Sycamore Avenue Treehouse

ABOUT US

Sycamore Avenue Treehouses is a family business that started in 2000 and is now owned by Gary Els, of the next generation, who together with his team of hosts and staff will ensure that you enjoy the unique experience with us exploring your childhood fantasies!

Ever since Gary first saw Halley’s comet in 1986, he has been a keen amateur astronomer and member of the Astronomical Society of Southern Africa. Sycamore’s location is blessed with clear, dark skies, with fantastic view of the Milky Way. When he is at Sycamore – and skies permitting – guests can be treated to a guided tour of the night sky, accompanied by eye-popping views of planets and the cosmos through his large telescope.

Visit the Gallery page to view some of the stunning star panoramas, as well as surrounding berg vistas and sunsets photographed from Sycamore.

Our guest register at Reception pays tribute in almost every entry to wonderful hospitality – and to our legendary food. Florence, our resident (and genius) cook, conjures up the most delightful set meals, from starters to main courses, followed by mouthwatering desserts.

Stay a few days and you will experience a variety of starters: soups such as butternut, mushroom or pea to name but a few, or her rich quiches, stuffed eggs or a host of other delights.

The main course of the day is a set meat-of-the-day – you can anticipate roast lamb, roast chicken, beef curry or a favorite: ox-tail stew

The main dish is accompanied by three prepared vegetables, and usually by roast potatoes and gravy.

We can cater to your requirements if you are diet-restricted, fish, vegetarian or vegan eaters, provided that you give us advance notice when booking.

If you have room left, you can try to squeeze in the dessert of the day. This could be any of Florence’s many homemade delights: cheesecake, tipsy tart, apple pie, strawberry flan, milk tart, trifle, tiramisu, Crème brûlée or hot malva pudding and ice-cream. Yum !

In the morning, a full English breakfast is served. A selection of yogurts, fruit and cereals is available to begin with. We then serve a plated main course consisting of eggs prepared to your liking, and sausages, bacon, tomatoes, mushrooms and beans. Alternatively, try an omelet. To top it off, enjoy some home-baked scones with your filter coffee, tea or fruit juice. After this start, you should have plenty of energy to do some Meandering! 

ACCOMMODATION

Activities in our Area

There are lots of activities available in the Drakensberg and Natal Midlands, the regions that surround Sycamore Avenue. This is a malaria free region of KwaZulu Natal in South Africa and offers much for the adventure seeker as well as plenty for those seeking relaxation. We are about 50km from Giants Castle with hiking trails or leisurely strolls along the contour path to the famous caves and the Bushman Paintings. This Central Drakensberg Resort “Giants Castle” makes for a great day out. Visit Kamberg reserve in the Southern Drakensberg just 40 Km away & see the bushman paintings at Game Pass Shelter. The best trout / fly fishing in the region is available in 7 well stocked dams and 4 km of river. A day permit is available for trout fishing in Kamberg Nature Reserve itself. The Weenen Game Reserve is about 45km away from us, well known for Rhino, antelope, giraffe and zebra. There are shady wild fig trees with great picnic sites. The Midlands Meander is well known for its beautiful scenery and Arts & Crafts outlets. The Midlands Meander also offers great places for a country lunch. Horse riding in a private Game Reserve in the Uthukela Biosphere makes for a very different way to view game. These horse safaris bring you within a few meters of giraffe. Most horse rides are three hours but if you would like a full day horse riding safari it can be arranged. Horse riding outride along the Mooi River makes for an easy introduction to horse riding. Its perfect for beginners and children. Horse riding is also available in the Drakensberg Mountains.

For those 4x4 enthusiasts why not do a trip to the top of the Sani Pass ? The views are spectacular but remember bring your passport. A Basutho Cultural Village can be viewed at the top. 20km from Estcourt with its history of the Boer & Zulu Wars. Go with a battlefields guide and let him bring this dramatic history back to life. Fort Durnford in Estcourt is worth a visit for the Zulu village and famous bird eggs collection. The Mooi River Country Club is just 7km away where you are able to play Golf and Bowls. Its a good choice too for lunch and dinner River Rafting is available on the Tugela River when the rivers are high, leaving early in the morning, includes breakfast and lunch with all equipment required for the river rafting. If you prefer a quiet time we have a beautiful garden with many kinds of birds that visit every day, and we have 50 acres for you to walk to watch the birds. Sycamore Ave looks on to the Drakensberg with a view of Giants Castle best viewed with a cocktail while the sun is setting Stay a few days and explore this beautiful area of KwaZulu Natal. You wont be sorry.

Accommodation

Romantic Treehouse

This is our smallest and quirkiest Treehouse, built onto a tree whose generous branches provide a leafy retreat from the summer Sun. Come relax on the high platform in a hammock while catching the sunset views of the Drakensberg. For the cooler times, there is a fireplace inside that supplies warmth and good cheer or simply indulge yourselves in the private Spa Bath.

This Treehouse is a favourite among our Honeymooners.

Fantasy Treehouse

This Treehouse sleeps two adults and two children, and has three levels. On the bottom level is a sitting room with fireplace, which also boasts a large wooden chess set. The main bedroom on the third level has a glassed shower in it, and an en suite bathroom. The second level room has its own bathroom as well. An aerial walkway leads you to your separate, private Spa Bath in Sky

Bottle Treehouse

A charming Treehouse, which is the only one with a Spa Bath in the bedroom along side a queen?sized bed. Leading off the main room is the patio deck with hammock chairs to take in views of the Drakensberg and the deck also houses a glassed Indoor/Outdoor shower. The comfortable lounge features a fireplace and funky Nguni cow pictures.

Faraway Treehouse

Our well secluded Treehouse, built on two levels into an ancient Sycamore tree. Beautifully hand-sculptured, coloured flowers adorn the walls. There are two decks on which to enjoy sundowners and marvel at the beauty of the sleeping Giant in the Drakensberg. The bedroom has a fireplace, and the glow of the flames will enhance your enjoyment of the queen size bed on the chillier nights. Take in the wonderful views from the complete privacy of your Spa Bath and shower.

Pegasus Treehouse

This Treehouse has an Equestrian theme. The artful wooden spiral staircase leads into a large room, with comfortable armchairs focusing on a fireplace. The queen-sized bed rests on a raised platform, and a door leads out onto a balcony deck overlooking a paddock, with the Drakensberg in the background. The warm wooden en-suite Bathroom has a Spa Bath and a glassed shower.

Planequarium Treehouse

Stars and fishes accent this larger Treehouse, which can sleep two couples and two children. A fireplace waits to cast a cheerful glow in the comfortable lounge area, and your hammock awaits you on the covered outside patio. An aerial bridge leads from the main Treehouse to an adjacent tower, that houses both a Spa Spa bathroom and a double shower room.

Country Cottage 1

Just off our avenue of Sycamore Trees, our quaint English style country cottages share an enclosed garden, with patio and hammock chairs on the covered veranda. This cottage has an airy lounge with a cozy fireplace, and a single bathroom with a Jacuzzi spa bath. There is one bedroom but the cottage can sleep up to four, with two Adults in the main bedroom and two single beds in the lounge.

Country Cottage 2

Just off our avenue of sycamore Trees, our quaint English style country cottages share an enclosed garden, with patio and hammock chairs on the covered stoep. This cottage has a large lounge and a single bathroom. There are two bedrooms, where the master bedroom has a cozy fireplace to enhance the pleasure of the queen-sized bed. The second bedroom has two single beds.