Fugitives’ Drift Lodge
Anglo-Zulu Battlefields
KwaZulu Natal
FROM
R6,399 pp/night sharing
Normal Selling Rate R7,998
Bookable anytime
valid from 01-07-2024 until 31-12-2024
Fugitives’ Drift Lodge
Anglo-Zulu Battlefields
KwaZulu Natal
Features
- The Zulu War of 1879 is famous throughout the English-speaking world for the great battles of Isandlwana & Rorke’s Drift and this history is what is portrayed at Fugitives Drift.
- The reserve offers a choice of accommodation in either the Lodge or the Guest house where the love of South Africa, its people & its unique history come together to create an extraordinary experience.
- Tours guided by the finest guides in South Africa, guests can enjoy thought-provoking and often emotionally charged tours.
- Big FiveNo
- Off RoadNo
- Camp FencedYes
- Child PolicyChildren of all ages welcome
- PoolYes
- SPANo
- AirconYes
- Cellphone SignalLimited
- Malaria AreaNo
- WI-FIYes
- Back-up PowerGenerator
Location
Rorke's Drift, Anglo-Zulu Battlefields, Kwazulu-Natal
Getting There
5 hours drive from Johannesburg
4 hours drive from Durban
Accommodation
The Lodge – 10 x Luxury En-Suite Rooms
Guest House – 6 En-Suite Rooms
Umzinyathi House – 3 En-Suite Bedrooms (Self Catering)
Kwa George – 1 En-Suite Room
Rates & Special Offers
Deals By Date
Please note:
- All rates are subject to availability.
- Proof of SADC residency may be required at the time of booking or upon check-in at the lodge.
- Surcharges may apply on rates over peak holiday periods and long weekends.
- Unless otherwise stated, all rates listed are based on a minimum 2 night stay. Surcharges may apply for a 1 night booking.
- Rates quoted are only applicable to South African Residents. Discounted special rates for International Residents are available on request.
- A Conservation Levy of R 193 per adult per night / R 94 per child per night, is payable directly to the Lodge. (Subject to change)
- Main Lodge: Please contact your BushBreak & More consultant for single rate charges.
- Children of all ages are welcome and child rates are available on request.
- Main Lodge:
- One child under 12 years sharing with two full paying is permitted in a Lodge luxury room
- Normal per night rates apply for children in their own room.
- Please understand that consideration needs to be given to other guests in The Lodge.
- Children under 8 years are not allowed in the dining/sitting room. Separate meal times will be arranged at the convenience of the child and parent.
- Due to the length and content of the tours, children under the age of 12 years are normally not permitted to go on these tours. It will be at the lecturer’s discretion whether children younger than 12 years can be accommodated on the tours.
- The Lodge offers child-minding facilities whilst parents are out on tour and in the evening while parents are at dinner. For the keen junior historians the Battlefield Kids program is an excellent option. Please contact your BushBreaks consultant for information on the program and on the additional cost per child.
About Fugitives’ Drift Lodge
The Zulu War of 1879 is famous throughout the English-speaking world for the great battles of Isandlwana and Rorke’s Drift. The historical Fugitives’ Drift property which is a 5000 acre Natural Heritage Site, overlooks both Isandlwana and Rorke’s Drift and includes the site where Lieutenants Melvill and Coghill lost their lives attempting to save the Queen’s Colour of their regiment.
Fugitives’ Drift consists of three luxurious lodges: the Lodge, the Guest House and Umzinyathi House with Kwa George, each with its own unique ambience. Half a kilometre further up the hill one can find the old colonial farmhouse & cottages of the Guest House which has a more open, savannah-like topograhy and a further half a kilometre up the hill, set back from public access in private seclusion is the luxurious self-catering Umzinyathi House.
Both the Lodge and Guest House have spacious and luxurious en-suite cottages which all boast private verandahs and broad views over the plains flanking the Buffalo River Gorge. The Lodge and Guest House both have swimming pools set in their colourful, well established gardens which are home to innumerable bird species.
Guests can enjoy superb cuisine with a unique fusion of home and modern flavours whilst in the splendid atmosphere of a veritable museum of Zulu War memorabilia.
THE ACCOMMODATION
The Luxury Suites at the Lodge
The Lodge is the original establishment, built by David and Nicky Rattray in 1989, and rebuilt and refurbished in 2017. This is where the majority of the memorabilia is and can be found in the museum. Each spacious luxury en-suite room boasts a private verandah with outdoor shower.
The Guest House
This old farmhouse has been altered and now forms the most charming sitting and dining room. The original verandahs have been retained and the outside eating area has a stunning view across a plain with Isandlwana in the distance. The large en-suite rooms all have verandahs and sweeping views of the reserve.
The Guest House boasts a sparkling pool that overlooks Isandlwana and the indigenous bushveld.
Umzinyathi & KwaGeorge
This farmhouse is a charming stone and corrugated iron roof building which was built in the 1920’s. It was the home of George Buntting, who was an expert on the Anglo Zulu War. The farmhouse is at the top of the reserve and has a wonderful view of Isandlwana. It has three en-suite bedrooms, a sitting room with fire place and a spectacular dining room.
Guests are required to drive to and from the Lodge or Guest House for meals and tours.
FLAGSHIP TOURS AT FUGITIVES DRIFT
Isandlwana & Rorke’s Drift
Fugitives’ Drift is renowned for its battlefield tours to all the Anglo-Zulu War battle sites in the region. These flagship tours to Isandlwana and Rorke’s Drift are led by the registered tour guides of Fugitives Drift.
Mevill & Coghill
Guests can visit the graves of Lieutenants Melvill and Coghill who lost their lives in an attempt to save the Queen’s Colour, earning the first two posthumous Victoria Crosses ever awarded.
Battlefield Kids
Fugitives’ Drift is renowned for delivering awe-inspiring battlefield tours that bring the battles of Rorke’s Drift & Isandlwana to life. This experience gives a deep and tangible insight into some of the most moving of South Africa’s battlefields.
At Fugitives Drift kids under 12 years of age can participate in these tours. While these world-renowned tours set off with the parents, shorter, more interactive tours on the property are led by a guide just for the kids which will engage and inspire children with stories of the bravery and courage of the British soldiers and Zulu warriors. These tours will be followed by a game walk.
THE HARFORD LIBRARY
The old dining room at the Lodge which is now the museum, has always proved to be a huge asset to the often-complimented atmosphere and houses a remarkable collection of Zulu War memorabilia. Complementing this, a new venue, the Harford Library, has been built within the grounds of the Lodge.
With incredible views over the Buffalo River Gorge and the mountain of Isandlwana, the Harford Library offers a fantastic venue for friends who wish to relax and celebrate, or for executive groups to meet and contemplate the important business lessons which can be drawn from these remarkable stories.
The Harford Library has the capacity to seat 34 guests and has a dedicated kitchen, wireless internet access and an integrated audio/visual system.
MORE ABOUT THE AREA
This part of KwaZulu Natal and the battlefields, indeed the whole region, are characterised by the most remarkable geography which, to quote David Rattray, “literally leaps out of the pages of She and Nada the Lilly…”. This geography, which was certainly enough to inspire Sir Henry Rider Haggard, is just as awe-inspiring to all guests.
Both the Lodge and Guest House lie within the 5,000 acre Fugitives’ Drift Game Reserve which is a registered Natural Heritage Site and is teeming with wildlife. Boasting over 250 species of birds on the property, ranging from the Purple-crested Lourie to the Yellow Weaver, many of which can be seen from the comfort of the veranda.
A walk down to Fugitives’ Drift on the Buffalo River will afford an opportunity not only to swim in pools and rapids, but also to try ones hand at a spot of fishing. The 22km river frontage offers superb fishing.
Guided game walks, and hiking are all available.
Additional Activities
- Fishing
- Guided Walks
- Walking Trails
- Mountain Biking
- Battlefield Tour
- Mangeni Falls
- Masondo
- Blood River and the site where the prince imperial was killed
Getting There
FROM JOHANNESBURG
- From the airport, follow signs to the N3 South (to KwaZulu Natal). Drive on the N3 South towards Durban for about 1½ hours. Cross the Vaal River, and go through the Wilge Toll Plaza. After Wilge, take the off ramp onto the R34 to Warden and Vrede. Just before the town of Vrede, turn right on the R34 towards Memel and Newcastle. Go through Newcastle until you reach a t-junction (McDonald’s will be on your left). Turn right here, and continue along the R34 (Allen Street) until you reach another t-junction. Turn right for Dundee.
- When you reach Dundee, continue straight through the town (keeping left at the circle) towards the Talana Museum and Vryheid.
- Leave Dundee, passing the Talana Museum on your left, and continue straight for about 6km until you see a right-hand turn signposted to Nqutu. Turn right.
- After roughly 25-30km, turn right onto a dirt road, signed to Rorke’s Drift (and Fugitives’ Drift). Drive for 7km until you reach a t-junction; turn LEFT to Rorke’s Drift. Continue straight for about 10km. Pass the Rorke’s Drift battlefield on your left (you will see a gate with Shiyane written on it) and continue straight for another 2km until you see a left-hand turn onto the D31, signed Fugitives’ Drift.
- Go along this road for 7km through the big black gate until you see signs for the Lodge and Guest House, on the right.
FROM DURBAN (4 HOURS)
- Leave the airport and head North on the N2, towards KwaDuzuka. Stay on the N2 until you reach the turnoff for Gingindlovu (after about 45minutes- 1 hour). Leave the N2 here, following signs to Gingindlovu and Eshowe. Continue on this road past Eshowe, and continue straight on to Melmoth.
- Entering Melmoth, head downhill, passing the KFC on your left. If you need to refuel, do so in Melmoth (there is a good Sasol garage on your right). Continue straight, over some speedbumps, and then turn left at the bottom of the next hill onto the R68 heading for Babanango. The turnoff is only a few hundred meters down the hill from the speedbumps. It looks like a very secondary tar road, but it is the correct road. Go about 3-4km and at the top of the hill watch out for a sharp t- junction. Turn turn left- still on the R68- to Babanango. Approx 25km from Melmoth, the R68 takes a 90 degree right turn, while the road you are travelling on carries on to Nkandla. The right hand turn is signposted to Babanango Valley- take this! Continue straight through the Babanango Valley until you reach the small town of Babanango, where you will get to a stop sign (with the Sunrise Cafe on your right). Turn left here on the R68 towards Nqutu..
- 43km from Babanango, (13km before Nqutu) turn left onto a dirt road signposted to Isandlwana. Travel for about 16km on gravel (Isandlwana battlefield on your left after 7km) and turn left onto D30 signed Rorke’s Drift.
- Travel 10km towards Rorke’s Drift and cross the Buffalo River on a single lane cement bridge. Continue to the t-junction; turn left. Drive past the Rorke’s Drift battlefield (on your left and carry on for 3km). Turn left onto the D31 to Fugitives’ Drift. Continue straight to our main gate and then follow signs to the lodge or guest house.