Fugitives Drift Lodge

We have travelled the world! We have stayed at some amazing places - and some not so amazing. I can honestly say that Fugitive's Drift Lodge is up there with the most perfect. I'm not sure I can think of anything to fault. We were due to arrive in time for lunch (FDL is all inclusive) but, due to road conditions we were delayed. I phoned and asked if they could possibly make a sandwich for us on our arrival. In fact, they had left lunch out and it was all delicious. All the staff were wonderful and seemed determined to make our stay totally special. The food was constantly absolutely fabulous. When we chose to go out for a day, they wanted to pack us up a lunch - but we were happy to eat at a local cafe. There was communal dining (for those who wanted) and we met many interesting people, at least one member of staff ate with us. Our bedroom was vast and absolutely beautiful. It had a stunning view and a very large balcony. When it became too hot to sit out - we opened the large picture window doors and sat indoors on the comfy seats with a breeze blowing in. It is located in its own game reserve. We went on battlefield 2 tours, arranged from the lodge: one to Rorke's Drift and the other to Isandlwana. Our guides were superb, telling the story and making the battles come alive. We were so sorry to leave. I'm not naming any of the staff - they were all fantastic and I don't want to accidentally miss anyone out.

Fugitives Drift Lodge is a remarkable place to stay. Its proximity to Fugitives Drift, Isandlwana and Rorke's Drift make it the perfect location for visiting the battlefields but it is so much more than a convenient hotel. The staff are incredible: friendly, helpful, irrepressibly cheerful and nothing is too much trouble. The rooms are large and comfortable with incredible views across the bush revealing many animals - no Big 5 but that isn't the attraction here. The food is awesome with the option of dining at a private table or with the other guests and owners. Definitely take the latter option: the owners, like the staff are wonderful people, full of knowledge, wit and enthusiasm and I defy you not to enjoy Doug's delightful humour. A small museum is fascinating and informative and whether you have a deep knowledge of the Zulu War and its most famous battles or just a passing interest the tours from the Lodge are truly awesome, the passion of the guides infectious.

We had a fantastic stay here. The battlefield tours were amazing. The guides were great and made it very real. We had a lovely room at the Lodge with fantastic views. We enjoyed the drinks and long dinner table and met lovely people. Not to forget the giraffes zebras and other wildlife. Thoroughly enjoyed it. Well worth the trip to get here.

The food is average, the accomodation acceptable - the overall experience - fantastic. One place that should be on every travellers itinerary if they are within 500 miles The guides etc are well practised and knowledgeable and bring the scenarios of the battles to life - forget Michael Cain !

This is a unique and very special place. The only reason to go there is to visit the famous battlefields of the 1879 Anglo Zulu war. And those stories are told in a moving and unforgettable way. But the place itself is also quite fabulous - with staff who care about what they are doing, set in a beautiful landscape. It’s on the way to just about nowhere but that shouldn’t put anyone off booking 3 nights here. When you are planning your grand tour of South Africa you won’t regret including a stay in the lodge.

We stayed here for 3nights and were upgraded to the Lodge fantastic!! Overlooking the Buffalo river and the mountainside involved in the fugitives trail Evening spent around Ann open fire and fantastic food eating with the other guests and staff on a long table for chats and stories Trips to the battlefields with Bryan and Doug were enthralling could not have been any better.These guys know their stuff Great food fabulous room staff so good can’t compliment them enough Thanks David&Karen

We could not recommend Fugitives Drift Lodge highly enough. We stayed in Umzinyathi Farmhouse which was gorgeous and of a bygone era in the best possible way. It felt comfy, cosy and traditional. The Farmhouse 'Host' - Margaret took such good care of us, from arrival through to departure without being at all intrusive. The Farmhouse is about a 5 minute drive from the Main Lodge. Our two wheeled car managed the terrain well, but a 4x4 might be more comfortable. We had all of our meals at the main lodge which worked out really well, however the Farmhouse does have a well equipped kitchen with self catering facilities, if you wished to look after yourselves. There is a beautiful terrace where the theme from the film Out of Africa is totally appropriate. Take a walk through the garden to a seated viewing area over the magnificent terrain - breathtaking. We would get to the Main Lodge in time for pre-dinner drinks and nibbles before sitting down at a large table to chat with other guests which was surprisingly pleasant. It was a 'big' birthday for my husband. The Lodge Team, headed up by 'Amazing and gorgeous Grace' made him feel special, including singing him Happy Birthday in isiZulu. There is a large family of Giraffe on hand to greet you as you arrive together with Kudu and an elusive female leopard and her family. The trips out to the Battlefields were conducted by Doug, the son of David and Nicky Rattray. His passionate approach to the tour brought everything to life and made it even more special. We cannot recommend The Farmhouse and the Lodge itself, highly enough. A wonderful and memorable stay. We hope to return.

What can we say other than that it was a real pleasure to stay here? From the moment we arrived with another couple, we felt as if we staying in someone's own home (which I guess it is really!). The welcome, the staff, the accommodation and the food were all fantastic. We would recommend a minimum three-night stay so that you can do all three tours, and enjoy the facilities, at a leisurely pace. We arrived early afternoon on the first day and only had two nights which meant we had to to the Isandlwana and Rorke's Drift tours on the same day (a lot to absorb!). We did the Melvill and Coghill walk/tour on the first afternoon. Both the guides (Bryan (Isandlwana) and Doug (Rorke's Drift)) were fantastic and thought-provoking. The informal gatherings before dinner were great as well as having members of staff sharing the diner table with us. I can't praise this place enough. One more thing: multiple giraffes as soon as we arrived!

We had an amazing stay at Fugitive's Drift Lodge when we visited South Africa in November. The tours of the Isandlwana Battlefield and Rorke's Drift (which the Lodge arranged as part of our stay) were very interesting. The guides were incredibly knowledgeable and so proud of their history. The staff at Drift's Lodge made us feel very welcome and were very hospitable. Grace lived up to her name of 'Amazing Grace' and we had a very memorable stay. An amazing place and thoroughly recommended.