Fugitives’ Drift Lodge
Zululand, South Africa · Private reserve
How we rate
Explore Africa level, based on the typical lowest nightly rate per person sharing: Value under A$400, Mid-range A$400 to A$899, Luxury A$900 to A$1,799, Ultra-luxury A$1,800 or more.
Photo: Fugitives Drift Lodge · Source ↗
Full board (FB)
Breakfast, Lunch and 8 more
10 rooms
Luxury Lodge Room
All ages welcome
By air
via Dundee Airstrip
From about A$420
per person / night, sharing
Overview
About Fugitives’ Drift Lodge
Fugitives’ Drift Lodge is a Rattray-family retreat near Rorke’s Drift in KwaZulu-Natal, with ten rooms overlooking the plains beside the Buffalo River Gorge. Each room has air-conditioning, indoor and outdoor showers, and a veranda. Shared meals, a swimming pool, the Harford Library and a museum create space to unwind between excursions. The main draw is the guided history of Isandlwana and Rorke’s Drift, with battlefield tours charged separately. A guided walk to the graves of Melvill and Coghill is included, while nature walks introduce the reserve’s giraffe, zebra, antelope and birdlife.
“A rewarding base for travellers drawn to South African history, with detailed battlefield tours, a library and museum, and peaceful verandas between excursions.”
Best for
Known for
What you can expect to see
Anglo-Zulu War battlefield tours are the focus, with giraffe, zebra and more than 300 bird species in the private reserve.
Your stay
What's included
Board: Full board (FB)
Included
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Afternoon tea
- Dinner
- Teas and coffees
- Local drinks
- Guided walk to Melvill and Coghill graves
- Museum
- Dining room
- Wi-Fi
- Melvill and Coghill graves walk
Not included
- Concession fees
- Flights
The community and conservation levy is R250 per person per day in 2026 and 2027, or R110 for children under 12. Flights are not included.
Optional extras (at a cost)
- Laundry
- Transfers
Battlefield tours, guided nature walks, laundry, road transfers and child-minding cost extra. The guided walk to Melvill and Coghill’s graves is included.
Facilities
Comforts and facilities
At the property
- Swimming pool
- Library
- Children's programme
- Nanny service
- Deck
In your room
- En-suite bathroom
- Air-conditioning
Rooms
Where you sleep
- Luxury Lodge Room10 at the property · sleeps 2 adults and 1 child · En-suite bathroom, Indoor and outdoor showers, Air-conditioning, Mini-fridge, Veranda
Activities
Things to do
Getting there
How you'll arrive
- Dundee Airstrip
- Transfer
- Fugitives’ Drift Lodge
- How you arrive
- By air · via Dundee Airstrip
- Transfers
- Follow the property’s directions for the 36 km gravel-road approach. Private transfers are available, including from Dundee Airstrip; driving from Johannesburg Airport takes about five hours and from Durban Airport about four. Arrange gate access for arrivals after 18:00.
Good to know
Before you book
- Check-in
- From 12:00
- Check-out
- By 10:00
- Children
- All ages welcome
- Single travellers
- A single supplement applies
- Dietary needs
- Special diets catered for
- Malaria
- Malaria-free area
When to go
Best time to visit
- January: Good
- February: Good
- March: Dry season, best game viewing
- April: Dry season, best game viewing
- May: Dry season, best game viewing
- June: Dry season, best game viewing
- July: Dry season, best game viewing
- August: Dry season, best game viewing
- September: Dry season, best game viewing
- October: Dry season, best game viewing
- November: Dry season, best game viewing
- December: Good
- Dry season, best game viewing
- Good
How we judge each month
- Dry season, best game viewingAmong this property's strongest months for conditions, access and key experiences.
- GoodVery favourable conditions for this property and its key experiences.A generally good time to stay, with some normal seasonal compromises.
- Green seasonWorkable for specific priorities, with notable seasonal compromises.The property operates, but seasonal conditions bring substantial trade-offs.
Stayed here?Share your review
Helpful guides
Plan around this stay
South Africa's online traveller declaration: the 2026 change
What Australian travellers need to know about South Africa's online Customs declaration from 1 July 2026, including rail travel and the designated-transit-area exclusion.
South Africa: Big Five, Cape Town & the open road
Everything an Australian traveller needs for South Africa — visas, money, malaria, safety, the climate month by month, tipping and the experiences not to miss. Researched, cited and reviewed.
Nearby
Other stays nearby
Details checked November 2026. Rates and availability are confirmed when you enquire.