THREE TREES GENERAL INFORMATION LOCATION, DISTANCES & TRANSFERS S 28 deg 39’ 41.6” E 29 deg 29’ 13.6” Altitude 1207m / 3959ft Mid-way between Johannesburg & Durban westwards towards the Drakensberg mountains. 27km from the N3 highway. 8km of gravel road. No 4 x 4 necessary. 360km from OR Tambo (4 hours drive) 260km from King Shaka International (3 hours drive) Nearest Airstrip Ladysmith 1200m / 3937ft – grass surface Transfers arranged on request. DESCRIPTION Against the magnificent backdrop of the Drakensberg Mountains of South Africa, and overlooking the secluded Mfazimnyama Valley of the Spioenkop Game Reserve lies Three Trees at Spioenkop, also known as Three Tree Hill lodge. This Eco-friendly lodge, which is Fair Trade Tourism certified, places great emphasis on responsible travel and offers spectacular scenery, locally grown farm-style country food with superb hospitality. It is the ideal environment in which to unwind and be rejuvenated. This intimate, luxury 18 bedded lodge is owner-managed by Simon & Cheryl Blackburn whose passion and enthusiasm for Africa’s wildlife, history and culture is immediately evident. You are welcomed into their home, and invited to experience the warm hospitality and relaxed atmosphere in their 4-star family-run lodge. Close to the base of Van Reenen’s pass, the lodge is also the ideal half-way stop between Johannesburg & Durban, only 27km from the N3 highway. This lodge is the perfect location to base yourself exploring the major Anglo-Boer War battlefields in Kwa Zulu Natal (Battles of Spioenkop and Colenso), the Northern Drakensberg mountains (world heritage site), and within easy 2-hours reach of the Anglo-Zulu War battlefields (Battles of Isandlwana & Rorkes Drift) Page 1 of 7 ROOM TYPES The lodge consists of 1 x Family Suite easily accessible to main facilities for children or people with disabilities. Master bedroom has a fireplace & walk-in closets, bathroom en-suite. Children’s (2nd) bedroom has bunk beds and a single bed, with separate toilet/basin room. Cozy kitchenette with tea/coffee making facility, microwave, small fridge, washing up area. Maximum 2 adults with 2 or 3 children (under 12 years) sharing. 6 x Twin rooms (king size on request) stand alone buildings with separate bath & shower en-suite. Rooms situated down fairly steep gradient from main lounge/dining facility. 1 x 2-bedroomed self-contained luxury cottage (Churchills) which sleeps 4 adults only, each with private en- suite bathrooms. No children under 8 yrs of age due to high balustrade. Self contained kitchen with open plan living area, private pool, braai & entertainment area. Ideal for honeymooners, couples travelling together or families with teenagers. ROOM AMENITIES The bedrooms are equipped with all the modern conveniences such as heated towel rails, overhead fans and panel room heaters. 100% cotton percale linen with hand-embroidery, cotton blankets, duck down duvets & pillows add to your comfort. Torches, umbrellas and hot water bottles supplied. These luxuries do not detract from the colonial design, but merely enhance your turn of the century South African colonial life experience. Private Verandah attached to each room. Guest amenities (shampoo, conditioner, moisturizer, bubble bath, bath salts) consist of a unique range of exquisite hand-made virgin olive-based African Botanical body care products. They are 100% natural, botanically active, ph-balanced, cruelty free products with no harmful chemicals or parabens. Tissues, cotton wool, ear buds & hand clothes-wash gel also supplied. Tea/coffee making facilities. Electronic safes, hair dryers & British square 3-prong plugs. Also 2-prong type. Private verandah attached to each room. LODGE FACILITIES Main lounge/dining area linked by central fireplace. Lounge adorned with historical memorabilia & collection of Africana for guests to enjoy. Communal dining unless otherwise requested. The colonial design of the lounge/dining area with its large verandahs, creates an ideal environment in which to wind down and enjoy nature. Meals are often served outside where one can soak up the views while enjoying the exquisite local cuisine. Sheltered Swimming Pool, Croquet Lawn, Sunrise Viewing Deck, Sundowner Viewing Point Page 2 of 7 FOOD & BEVERAGE A buffet style breakfast & lunch is served either outside on the viewing deck or on the verandah. Dinners are a set menu with 3 homely farm-style courses followed by port or cognac in front of the fireplace or out under the stars around the boma fire. Fresh, farm ingredients sourced locally or grown on site. Vegans, coeliacs, omnivores all catered for. Gold & Platinum Diners Club Wine List – Best of South African wines to choose from at reasonable prices. ACTIVITIES ON SITE Please allow yourself enough time to enjoy the lodge surroundings and facilities when making your reservation. Recommended minimum stay is 3 nights. Please pre-book battlefield tours. Nature Walking Trails – Marked trails (ranging between 2 – 6km) on the farm can be done self-guided or the company of a guide can also be requested free of charge. Bird Life is rewarding in both the summer and winter months, with a bird list of 270 species. Mountain bikes are freely available for the use of guests. Rhino Tracking in the neighbouring Spioenkop Game Reserve can be arranged with our resident guides. These are slightly more strenuous than the Nature Trails on the farm, as the paths in the park are not maintained. Guided Horse Trail Riding can be arranged to suit the experience of the riders. Cemetery Walk Self-guided walks or bicycle rides to Rangeworthy Cemetery 2km down the road. BATTLEFIELD TOURS Please note that it is recommended that you pre-book battlefield tours should you be particularly interested. We do not run every single tour type every day, so it is therefore recommended to stay a minimum 3 nights should you wish to cover some of these tours. Battle of Spioenkop – Three Trees Flagship Tour – half-day (4 hours) This tour tells of the bloodiest single day of the entire South African War. During January, General Sir Redvers Buller was joined by Lt General Sir Charles Warren, but their renewed attempts to breach the Boer defense line along the Tugela River were unsuccessful. Spioenkop was the highest point on the Boer defensive line and on 23 January 1900, a British attempt to capture it began. Astonishingly, Louis Botha, Winston Churchill and Mohandas Ghandi all played a role in this battle. Battle of Colenso & Churchill’s Capture – half day (4 hours) The Boers, in response to the anticipated arrival of thousands of British troops in Durban, took up defensive positions along the Thukela River near Colenso. In mid December a British force of over 15,000 men, under Sir Redvers Buller, suffered a humiliating defeat in attempting to break through to Ladysmith. In this battle 7 Victoria Crosses were won, contributing to two of only three father & son VC’s ever to be awarded. Young Winston was contracted by the Morning Post to cover the wars in South Africa, however, his capture at Page 3 of 7 Chievely and subsequent remarkable escape, thrust him into the political and public limelight, and arguably launched his political career. Less than a year later, aged 25, he became a MP for Oldham. The following tours must be arranged prior to arrival. Ladysmith Siege, Battles of Talana & Elandslaagte – full day (8 hours) The siege of Ladysmith lasted 118 days from 02 November 1899 until 27 February 1900. The town was the Northern post of the British garrison in Natal, chosen for its strategic position on the Klip River and the junction of the railway lines from Durban to both the Free State and Johannesburg, providing communications between the harbour and the interior. Talana was the Boers opening gambit in Natal, and although hailed as a British win, it was a pyrrhic victory with the Boers withdrawing, leaving major casualties on the British side including their general. Elandslaagde fought the next day, was, after a bloody struggle, a decisive British victory. It may be considered to be the last of the set piece battles of the war. Anglo-Zulu War Tours: Isandlwana and Rorke’s Drift – full day (10 hours) The British army under Lord Chelmsford had moved from the Eastern Cape border to the Zululand border during 1878.When the British ultimatum to the Zulu king, Cetshwayo, expired in January 1879. The British invaded Zululand in three separate columns. The Battle of Isandlwana took place when the central British column came into contact with the Zulus and suffered a humiliating and bloody defeat at the hands of a spirited Zulu army. Battle of Blood River 1838 – full day (10 hours) In 1838, the mighty Zulu army was defeated for the first time by the Voortrekker Commando under their leader, Andries Pretorius. This tour can be included with the Isandlwana and Rorke’s Drift tours. Options to do Tugela Heights, Vaalkrans or any Voortrekker sites can be arranged on request. Half day tours depart either after breakfast (07h45) at 08h30 & return around 12h30 for lunch or depart after lunch at 14h00 & return at sunset around 18h00. Times will be determined by guest numbers & weather at the time. Full day tours will depart after an early breakfast (07h00) at 07h30 & return around sunset. Picnic lunches (for full day) & refreshments are included on the tours, however it is possible to dine at eateries on the battlefields route at your own cost. ACTIVITIES NEARBY (within an hours’ drive) Mountain hiking, San Rock Art, Drakensberg Boys Choir, Raptor & Reptile Centre, Drakensberg Canopy Tours, Adventure Centre, Hot Air Ballooning, Helicopter rides, Quad Biking White Water Rafting (Nov – May only) Ladysmith Seige Museum, Spioenkop Game Reserve, Golf are all within an hours drive towards the Drakensberg Mountain Range. CHILDREN All ages welcome, except at Churchills (only children over 8 yrs old allowed here due to high balustrade) Children over 12 years charged at adult rate.