Three Tree Hill

“Wonderful stay at Three Tree Hill Lodge”

As part of a 2 week tour in Kwa-Zulu Natal we stayed at Three Tree Hill Lodge for three nights. It was a wonderful lodge, with plenty to do on site and nearby. We did a game walk, horse riding, a self-guided walk and went up Three Tree Hill to learn more about what happened in the Boer War, which… more

As part of a 2 week tour in Kwa-Zulu Natal we stayed at Three Tree Hill Lodge for three nights. It was a wonderful lodge, with plenty to do on site and nearby. We did a game walk, horse riding, a self-guided walk and went up Three Tree Hill to learn more about what happened in the Boer War, which was fascinating, and a part of history we hadn't explored before. This also enabled us to observe Spion Kop, which is where the various football grounds have taken the name from. The lodge was beautifully set up, with the main building, where meals were served, having a large veranda around it, so you could make the most of the warm and sunny days. The food was excellent, and the lunches were particularly innovative, and a big hit with us. The staff were terrific too, with a shout out to Melanie, who was super friendly and very helpful, and Ruben, who seemed to know everything about the Boer War and was very knowledgable on the history of South Africa, and lastly Anel, who did a great job on the sundowners, and the horses. If you are taking a tour of KZN, this should definitely be on your list for a stopover.

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“Highly recommended!”

Three Tree Hill is simply a place I wholeheartedly recommend. I can’t put into words just how much I—or rather, we—enjoyed our stay. The accommodations are a dream; they have everything you could possibly want. The entire staff is very kind and attentive. A special thank you goes to the owners, Che… more

Three Tree Hill is simply a place I wholeheartedly recommend. I can’t put into words just how much I—or rather, we—enjoyed our stay. The accommodations are a dream; they have everything you could possibly want. The entire staff is very kind and attentive. A special thank you goes to the owners, Cheryl and Simon. They make you feel like part of a family. They offer a wide variety of activities that let you experience the culture, nature, and wildlife (guided hikes, horseback riding, village visits, and much more). The food is excellent. Thank you so much—I’ll be back.

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“Three Tree Hill – Spectacular, Soulful and Seriously Sustainable​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​”

Few lodges earn the word “special” – this one does. Cheryl and Simon Blackburn have built something genuinely rare: a place where extraordinary landscape, living history and real community impact arrive in the same breath. The lodge sits in the lee of Spioenkop, one of the bloodiest battlefields o… more

Few lodges earn the word “special” – this one does. Cheryl and Simon Blackburn have built something genuinely rare: a place where extraordinary landscape, living history and real community impact arrive in the same breath. The lodge sits in the lee of Spioenkop, one of the bloodiest battlefields of the Anglo-Boer War, and that history is woven into everything – not as a gimmick, but with real depth and passion. From the main veranda you watch giraffe, rhino and zebra with her calf move freely through the reserve. If you do not want to look that far, feel free to enjoy the animals roaming directly outside the lodge – horses, dogs, cats, all of them happy and curious to meet guests. The food is exceptional throughout, and as a vegetarian I was looked after at every meal very thoughtfully – I thoroughly felt seen! The cottages are spacious, spotlessly kept and full of character – think embroidered linen, colonial touches and a private veranda with views that make it genuinely difficult to leave. Air conditioning and all modern comforts are discreetly present, but the overall feel is warm and unpretentious rather than corporate. What sets Three Tree Hill apart, though, is the community tour led by manager Ntobeko. She walked us through the lodge’s work in Hambrook village: a micro-business incubator supporting local women, a live demonstration of copper wire mat-making, and an introduction to a woman reportedly over 110 years old. All of this funded quietly through the lodge’s own community levy. It was the most unexpectedly moving afternoon of the entire trip. Farm-to-table, Fair Trade certified, solar-powered – here you experience sustainability first hand. For conscious travellers, this is as good as it gets.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

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“A Home from Home”

We had a fabulous two nights at Three Tree Hill. It felt a little bit like a home from home. Cheryl & Simon run a very welcoming lodge and the staff are friendly, helpful and very good at their job. I would highly recommend Three Tree Hill. Do the battlefield tours, make sure you do sundowners loo… more

We had a fabulous two nights at Three Tree Hill. It felt a little bit like a home from home. Cheryl & Simon run a very welcoming lodge and the staff are friendly, helpful and very good at their job. I would highly recommend Three Tree Hill. Do the battlefield tours, make sure you do sundowners looking back at the Drakensburg mountains and be sure to do some of the walks which are well maintained and well marked.

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