KwaZulu-Natal Battlefields (SURE Travel)

Pre-booking essential:  Battle of Spioenkop – Three Trees Flagship Tour – half-day (4hours)

This tour tells of the bloodiest single day of the entire South African War. During January, General Sir Redvers Buller was joined by Lt General Sir Charles Warren, but their renewed attempts to breach the Boer defence line along the Thukela River were unsuccessful. Spioenkop was the highest point on the Boer defensive line and on 23 January 1900, a British attempt to capture it began. Astonishingly, Louis Botha, Winston Churchill and Mohandas Ghandi all played a role in this battle. The result of this battle confirmed that those early disasters of ‘Black Week’ were not merely beginners luck on the part of the Boers. Spioenkop, together with Majuba, are arguably the best known of all the battles between the British and the Boers. (ITT)

Story-telling in the grass Credit: Graham de Lacy World-class story-tellers enthrall guests with stories of the Anglo Boer War

Spioenkop Battlesite Credit: Simon Blackburn Spectacular views from the summit of Spioenkop Battlefield.

Voortrekker Sites Credit: Simon Blackburn Voortekker sites can be visited on the escarpment, a short drive from the lodge.

Memorials Credit: Simon Blackburn Memorials on the summit of the Spioenkop

Battlefield Tour pre-talk Credit: Cheryl Blackburn Battlefield tours begin with an introduction to the history of South Africa

battlefield Trensches Credit: Simon Blackburn Trenches piled with stones cover the remnants of the soldiers that fought on the battle of Spioenkop in 1900.

Graves on the battlefield Credit: Simon Blackburn Battlefield tours on the summit of Spioenkop provide guests with a detailed account of the events that unfolded in January 1900.

Boer Memorial on Spioenkop Credit: Simon Blackburn Memorials on the summit of Spioenkop

Spioenkop Memorials Credit: Simon Blackburn Flagship Battlefield tour is Spioenkop

Battlefield Trenches Credit: Simon Blackburn Trenches of the British soldiers lay scattered on the summit of Spioenkop

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 hour's 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 owners 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. (ITT)

Royal Natal national Park - Tugela Gorge hike Credit: Cheryl Blackburn One of the most popular day hikes in the Drakensberg.

Bird Watching Credit: Graham de Lacy Self-guided trails are available for guest to enjoy nature and birds at their own pace.

Game Walks Credit: Simon Blackburn Guided walks in the neighbouring reserve

Game Walks Credit: Cheryl Blackburn Walking in the Spioenkop reserve

Game Walks Credit: Cheryl Blackburn Spotting game in the neighbouring reserve

Drakensberg Hiking Credit: Cheryl Blackburn Hiking in the Royal Natal Park

Amphitheatre Credit: Cheryl Blackburn The amphitheatre is a spectacular feature in the Drakensberg

Drakensberg Hiking Credit: Cheryl Blackburn

There are numerous opportunities for horse riding at and around Three Trees. Guests can ride on the property providing wonderful views of the Spioenkop Battlefield, the Game Reserve and the Drakensberg Mountains. These rides 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. (ITT)

Horse Trail riding Credit: Graham de Lacy Riding on the cattle farm with great views of the Drakensberg

Horse riding in the hills Credit: Cheryl Blackburn Spectacular scenery during the horse rides

Horses at sunset Credit: Jos Blackburn Moody image of the horses at sunset

Riding at sunset Credit: Simon Blackburn Group or private trail rides can be arranged

Horse trail ride Credit: Cheryl Blackburn All ages are accepted for the rides.

Horse Trail Rides Credit: Cheryl Blackburn Head into the hills for a hors ride

Spioenkop Game Reserve
The lodge position overlooking the Spioenkop Game Reserve affords great game viewing opportunities, whether it is from your room, on horseback or whilst out walking on the 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. (ITT)

Game spotting Credit: Simon Blackburn Spotting game from the marked trails

Raptor Centre Show Credit: Simon Blackburn Daily at 10h30 (except Mondays & Fridays) Falcon Ridge hosts an authentic show of these magnificent birds of prey.

Winter Birding Credit: Clive Dreyer Winter birding is so rewarding since the aloes are in flower, providing pollen ,nectar & insect-feeding birds an opportunity to feast.

Familiar Chat with breakfast Credit: Clive Dreyer Early rains bring many insects for birds to feast

Robin at breakfast Credit: Simon Blackburn Dining al fresco has its advantages to birders.

Titbabbler Credit: Clive Dreyer Winter flowering aloes attract a myriad of birds

Widow Bird Credit: Clive Dreyer Bird watching on the farm

Sunbirds Credit: Shelley Barron Sunbirds nesting with chicks

Rhino viewing Credit: Cheryl Blackburn Game walks in the reserve

Winter game viewing Credit: Simon Blackburn Game viewing in the winter months is fantastic since the grass

Bird watching Credit: Graham de Lacy Spotting birds on the self-guided walks on the farm

Mountain bikes available for guests to use at an additional cost. Road riding & technical guided trails available on request. (ITT)

Mountain Biking Credit: Shelley Barron Hilly terrain makes for exhilirating mountain biking

Mountain Bikes Credit: Cheryl Blackburn Mountain bikes are available for guests to hire with helmets, gloves & water bottles.

Mountain Biking views Credit: Simon Blackburn Mountain biking with views

Mountain Biking for all ages Credit: Shelley Barron A variety of mountain bikes are available for hire.

Mountain Biking Credit: Cheryl Blackburn Mountain Biking in the hills

Mountain biking Credit: Simon Blackburn Single track trails provide great excitement

A truly authentic experience with one of the Three Trees staff members that takes you to the nearby village (8km down the road) for a look into the lives of the Hambrook residents.

Tailor-made to suit the guests interest or just an introduction to the Zulu culture. Can be done by bicycle for a half day outing or by vehicle for a shorter experience.

Credit: Life of Betts A visit to the village down the road provides insight to the lives of the Zulu people that live there.

Traditional Zulu Beehive HUt Credit: Life of Betts Visiting the neighbouring village guests can meet very interesting people

Village Tour Credit: Cheryl Blackburn Visiting the local village school

Children in the village Credit: Cheryl Blackburn Visiting the village can bring as much interest to the visitors as the other way around

Village school Credit: Shelley Barron Bringing items for donating to the schools are welcomed

Zulu architecture Credit: Shelley Barron Construction methods in the vilage include mud, dung & wattle construction.

Village window Credit: Shelley Barron Original mud & dung buildings built by Zulu village people.

The Battle of Isandlwana, 22nd January 1879.  British defeat or Zulu victory?

Breakfast at 06:50.  Depart at 7:30 for Isandlwana listening to a tape narrated by David Rattray playing in the vehicle explaining the background to the Anglo-Zulu War.  There is a stop at 9:00 for a comfort break and to view the museum at Isandlwana. The lecture on the battlefield begins at 9:45 until around 11:45, when refreshments are served.  The lecture takes place half way up the hill. 

Another tape, this time describing the story of the survivors and events after the battle of Isandlwana is played en route back to the Lodge or Guest House, returning for lunch at 13:00.  (ITT)

The battle of Rorke’s Drift, 22nd January 1879. An account of this epic defence against impossible odds – an action in which 11 V.C.’s were won.

Departs at 15:00 (winter) or 15:15 (summer).  Guests have time to look through the museum at Rorke’s Drift before the lecture begins at 16:00.  There is very little walking involved.  The lecture concludes around 18:00 and guests are then given the opportunity to look around the memorials and graveyard before returning to the Lodge and Guest House.  (ITT)

The property is home to various plains game such as Wildebeest, Blesbok, Impala, Nyala, Zebra, Kudu, Giraffe and many more.  Horse riding on the property is a great chance to view the game up close and to really appreciate the fauna and flora.  They also offer horse riding trips to Masondo, the crack in the Buffalo River where the Zulus crossed the river on their way to Rorke’s Drift.  (ITT) 

Fugitives’ Drift is renowned for delivering awe-inspiring battlefield tours that bring the battles of Rorke’s Drift and Isandlwana to life.  This experience gives a deep and tangible insight into some of the most moving of South Africa’s battlefields. Fugitives’ Drift is expanding on these experiences with the addition of dedicated tours for children under 12 years of age.  While their world-renowned tours set off with the parents, shorter, more interactive tours on the property, led by a guide, will engage and inspire their children with stories of the bravery and courage of the British soldiers and Zulu warriors.  These tours will be followed by a game walk and a more cultural encounter:

• See giraffe, zebra, wildebeest, kudu, Nyala and other non - threatening game in their 5000-acre private reserve.
• Hold a Martini-Henry rifle, as used by the British at Rorke’s Drift and a variety of contemporary Zulu assegais.
• Discover the traditional medicinal uses of the flora and fauna of the region – how do the Zulus brush their teeth?
• A visit to the nearby Zulu cultural village for a tangible experience of the Zulu’s way of life, could be an optional extra.

Followed by an early, specially prepared dinner, hot chocolate, and a babysitter on call, the Fugitives’ Drift experience can now be enjoyed by parents and children alike.  (ITT)

The Lodge has a network of single track ranging from flat to steep, technical and some not so technical.  They also have lots of Jeep track (two track).  You are welcome to bring your own bicycle, but they do have 4 bikes available for guests use.

One of the many perks of cycling on the property is viewing the array of plains game that live there, such as Giraffe, Zebra, Blesbok, Wildebeest , Impala and many more.  (ITT)

It is quite safe to walk on the property; Zulu guides are available to accompany those wishing to walk longer distances.  The most popular walk is to the great ledge overlooking several hundred square miles of unspoilt Zululand.  There is no charge for this walk.  Fishing, horse riding and the hike from Isandlwana to the Buffalo River (the Fugitives’ Trail) are also available.  (ITT)

For those keen on fly fishing, our game reserve is bordered by the Buffalo River Gorge and provides a fantastic fishing spot. Spend a morning in spectacular and tranquil surroundings, fishing for Natal Yellow Fish

Natal Yellowfish, also affectionately known as Scaly (Yellowfish), are a freshwater fish endemic to eastern South Africa, and KZN in particular. They can grow up to 65cm in length and weigh up to 4.5kg. The are an incredibly strong fighting fish, and readily take a well drifted fly.

Kindly note that you will need to bring your own equipment. Fishing in the Buffalo River is also season dependent and can only be done between May and October (with the best time being June – September).

Please also note that all fishing is strictly catch-and-release.

Another exciting excursion is to Blood River. This is where a battle was fought between the Boers and the Zulus on the 16th December (now a public holiday in South Africa), 1838. This trip is well worth the drive: 64 life-sized solid bronze wagons now sit on the site of the battle and are quite remarkable.

This facility is a delightful place to have lunch or while away a couple of hours taking in the view.
It is also an ideal venue for a party.

For Conference Use - Includes a mid-morning tea-break, bottled water & mints. Lunch and afternoon tea is included in the overnight rate. Screen & Projector for use. Rate is charged per day.