryside. These rolling hills, green valleys, forest plantations, and groves of avocado, citrus, mango and papaya trees look totally different from the khaki palette of the Lowveld bush, but often they’re overlooked by travellers on their way to Kruger. Make space in your travel plans to spend a few days exploring Mpumalanga’s pastoral beauty and stay at one of the lovely country hotels that dot the province.

A great choice is Highgrove House, near the town of Hazyview. Set on a 64-hectare avocado and macadamia farm, this country manor evokes elegance from a bygone era. Spread out in the lush subtropical gardens of towering trees and exotic flowers are the spacious suites, which are decorated in a cozy English country-cottage style with antiques and floral prints. They also feature open-plan lounge areas, fireplaces and views out over the garden or the misty valley. Worth the splurge are the two luxury orchard suites, with their own private saunas and outdoor plunge pools.

Highgrove House makes the most of its farm setting; they offer tours where you can pick your own nuts, and they use the fresh produce of macadamias, avocados, honey and organic veggies in the spa treatments, cocktail snacks (think herb-flavored macadamia nibbles), and in the restaurant. Buffet breakfasts are served on the sunny outdoor terrace – bubbly, fruit, homemade jams and freshly baked pastries drizzled with farm honey – but the dinners are the real treat. The five-course meals that are served each evening in the formal dining room along with a good selection of wines are superb, and the farm’s nuts are a welcome ingredient in dishes such as butternut and macadamia soup and macadamia-chocolate brownies.

For food, setting and classic sense of style, it’s hard to beat Highgrove House as a relaxing and luxurious country retreat.