Fugitives' Drift Guest House

Fugitives' Drift Guest House, accommodation in Dundee Kwazulu Natal

Description

In its original state, the Guest House was the home of Mr Johan Potgieter and his family. "Mr Pot" was immortalised in Gillian Rattray's award winning tome "The Springing of the Year". He was one of the great storytellers of this area.

Mr Pot's house has been turned into the most charming sitting and dining room filled with fascinating memorabilia. The original verandah has been retained. It also has an outside eating area which has a stunning view across a plain with Isandlwana in the distance.

Cottages have large en-suite bedrooms that are individually decorated and all have private verandahs with sweeping views of the reserve and surrounding battlefields. The Guest House has a small swimming pool.

Superb food and personal service are a feature of this outstanding facility.

 
The Zulu War of 1879 is famous throughout the English-speaking world for the great battles of Isandlwana and Rorke’s Drift. The spectacular Fugitives’ Drift property, a 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.

If one tried to dream up geography and topography for the clash between two great nations, one could hardly come up with a more fantastic scene than this one.

It was here that David and Nicky Rattray pioneered Heritage Tourism in South Africa and created an award winning lodge for visitors to savour this extraordinary saga.

Led by the finest guides in South Africa, thought-provoking and often emotionally charged tours are conducted daily to Isandlwana and Rorke’s Drift. Walks and horserides through the reserve to view abundant game and birdlife are offered as well as fishing the 20km frontage on the Buffalo River.

The reserve offers a choice of accommodation in either the Lodge or the Guest House, both owned by the Rattrays and both born out of their extensive experience in the hospitality industry. Evident in every corner of Fugitives’ Drift is the Rattrays’ love of South Africa, its people and its unique history.

Both the Lodge and Guest House have spacious and luxurious en-suite cottages which all have 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.

 Accommodation

The Lodge

The Lodge is situated on the site of the original Rattray homestead where David’s parents Peter and Gillian came for their holidays and here the seeds of this unique operation took root in those early years.

Spacious, luxury en-suite cottages each have a private verandah affording views over the plains flanking the Buffalo River Gorge.

The Lodge is also home to our newly renovated Annex, or Cottage. The Cottage has been redesigned to have two en-suite bedrooms and a sitting-room. One bathroom has a shower and bath, the other is a small shower-room. It is ideal for small families or couples travelling together. Pictures of the Cottage are included on our Lodge Photo Gallery.

Another feature of the Lodge is the beautiful, shady, well established garden, home to innumerable birds, and the most spectacular large swimming pool situated on a secluded spur on the lip of the Buffalo River gorge.

Enjoy superb cuisine, a unique fusion of home and modern flavours, in the splendid atmosphere of a veritable museum of Zulu War memorabilia.

The Guest House

In its original state The Guest House was the home of Mr Johan Potgieter and his family. “Mr Pot” was immortalised in Gillian Rattray’s award winning book “The Springing of the Year”. He was one of the great storytellers of this area.

Mr Pot’s house has been turned into the most charming sitting and dining room, filled with fascinating memorabilia. The original verandahs have been retained. It also has an outside eating area which has a stunning view across a plain with Isandlwana in the distance.

Cottages have large, en-suite bedrooms that are individually decorated and all have private verandahs with sweeping views of the reserve and surrounding battlefields.
The Guest House boasts a sparkling pool that overlooks Isandlwana and the indigenous bushveld.

Superb food and personal service are a feature of this outstanding facility.

UMZINYATHI FARMHOUSE

The 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 Zulu War and where as a young boy, David Rattray spent many holidays. It was from George Buntting that David developed his passion for history and his particular interest in the Anglo Zulu War.

The farmhouse is at the top of the reserve and has a wonderful view of Isandlwana. It has 3 bedrooms (and a very small 4th bedroom), sitting room with fire place, dining room, kitchen and only 1 bathroom, with a bath, basin and toilet. There is a double rose hot shower outside.

Guests interested in this accommodation must be aware that this house, although having electricity, comfortable beds and hot water, is somewhat rustic. David did not want the dwelling changed on account of his special childhood memories here.

KWAGEORGE

An addition to Fugitives’ Drift is in the grounds of Umzinyathi Farmhouse; aptly named “KwaGeorge” which means, “Place of George” in the Zulu language.

Kwa George consists of a twin bedroom, en suite shower and verandah.

All meals are included in this rate. Meals are served at the Lodge or Guest House. This does mean that guests staying at KwaGeorge will be required to drive themselves to and from the Lodge or Guest House for all meals and for the tours.

Dining Room

The dining room at the Lodge has always proved a huge asset to our often-complimented atmosphere and houses a remarkable collection of Zulu War memorabilia; it will always be our centrepiece. 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.

Library

The Harford Library has the capacity to seat 34 guests and has a dedicated kitchen, wireless internet access and an integrated audio/visual system: the possibilities are endless.
From lunches and parties to corporate entertaining and think-tanks, the Harford Library will add yet another string to Fugitives' Drift's already powerful bow.

Attractions

BATTLEFIELD TOURS

Fugitives’ Drift is renowned for its
battlefield tours to all the Anglo-Zulu War battle sites in the region. Our flagship tours to Isandlwana and Rorke’s Drift are led by registered tour guides Rob Caskie, Joseph Ndima and George Irwin.

OTHER TOURS

MANGENI FALLS
MASONDO
BLOOD RIVER AND THE SITE WHERE THE
PRINCE IMPERIAL WAS KILLED
WALKS, FISHING AND HORSE RIDING

Special offers