Three Tree Hill Lodge

From the lunch packs, to the unique rooms with the amazing views to the flagship Spioenkop tour - all was amazing!!

I don’t think my wife could have selected for us a better location. From the accommodation, friendly, attentive staff and the general ambiance of Three Tree Hill, It delivered everything we were hoping for and we took the opportunity of taking their Battlefield tours, horse riding and walks. My wife focused on relaxing with a book next to our little pool as well as horse riding, whilst I took all three of their local battlefield tours, The battles of Ladysmith, Colenso and Spionkop. I was taken on those tours by both Ruben and Simon the owner. Both of them did a fantastic job and I especially enjoyed the laminated photos of many of the individuals that were involved in the battles, which really allowed me to connect the men to the history. Whilst Spionkop is very special, doing all three tours allowed me to understand the bigger picture. Thank you to everyone at Three Tree Hill, we will definitely be returning.

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.

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.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

A really nice spot to start a South Africa trip. Excellent food and friendly staff, well sign posted walking trails along the fences of a neighbour reserve. High light is the tours and history talks about local colonial history, Spioen Kop, Ladysmith and others. The sundowners overlooking the Drakensberg mountains rounded out each day.

We loved visiting this beautiful piece of land with a fascinating history. A must-visit for families of teenage boys who are interested in war histories! The lodge is thoughtful in all that they do, from the little touches like handmade bath products to the abundant local produce served at meals. The cozy library and dining/guest lounge make you feel like you are visiting family and my younger son fell in love with the lodge animals (cats, dogs, chickens and horses).

One of the best places ever Feels like family Great location Steeped in history Fabulous birdlife Great food What’s not to love ?

Everything from our welcome to departure was wonderful. Our only problem was we sadly couldn't stay longer. We were travelling around South Africa and this was one of our favourite stays. The evening of our arrival Melanie helped us to spot rhino, giraffes and other animals whilst sitting on the balcony! Such a lovely atmosphere at dinner, excellent food and wine. Cheryl took us horse riding the following morning which was so delightful. Great conversation too. Accommodation perfect. So comfortable in every way. Shout out to Gin and Tonic ... their two lovely cats. Absolutely worth the tricky journey to find. Recommended.