Location: South Africa » Kwazulu Natal » Battlefields » Anglo Zulu » DundeeFugitives' Drift Guest HouseFugitives' Drift Guest House, accommodation in Dundee Kwazulu NatalDescriptionIn 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. Henry "Charlie" Harford
Charlie Harford was David Rattray's favourite personality in his tales of the Anglo-Zulu War. He referred to him as "our beloved beetle-collector". Harford, born in 1852, emigrated to Pinetown, Natal, with his father in 1864. He went back to England in 1870 to join the 99th Regiment of Foot then returned to Natal in 1878, becoming, thanks to his fluency in Zulu, Staff Officer to Commandant Lonsdale of the Natal Native Contingent. Harford's particular appeal to David was his keen interest in entomology - the subject of David's degree - and he is probably best remembered for stopping the skirmish at Sihayo's Stronghold in order to retrieve a rare beetle and pickle it in gin. 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.   
AttractionsBATTLEFIELD 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 offersAugust 2010
R1800 per person per night
All rates include English breakfast, buffet lunch, 5 course dinner, tea & coffee, all tours and taxes.
Applies to new bookings only
DirectionsFROM JOHANNESBURG (5 HOURS)
Take the N3 out of Johannesburg south towards Durban. Just before the Wilge Toll Plaza take the Villiers turnoff (R103) and head towards Warden. Take the R34 to Vrede, Memel and Newcastle. Go through Newcastle and turn right onto the Ladysmith road (N11). After 16km take the R621 to Dannhauser, Hattingspruit and Dundee. In Dundee, at the 4th traffic light (in the main street) turn right on the R33 towards Greytown. Signboard for Greytown R33 is on the left of the road. After 14km turn left onto dirt to Rorke’s Drift, drive for 29km to Rorke’s Drift. Go beyond Rorke’s Drift for 2km and turn left 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. (The gate is locked at 6pm).
FROM DURBAN (3 AND A HALF HOURS)
Take the N3 to Pietermaritzburg. Take the glide-off (R33) to Greytown. In Greytown follow signs to Dundee. Continue along the R33 through Keates Drift, Tugela Ferry and Pomeroy. Please be aware of speed humps. 10km after Pomeroy take the dirt road turnoff to the right, marked Elandskraal. At Elandskraal (which consists of a church and a trading store) turn left to Rorke’s Drift. Go for about 14km and before you get to Rorke’s Drift turn right onto the D31, sign posted Fugitives’ Drift. Go for about 7km (through the big black gates) and follow the signs for the Guest House or the Lodge. (Please note that the gate is locked at 6pm).
Alternative route from Durban is via Mooi River, Colenso, Ladysmith and Dundee. In Dundee take the R33 towards Greytown and follow the directions as from Johannesburg above.
FROM HLUHLUWE / UMFOLOZI AREA (4 HOURS)
From Empangeni take the R34 inland to Melmoth, then the R68 to Babanango (beware of potholes) and Nqutu. 40km from Babanango (before Nqutu) take the turn-off to the left, marked Isandlwana. Follow this road past the Isandlwana Battlefield for 9km, then turn left onto the D30 and follow signs to Rorke’s Drift. Turn left at the T-junction to Rorke’s Drift. Go 2km beyond Rorke’s Drift and you will see D31, marked Fugitives’ Drift, on your left. Take this dirt road, go through big black gates and follow the signs for the Guest House and the Lodge. (Please note that the gate is locked at 6pm).
APPROXIMATE DRIVING TIMES:
Dundee 1 hour
Ladysmith 1 and 3/4 hours
Empangeni 3 hours
Nelspruit 6 to 7 hours 
| 
Fugitives' Drift Lodge
+27 (0)34 642 1843
+27 (0)34 271 8053