Spioenkop Nature Reserve

35km/22mi west of Ladysmith is the Spioenkop Nature Reserve (area 5979ha/14,768ac), in an attractive region of hills and valleys round the Tugela River, which is dammed at this point. This was the scene of a bloody battle during the Boer War (known in English history books as the battle of Spion Kop). A Historic Trail leads to the battlefield.

Within the nature reserve is a 400 hectare/1,000 acre game park containing blue wildebeests, zebras, reedbucks, impalas, red hartebeests, blesboks, rhinos and giraffes. Visitors can explore the reserve on foot accompanied by a park ranger. The Spioenkop Discovery Trail (a 2-4 hour walk) introduces visitors to the ecology of the region.

There is accommodation for visitors in