The American Professor Shelby Foot said, ‘You cannot hope to understand the American people without understanding the Civil War.’ It could be said that you have little chance of understanding modern South Africa and South Africans if have no understanding of the Anglo-Boer War.

Three Tree Hill Lodge specialises in the history of the 2nd Anglo-Boer War from (1899 – 1902) with the Battle of Spioenkop being our focal point. One cannot however hope to understand this watershed event (not just for South Africa – it was ‘the longest, the costliest, the bloodiest and most humiliating war that Britain fought in between 1815 and 1914’) without studying what caused one of the smallest countries in the world to declare war on the worlds greatest empire of the time. Our specialist battlefield guide will bring this dramatic period of our history to life presenting world class, holistic, evocative and insightful tours.

Prices – Please refer to our Rates page for details of tour costs.

Battle of Colenso & Churchill’s Capture

After lunch (at about 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. Tour returns at approximately 18h30.

Battle of Spioenkop (Three Trees Flagship Tour)

Romantically situated on top of a hill with views that redefine ‘big sky country’, the tour tells of the bloodiest day of the war, played out by a cast seldom challenged. On that hill were Louis Botha (the 1st Prime Minister of the Union of South Africa), Winston Churchill (voted the most famous Briton of the 20th century) and Mohandas Ghandi (the future Mahatma). The result of this battle confirmed that those early disasters of ‘Black Week’ were not merely beginners luck on behalf of the Boers – Spioenkop is arguably the most famous of all battles between the British and the Boers.

This half-day tour starts from the Lodge at 08:30, after an early breakfast (07:45). We head off in the bus playing our CD – The Pre-amble to the Boer War, which takes us from the Boer invasion of Natal into the Battle of Spioenkop. You will spend two hours exploring the summit, listening to the compelling tale that unfolds on this emotive hill. After refreshments you return to the Lodge in time for lunch, listening to the cd – The Aftermath.

Spioenkop or Spion Kop?

The name Spion Kop (Spy or Lookout Hill) was given to this impressive hill by the Voortrekkers in 1837. This was the original Dutch spelling and is still the English version. Spioenkop is the modern Afrikaans spelling. So, as you wish.

‘The Kop’ at Anfield?

The Lancashire Brigade comprised the majority of the force on Spioenkop, hence the ‘Kop End’ at the home of Liverpool Football Club, Anfield. Indeed had you visited any football ground between Leeds and Liverpool 100 years ago the home supporters’ end would have been a mound of earth and rubble from which the locals watched their team. It reminded them of the stories of ‘Spion Kop’ in the Boer War and over the years ‘Spion Kop’ became ‘The Kop’. As these mounds became grand stands some of them kept their names, the most famous being Anfield.

Talana, Dundee, Elandslaagte, Wagon Hill, Ladysmith, Vaalkrans

Tours can be organised to any of these battlefields listed by prior arrangement only.

Anglo-Zulu War Tours: Isandlwana and Rorke’s Drift

Tours of the Anglo-Zulu War are conducted by our sister lodge Fugitive’s Drift, which is located between Isandlwana and Rorke’s Drift. These tours are conducted daily by Fugitive’s Drift, which is situated approximately 2,5 hours drive from Three Trees near the town of Dundee. Prior arrangement will need to be made for these tours.

Hiking In The Drakensberg

Three Trees offers great access to The uKhahlamba National Park (formerly the Royal Natal National Park), Cathedral Peak and the Champagne Valley, which are all within an hours drive of the lodge. Maps & guide books can be arranged at the lodge with picnic lunches for hikes ranging from short half hour walks to full day hikes. Guided hikes can be arranged with your resident qualified guides.

Guided Walks

The lodge is situated on 1,200ha of naturally rolling Drakensberg foothills. Both Simon & Cheryl are FGASA qualified Field Guides and have a wealth of knowledge on the Natural Fauna & Flora in the area. Joined by the dogs, and walking alongside the game reserve, a walk out in the hills is not to be missed. Well-marked trails are also available if you want to meander along in your own steam.

San Rock Art

The Ukhahlamba Park is one of the most densely painted regions in Africa, if not the entire world, containing some 550 known San rock painting sites, amounting to over 40 000 recorded individual images. Didima Rock Art Centre is situated in the Cathedral Peak Nature Reserve and can be visited for an informative look into the San people’s lives. A registered guide can also be arranged to take you up into the mountains to view original rock art.

Horse Riding

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).

Pony rides can also be arranged for children on request.

Mountain Biking

Three Trees offers a range of different mountain biking trails on the property, either with your own bikes or use of the bikes at the lodge. In close proximity are some more technical trails in the Drakensberg , which can be done with a guide on request. The famous 130km “Berg & Bush” mountain bike trail runs through the property in November each year.

Spioenkop Game Reserve

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.

Managed by Ezimvelo Wildlife the park is well worth a visit. It is easily accessible by car and takes an hour to get to the entrance.

Birding

A bird list of 300 species has been recorded in the area, with Cape Vultures, Lanner Falcons, Buff Streaked Chats & Fairy Flycatchers all residing here. In the winter months (when the aloes are flowering) most mountain-dwelling birds descend to the foothills to take advantage of the sweet nectar & insects that adorn these spectacular plants. The Malachite sunbird is a stunning example of this. In the summer months, Northern migrants arrive to fill the air with calls & twittering that will keep any “twitcher” on his toes.

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.

The Old Voortrekker Pass

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.

Golf

Cathedral Peak’s challenging 9 hole golf course, set against the magnifiscent backdrop of the Drakensberg has been termed the “thinking golfers” course. Champagne Sports Resort Golf Course boasts 18 holes designed by Hugh Baiocchi set on perfectly manicured grounds and equally spectacular scenery. Monks Cowl Country Club course is 9 holes, with 18 tees. It is generally level and the 5th hole, which crosses the deep gorge at Hattingspruit, is accessed by a swing bridge. All the above courses can be accessed within an hours drive from the lodge.

Retail Therapy

The Champagne Valley offers some of the Drakensberg’s finest crafts, starting with Kwazulu Weavers & Candles, where 100% wool rugs are woven right at the centre. Thokozisa Lifestyle Centre offers a wide range of Zulu curios, San Art, Nguni cow hide products & much more. Further up the valley is Ardmore Ceramic studio which houses the most flamboyant African ceramics that has captured the attention of collectors world-wide & made renown by auctions at Christies in London. Here you can experience & interact with the artists themselves and marvel at these bright, intricately designed works of art!

Drakensberg Boys Choir

The Drakensberg Boys’ Choir is representative of the multi-faceted cultures that make up this wonderful country. They have created a new trend in the international choral scene that transcends the conventional, A unique style of diversity – Bach, Beethoven, Freddy Mercury, African, Jazz, Folk, etc. – whatever the style, they perform it with excellence and aplomb. Concerts are generally held on Wednesday afternoons during school term, so pre-booking is essential.

Hot Air Ballooning

An early morning start to view the world from above in silence as your balloon travels through the sky. Breath taking scenery in this part of the world make for an unforgettable experience. Prior arrangements must be made for these trips.

Relaxation

Simply relax around the pool, on the deck or on the verandah at the Lodge enjoying the space and tranquility.