Things to do in South Africa

Getting out in nature from Three Tree Hill Lodge

We encourage our guests to get out into the foothills as much as possible – on horseback, on foot and on mountain bikes…

By Cheryl Blackburn

Owner and guide, Three Tree Hill Lodge

It wasn’t difficult deciding to set up home at Three Tree Hill. We’re lucky enough to have some of the region’s (if not South Africa’s) finest scenery on our doorstep and we love sharing our knowledge and history of the area. Champagne Castle is South Africa’s third highest peak and wherever you go the rugged peaks of the Drakensberg (which means dragon mountains) offer a magical backdrop.

Although the lodge is a lovely place to relax and enjoy the views we encourage our guests to get out into the foothills as much as possible – on horseback, on foot and on mountain bikes. Trail rides on horseback weave through the working cattle farm adjacent to the Spioenkop Game Reserve where you might see game from time to time. Mountain bike trails on the farm snake through the hills, following narrow single tracks and trails, and range from 2km to 20km.

Guided nature walks along set trails can be arranged free of charge. I’ve been bringing my children on these walks for years and it’s still something we love to do as a family. I’ve made them as interactive as possible, highlighting the small things like plants and insects and showing them how to track wildlife by spotting patterns and excrement in the earth. There’s game spotting, too – sometimes we might be lucky enough to see white rhino and giraffe. There are more strenuous walks into the neighbouring Spioenkop reserve, too, where the terrain is rocky and hilly.

About 3km from Three Tree Hill and situated below iNtabamnyama Battlefield is the Rangeworthy Cemetery, which holds the graves of soldiers killed in the battles of iNtabamnyama and Bastion Hill. There is even a Geocache hidden here. We offer walks or bike trips here.

Available in these itineraries…

Itinerary

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.