More Photos
More Photos

Three Tree Hill Lodge

Get a Quote
Get a Quote

Hotel overview

Although strictly a Battlefields lodge, Three Tree Hill is far enough west that it actually serves as a base for exploring the Drakensberg as well as the Battlefields. Simple colonial architecture prevails, with huge windows designed to be left open, creating the feeling that you are outside as much as inside. Wooden furniture, reddish stone floors and a garden filled with aloes remind you that you are firmly in Africa. With a view straight over the hill of Spionkop, it’s natural that battlefield tours are a key part of the reason to stay here, but walks into the mountains and the chance to learn more about the flora and fauna of the Drakensberg are also key.

Holiday ideas

All Holidays in South-africa
Holiday

Bergs, Battlefields & Bush

South Africa

Exploring the history & wildlife of KwaZulu-Natal.

13 days
Safari Adventure + 2 more + 3 more
from £4,750 pp
Holiday

Go Local in South Africa

South Africa

Real people. Real stories. Real South Africa.

19 days
Safari Wildlife & Nature + 3 more + 3 more
from £6,690 pp
Holiday

South Africa Safari & Beach

South Africa, Mauritius

A seamless South Africa and Mauritius holiday.

14 days
Romantic Safari + 2 more + 3 more
from £4,450 pp
Holiday

Unexplored South Africa

South Africa

Leave the tourist trail behind and experience a different South Africa.

14 days
Wildlife & Nature Luxury + 2 more + 3 more
from £9,350 pp
Holiday

City, Safari & Beach

South Africa, Mauritius

South Africa’s culture, safari and beaches rounding off with an indulgent island escape.

15 days
Family Classic + 3 more + 3 more
from £5,010 pp
Holiday

Kruger, Canyons & Cape

South Africa

The perfect South African summer holiday.

14 days
Safari Wildlife & Nature + 2 more + 3 more
from £3,995 pp

Quirky excursions

View all excursions in South Africa
Excursion

Drakensberg Bird watching

There are over 300 recorded species of bird in the uKhahlamba Drakensberg Park, and they range from the common, but colourful Forest Canary, to the rare but rather ugly Bald Ibis! You can go birding wherever you are in The Drakensberg: the trees outside your room will be filled with species you’ve never seen in the UK; however for the flagship birds, it’s best to head to somewhere like Giant’s Castle where there are bird hides. The iconic bird associated with Giant’s Castle is the Lammergeier, or Bearded, Vulture, although you’ll also be in with a chance of seeing a Black Eagle and other soaring raptors.

Excursion

Hiking in the Drakensberg

The Drakensberg Mountains are known as a hikers paradise. There are miles and miles of stunning trails that take in jaw-dropping scenery, San rock art, bird watching and game viewing, as well as the simple pleasure of being amongst the mountains. Perhaps the best place to head to is Giant’s Castle. There are no less than 19 marked trails in this area, operated by Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife, the provincial conservation body. Some of them are short out-and-back affairs, taking in some of the best views and sites near Giant’s Castle camp. Others are much longer, taking all day, or in some cases requiring overnight accommodation on the trail. As well as marked trails from places like Giant’s Castle (and Didima), many of the hotels and lodges we recommend are either in their own private reserves, or within the Drakensberg national park, and offer trails leading from the hotel or lodge.

Excursion

San rock-art

The Drakensberg Mountains is home to one of the greatest concentrations of the rock art of the indigenous San people. 500 sites of 20,000 individual paintings have been recorded, covering a period from about three thousand years ago. Didima and Giant’s Castle camps are both excellent places to go to see some fine examples of rock art as well as to join guided tours to help you understand and interpret the rock art. The depictions cover many elements of the early San life, from hunting to the importance of their shaman, and it is eerie to see this window into an extinct civilisation.

Excursion

Fishing in the Drakensberg

The rivers and dams of the Drakensberg area teem with trout, bass and carp; both fly fishing and course fishing are available on these water courses. If you are a keen fisherman, you may wish to take your own rods, reels and lures, although we can normally find somewhere for you to hire gear if you prefer. Many of the lodges and hotels we recommend in the area offer fishing on their properties, whilst if you fish in one of the reserves you’ll need a day permit.

Excursion

The Amphitheatre

The Royal Natal National Park encompasses the northern edge of the KwaZulu-Natal Drakensberg and is absolutely dominated by the Amphitheatre. This is a huge ridge of continuous sheer cliff wall, five kilometres long and 500 metres high. The nascent waters of the Thukela River tumble over the Amphitheatre near their highest point, falling 948 metres, which makes the Tugela Falls one of the highest waterfalls in the world. There are a number of hiking trails around the Amphitheatre, including a couple that take in the Tugela Falls: a good level of fitness is required and you should leave a full day to complete them. If the Amphitheatre looks vaguely familiar, it’s because the classic film about the defence of Rorke’s Drift, Zulu, starring Michael Caine, was shot here. Whilst not geographically accurate – Rorke’s Drift actually about 200 kilometres away – you can certainly see why the film’s producers wanted to relocate it to this most stunning backdrop.

Ready to
pack your bags?

Speak to one of our travel specialists today.

Get a Quote 01242 253 073

Open Mon-Fri: 9am-5pm

Image

We'd love to keep in touch.

Sign up to get our latest team news, travel tips and holiday inspiration straight to your inbox.

© 2025 Holiday Architects ltd. All Rights Reserved.