Things to do in South Africa

Explore the Central Drakensberg mountains from Three Tree Hill Lodge

Known as Dragons’ Mountain in Afrikaans, its fearsome peaks rise to over 11,400 feet and stretch for 700 miles…

By Cheryl Blackburn

Owner and guide, Three Tree Hill Lodge

The Drakensberg mountain range could be one of the most beautiful places in South Africa, if not the world. Known as Dragons’ Mountain in Afrikaans, its fearsome peaks rise to over 11,400 feet and stretch for 700 miles. Their epic evolution leaves in their wake a mile-high Amphitheatre, painterly valleys and titanic escarpments so sharp they appear to slice the sky.

From Three Tree Hill Lodge, the easiest and one of the prettiest parts of the range to explore is Champagne Valley, cradled by Champagne Castle, South Africa’s third tallest peak. This mountain was given its name by two adventurers hoping to celebrate their summit with a bottle of bubbly only for one of them to drop it on the way up. Bad luck though didn’t stop them from enjoying the striking vistas that today remain unblemished and picture-perfect.

You can decode the many trails with the help of a map. Armed with a picnic lunch and fired up with a school-kid sense of adventure, set off on varied paths that you can hike, bike or just amble along. They range from a 12-kilometre loop with rewarding views of Cathkin and Sterkhorn’s sky-scraping peaks to a more leisurely 2.5-kilometre hike to Sterkspruit Falls where you could, if you want to, brave a brisk dip in its mountain stream. Meanwhile, adrenaline junkies can get their kicks on helicopter flips over literal breath-stealing scenery, or by white-water rafting down parts of the historic Tugela River rarely encountered by other people.

The scope and pastoral beauty on offer have allowed for niche activities to flourish such as falconry, a great one for families. During term time, Champagne Valley transforms into a stunning backdrop for mountaintop performances by the Drakensberg Boys Choir whose Ed Sheeran and Queen renditions are internationally recognised and totally worth staying out for on a school night.

Available in these itineraries…

Itinerary

Special Offer

KwaZulu-Natal Bush, Beach and Battlefields Self-Drive
by Becky Souissi

Length10 Days

Price range£4,425 - £5,250pp

Alfred & Cheryl Blackburn

Being born in the Kruger National Park instilled in Cheryl a love of nature and wildlife. Having lived and worked as a guide in the Kruger reserve, and also in Botswana, she eventually got the opportunity to run her own lodge, with her growing family, in the lush KwaZulu Natal Drakensberg region. She still finds time to guide guests on foot, tracking white rhino in the neighbouring Spioenkop Game Reserve.

Plan your holiday withAlfred&

Your journey will start with one of our UK team – someone like Laura, who's travelled extensively in South Africa. They’ll shape your ideas into the trip of a lifetime. But they won't do it alone. They'll draw on the expertise of our contacts on the ground, connecting you to the people who'll make your holiday one you'll always remember - ex banker who can show you the hottest foodie spots in Cape Town, the award-winning young sommelier who can introduce you to Stellenbosch's finest wines and the walking safari ranger who can guide you to the best game.

Laura Preston

Travel Expert for Alfred&

Having travelled extensively through Africa, Laura has a wealth of experience. She is passionate about Tanzania’s diversity from the quiet wilds of Ruaha that feel completely private to the silvery sands of Zanzibar and Stone Town’s spice-laced streets. In South Africa, she sought out the best views over Table Mountain, cocktail in hand, as well as the lesser-visited Kruger conservancies for more exclusive safaris. But her favourite place in the world has to be the Serengeti for its wide-open plains and incredible game that epitomise that feeling of Africa.
Wayne Howarth

Head Safari Guide at Kariega Game Reserve

Wayne loves being outdoors and has spent most of his life between the family farm and working on Private Game Reserves in the Eastern Cape. He has been guiding at Kariega for 12 years. His qualifications include Field Guide Association of South Africa (FGASA) Level 2, Advance Rifle Handling, Skippers Licence Category R and first aid. One of his career highlights was becoming a finalist in the 2021 Safari Guide of the Year competition.
Rupesh Kassen

Founder and guide of Eat Like A Local

Rupesh Kassen abandoned his decade-long career in banking to move to East Africa, where he trained and worked as a chef. He later became immersed in South Africa’s food scene and worked as a food critic before setting up Eat Like A Local in Cape Town. Rupesh now offers guided food tours to showcase the city and its diverse culture and history through food.
Fundi Ziqubu

Sommelier

Fundi was born in Durban and fell in love with wine when it was introduced to her by a few Capetonian friends. On discovering her passion she got the chance to study wine with the department of tourism in collaboration with the Sommeliers Academy. Being appointed sommelier at Lanzerac was a career highlight and in 2019 Fundi was named most up-and-coming wine steward by the Distell Inter-Hotel challenge.
Ntobeko Ntshingila

Duty Manager at Three Tree Hill Lodge

Ntobeko has been part of the Three Trees family for 13 years and describes it as a lovely journey with lots of room for growth and experience. She has her own family, including a daughter of 18, and a son, aged three. She lives in a nearby village with her parents, four siblings and three nephews. When not spending time with her family she manages her broiler chicken business, which brings her extra income.
Cheryl Blackburn

Owner and guide, Three Tree Hill Lodge

Being born in the Kruger National Park instilled in Cheryl a love of nature and wildlife. Having lived and worked as a guide in the Kruger reserve, and also in Botswana, she eventually got the opportunity to run her own lodge, with her growing family, in the lush KwaZulu Natal Drakensberg region. She still finds time to guide guests on foot, tracking white rhino in the neighbouring Spioenkop Game Reserve.