African Reservations

Rorke’s Drift, famous, infamous but delightful is an experience not to be missed. Located on the battlefields of kwaZulu-Natal, South Africa this little hamlet has seen some of the most significant moments in South Africa’s history. The Battle of Rorke’s Drift in 1879 was a part of the Anglo-Zulu war that saw the first defeat of the British Forces by an imposing Zulu Impi in the morning at Isandlwana and a complete turnaround in the evening of the same day at Rorke’s Drift. Also during this time the French Prince Imperial died in a skirmish and ended the Bonaparte dynasty. Today it is marked by a single cenotaph in a lonely field. At Fugitive’s Drift is another lone cenotaph raised to the honour of two men whose sole purpose was to preserve the Queen’s Colours and whose bravery was acknowledged by the award of a Victoria Cross. A stone’s throw away and a few years later the Anglo Boer War raged with many Boer battles being won and lost.

Amongst them was the Battle of Talana, the Battle of Elandslaagte and the Battle of Spionkop. Boer history is cemented in the Battle of Blood River and the site of this Boer Zulu conflict lies only kilometres from Rorke’s Drift. In more modern times the site of Rorke’s Drift has become the home to the ELC Art and Craft Centre where during the deep, dark days of apartheid black art students came to study and the legacy now is a carpet weaving factory, pottery and printing works where the emphasis is on ART. Intersperse this with the rolling plains of Africa where the Paperbark tree, animals and birds abound and the Southern Cross and Milky Way shine down and you have the recipe for an experience that will live with you forever. For a superior travel experience and accommodation you simply must visit Rorke’s Drift and Rorke’s Drift Lodge.