Surrounded by the Drakensberg Mountains, overlooking a secluded valley of the Spioenkop Game Reserve and in the lee of the famous hill, Spioenkop, lies Three Trees Lodge.

The Lodge has been built on a hillside amongst the striking Aloe Spectabilis and the Paperbark Acacia with views that inspired a guest to write ‘Africa at its finest!’. It overlooks the Spioenkop Game Reserve, where white rhino, giraffe, zebra, eland, kudu and numerous smaller antelope can be seen, perhaps even from your bath! 270 bird species from Cape Vultures and Lanner Falcons to Buff Streaked Chats and Fairy Flycatchers have been recorded in the area.

The bedrooms are equipped with all the modern conveniences with heated towel rails and 100% cotton percale linen adding to you comfort. These luxuries do not detract from the colonial design, but merely enhance your turn of the century South African colonial life experience. The beds are ¾ twins but doubles are available on request. Each room has its own deck, which offers unimpeded views of the valley and Spionkop. If luck is on your side you might see a rhino or giraffe wandering by. Each of the six twin cottages has its own shower and bath from where one can soak up the atmosphere of Spioenkop whilst gazing out over the valley.

The main living area has an open-plan design, with four sets of large double doors leading onto the verandah. The result is a flowing space, where you can relax on a comfy chair, read in the afternoon sun and enjoy convivial dinners. In the winter an open log fire and “Dover” coal stove create a welcoming environment. The colonial design with its large verandahs, creates an ideal environment in which to wind down and enjoy nature. Meals are often served outside where one can soak up the views while enjoying the exquisite local cuisine – a fusion of home and modern flavours. A viewing deck and swimming pool offer complete relaxation in a truly African setting. The pool is situated in a secluded area under a large Acacia tree, very near to the rooms and the main lodge.

Activities:

Battlefield Tours: Our flagship tour is a full day out, beginning with the Battle of Spioenkop, then lunch back at the Lodge, followed by the Battle of Colenso, plus Churchill’s Capture at Chieveley. This is a full day tour, but can be done as two half day tours.

Battle of Spioenkop: Breakfast is at 07:45 and the tour departs at 08:30 to the battlefield where this compelling story is told. The tour tells of the bloodiest day of the war, fought on Spionkop. This is arguably the most famous of all battles between the British and the Boers. The tour returns to the Lodge for lunch, approximately four hours later.

Battle of Colenso and Churchill's Capture: After lunch, (approx. 14:15 - 14:30), the tour departs for the site of Winston Churchill’s Capture, where the Boer forces took him prisoner. This event propelled him onto the political stage in Britain. The tour then proceeds to the site of the Battle of Colenso, where General Sir Redvers Buller suffered his first defeat in his attempt to relieve Ladysmith. In this battle 7 Victoria Crosses were won.

Three Trees offers great access to The uKhahlamba National Park (formerly the Royal Natal National Park), Cathedral Peak (with the new Didma Rock Art Interpretation Centre - www.kznwildlife.com/didima) and the Champagne Valley (Drakensberg Boys Choir - www.dbcs.kzn.school.za) are all within an hours drive of Three Trees. So whether it’s hiking, walking, climbing, riding, rock art, trout fishing, spectacular scenery or helicopter flips you are after, it’s all on our doorstep.

Our position overlooking the Spioenkop Game Reserve affords great game viewing opportunities, whether it is from your room, on horseback or whilst out walking on our property. Rhino and giraffe and many varieties of antelope may be spotted grazing near the Lodge on the other side of the fence. Stocked with rhino, giraffe, zebra, eland and numerous other antelope; home to more than 270 bird species and with spectacular views of the Drakensberg over Spionkop Dam, Spioenkop Game Reserve is worth a visit.

There are numerous opportunities for horse riding at and around Three Trees. We offer rides on the property providing wonderful views of the Spioenkop Battlefield, the Game Reserve and the Drakensberg Mountains. They provide a wonderful opportunity to experience the spectacular countryside up close whether to view the flora and fauna, to gain insights into the difficulties of fighting a war with Victorian impedimenta on this terrain, or to view seldom visited parts of the Battlefield (for example the Boer trenches on nTabanyama).

There are numerous walks available from the Lodge. So if its nature, history, enjoying the fauna & flora or purely exercise the choice is yours.

There are a number of golf courses in the Drakensberg, all within an hour’s drive of the Lodge. Notably the Champagne Sports Resort Golf Course, which is rated in the Top 20 courses in the country.

Guests are encouraged to make a trip into Ladysmith to visit the impressive Siege Museum and Anglican Church (an evocative memorial to all the British soldiers who died in Natal before and during the Siege). The battle of Wagon Hill (Platrand to the Boers) was the one concerted attempt by the Boers to take Ladysmith during the 4 month long siege. The Burgher Memorial (to the 781 Boers who lost their lives in Natal) is both moving and impressive (for some overbearing) and there is a wonderful view over the town of Ladysmith.

Tours of the Anglo-Zulu War are conducted by our sister lodge Fugitive's Drift, which is located between Isandlwana and Rorke’s Drift.

A wonderful trip from the Lodge is to visit the old Voortrekker Pass, where in 1837 the Voortrekkers under Piet Retief and Gerhard Maritz crossed the Drakensberg Mountains. You can still see and read the graffiti at Kerkenberg where on Piet Retief’s 57th birthday his daughter painted his name. The old pass is still clearly visible and at the top of the pass is the statue of the ‘Barefoot Woman’. The views of the KwaZulu Natal Drakensberg are breathtaking! You are now in the eastern Free State and not far from the Golden Gate National Park and the quaint town of Clarens.

Directions
From Durban or Johannesburg take the R616 (exit 230) off the N3 towards Bergville From Free State take the R74 (Oliviershoek Pass) to Bergville After 19km turn left onto the D564 (Rangeworthy Cemetry) After 8km on this gravel road you will reach Three Trees This is a good gravel road and 4x4 vehicles are not necessary Do not take any of the roads marked Spioenkop or Spioenkop Nature Reserve From the Free State take the R74 (Oliviershoek Pass) to Bergville Immdeiately before Bergville turn left onto R616 to Ladysmith After 12km turn right onto the D564 (Rangeworthy Cemetry) After 8km on this gravel road you will reach Three Trees NOTE: this is a good gravel road and 4x4 vehicles are not necessary Do not take any of the roads marked Spioenkop or Spioenkop Nature Reserve.