Fugitive’s Drift Lodge

Fugitive’s Drift Lodge offers one of the best Anglo-Zulu Battlefields experience in South Africa. Located close to Rorkes Drift, the scene of the epic encounter immortalised in the film’ Zulu’ and where British soldiers won 11 Victoria Crosses, Fugitives Drift  has a wealth of memorabilia, excellent historians and superb hospitality. We recommend a visit to anyone that is travelling to KwaZulu Natal and we can arrange a stay at Fugitive’s Drift as an extension to our Zulu Battlefields Golfing Itinerary. We highly recommend the lectures by the historical guides at Fugitives Drift. One of those guides, Rob Caskie tours the world and can usually be heard in the UK around October time each year giving his inspiring talks.

Rooms at Fugitive’s Drift Lodge
Fugitives’ Drift consists of three luxurious lodges: the Lodge, the Guest House and Umzinyathi House, each with its own unique ambience. Guests can stay at the original lodge which has recently undergone a major renovation, Half a kilometre further up the hill is the old colonial farmhouse and cottages of the Guest House with its more open, savannah-like aspect, 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 the Guest House have swimming pools.

Located near Rorke’s Drift, the lodge itself is situated on the site of the original Rattray homestead, rebuilt by David and Nicky Rattray in 1989, and houses the majority of the memorabilia in the central lounge and dining room area.  Each of the luxury en-suite cottages has a private verandah, set in beautiful shady, well-established gardens that are home to innumerable birds. There is also a spectacular large swimming pool situated on a secluded spur on the lip of the Buffalo River gorge.

Nearby at the Fugitives’ Drift Guest House there are a further 6 luxury twin en-suite rooms. The guest house was once the home of Mr and Mrs Potgieter who were immortalised in Gillian Rattray’s award-winning book “The Springing of the Year”.  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 luxury en-suite rooms all have verandahs and sweeping views of the reserve. The Guest House has a large swimming pool with views across the plain. It is particularly suitable for groups that wish to be accommodated together or for private tours.

Umzinyathi farmhouse is a charming stone and corrugated iron roof building 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.

After major renovations, it now has 3 ensuite bedrooms, sitting room with a fire place, dining room, kitchen and large veranda.The farmhouse can be taken on a self catering basis and guests are required to self-drive to and from the Lodge or Guest House for meals and tours.

Had one tried to dream up geography and topography for a clash between those two great empires, one could hardly have come up with more fantastic scenery than that which is found on and around the famous battlefields of Isandlwana and Rorke’s Drift.  This spectacular property is a Natural Heritage Site. Walks and horse rides through the reserve to view abundant game and birdlife as well as fishing the 20km frontage of the Buffalo River. The Rattray family, pioneers of Heritage Tourism in South Africa, created these award-winning facilities to allow visitors to savour the extraordinary saga of the Anglo-Zulu War.

Fugitives’ Drift is world famous for its battlefield tours, escorted by knowledgeable and highly-qualified lecturers, steeped in the history of the region and telling the tale as they were taught to tell it by the renowned historian David Rattray.

Accommodation at the Lodge is on a full board basis and guests can chose which activities they would like to join, which are charged separately.

For more information about staying at Fugitive’s Drift, holidays in South Africa or South Africa golf holidays, contact us here or call +44 208 249 5919 to speak to our South Africa holidays team.