Fugitives’ Drift Lodge

The spectacular Fugitives’ Drift Lodge is a 5000-acre Natural Heritage Site that overlooks both Isandlwana and Rorke’s Drift. Fugitives’ Drift consists of three luxurious lodges: The Main Lodge, the Guest House and Kwa-George Cottage, each with its own unique ambience.

The Main Lodge is the most luxurious of all of the accommodation options at Fugitives’ Drift, each spacious room has an en-suite bathroom with both inside and outside showers, air-conditioning, a mini-fridge, and a veranda with views of the plains flanking the Buffalo River gorge. Meals are served communally in the large dining room, or out on the deck (weather permitting). The lodge also houses the Harford Library, Fugitives’ Drift Museum, and a swimming pool.

The Guest House rooms at Fugitives Drift are comfortable and individually decorated. They have ceiling fans, en-suite bathrooms, and verandas with views out into the garden and onto the indigenous bushveld. The guest house boasts a sparkling pool and relaxing garden. The original farmhouse has been mildly revamped, and now forms a charming sitting and dining room, where meals are taken communally.

Kwa George is a rustic, small cottage; aptly named “Kwa George” which means, “Place of George” in the Zulu language. Kwa George consists of a basic twin bedroom, en-suite bathroom with a shower, and veranda. Please note, should you decide to book this accommodation you will need to travel to and from the lodge or the guest house for meals as well as tours (5 to 10-minute drive).

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. Guests can enjoy superb cuisine with a unique fusion of home and modern flavours whilst in the splendid atmosphere of the museum. 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.

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. 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.

Five-star accommodation, world-class battlefield tours, abundant game and birdlife, superb food and wine, and breath-taking views out over Zululand and the battlefields make for a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

About Rorke’s Drift

Rorke’s Drift provides an easy route from the northern plateau of Natal into Zululand, past the Isandlwana and Siphezi mountains. It was named after James Rorke who farmed near the crossing. After his death, the farm was taken over by a Swedish Mission that was to play a strategic role in one of the fiercest battles of the Anglo-Zulu War.

The countryside around Rorke’s Drift still manages to give true meaning to the description ‘unspoilt beauty’, and it is hard to imagine that this peaceful, undulating landscape was the scene of such violence. A visit to the Rorke’s Drift Battle Museum, which has received worldwide attention for its displays of the Anglo-Zulu War, gives an incredible audio-visual depiction of the Rorke’s Drift battle and others and is well worth a visit.

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 one’s hand at a spot of fishing. The 22km River frontage offers superb fishing.