Rates At The New Hotel At Rorkes Drift.

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Photo's by David Payne.

Rorke’s Drift Hotel (Pty) Ltd
4a Hunter Road
Ladysmith 3370
Tel & Fax 036 631 4191
Email: [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]
Directors: C D Aikenhead (British)
Rorke’s Drift Hotel Pty Ltd, PO Box 491, Ladysmith 3370, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
Registered no: 2007/035824/07 VAT No: 4750244040
Outline rates for Accommodation and Excursions - Rorke’s Drift Hotel
1 November 2010 to 30 October 2011
Minimum stay two nights.
1.
Room Rate per person; half board - dinner, bed & breakfast
R750pp
Single occupancy dinner, bed & breakfast (all rooms)
R1000pp
Premium Room view
R800pp*
Discount for side view
R700pp*
Lunch - buffet selection with tea or coffee
R100pp
*for groups the allocation of rooms will be by ballot draw on arrival unless otherwise
organised by the courier
Third and subsequent nights at 25% reduction
Tour Operator rates on application - for services above. Rates below are not
discountable.
2.
Battlefield excursions
a) self-guided:-
from R 140pp
Entry to Isandlwana Battlefield and lunch at Hotel; entry to Rorke’s Drift
Battlefield and museum (over one or two days)
b) join guided party (runs most days) with accredited guide; both battles with
entry fees and lunch at the Hotel (over one or two days)
from R500 pp
c) Field guide; per party of up to 6 pax (transport excluded)
R300
d) History guide per party of up to 6 (transport included)
R1500
plus tour of traditional grass-hut zulu village with zulu dancing and zulu beer
R50pp
3.
Excursions:- field guide to local destinations of cave paintings,
Graves, accompaniment on walks, rides etc (1-6 people) per half day
R250
Inquiries to [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.] or call (UK) 01787 376337 or (SA) 034 642 1213
06 August 2010

RORKE’S DRIFT HOTEL


Nestling beside the Buffalo River in the rolling hills of Zululand and overlooking the historic crossing will stand the new Rorke’s Drift Hotel. Priced to meet the needs of the discerning traveller the location will offer peaceful relaxation, hotel amenities with pool, an activity programme that can include guided visits to the historic sites and a selection of walking, riding and mountain bike trails. The river offers fishing and kayaking; rafting also available locally. Many destinations of interest are within an hour of this comfortable base.

RDH offers a Zululand experience for all, and with the fascination of the famous battles that were fought in the vicinity in 1879.


On arrival, guests will see the sweep of the six round buildings that provide all the facilities for the hotel. The round style of the buildings with their thatched roofs draw from the Zulu tradition with finishes coloured as natural materials. The unique roof design of a ‘Do-Nut’ provides spacious rooms in all the buildings. Each accommodation ‘fort’ will have an open centre which is entered to access each of the seven double ensuite rooms. Here the traditional Zulu style is left on the outside while the décor and finishes in the centre will be in the Victorian idiom. The furnishings of the generous accommodation will reflect the era of the Victorian soldier with each room are named after a distinguished warrior of the campaign.


The larger circular central building welcomes the visitor who will enter up the broad sweep to Reception and the open plan layout leading to dining area, conference or private dining room and ‘Kwa Jim’ – the James Rorke bar. The visitor will have panoramic views across the Buffalo River with the actual Drift just below in the river bank; towards the hills of Zululand; of the Shiyane mountain (the Oscarberg) and towards the dark shadow of Isandlwana Mountain. The views may be best enjoyed from the open deck.


Data
The Hotel will accommodate up to 60 guests in ensuite double and some family rooms with a single guest rate for dinner, bed and breakfast of R750. STO rates on application. Phase 1 for 30 guests will be opening in November 2010. A welcoming conference facility.


Visitors
The concept of the hotel is aimed at the visitor who wishes to experience the range of countryside and cultures in KwaZulu-Natal by offering comfortable ensuite accommodation with fully serviced facilities. This can be a touring base or a peaceful retreat with all the rural interests for the active and plenty of intellectual interest in the historical events that happened within an hour’s drive. Zulu fighting Brit fighting Boer and all the combinations of the three provide locations of destiny that shaped history in the 19th C.

Small parties can use local guides and hotel transport.

History connections:
What single action of the British Army has the highest number of Victoria Crosses? & how many?

Where did the British Commander in Chief stay before invading Zululand in 1879?

Which Zulu victory over the British is visible from Rorkes Drift?

Who led the Zulu attack on the Mission Station at Rorke’s Drift?


Environment and Conservation
The development of the hotel will make use of the latest technology to minimise use of energy and resources. The guests’ contribution will be that the modern ensuite facilities will include a walk-in shower rather than a bath.



Security the site will be fenced and there will be 24-hour security cover. Each building will also be secure.

hi pete .
OK then , who is going to be the first from the forum to book in ?.
cheers 90th.

Is the rates reasonable. I don't do currency. You couldn't get much closer to the river. Lets hope we get some more photo's of the hotel when its finshed.

Its going to be very intersting to see how it does, at the moment most of the well Hotels/lodges in the area are rarely full, often near empty, over the Jan 22nd period Isandlwana lodge had three guests!

I have visited the area every year for the past nine, and have rarely had difficulty booking, except on anniversary years.

The rates are competetive locally, the rand is apporx £1= R12 variable, at R750 it's half of Fugitives and Isandlwana lodge, I do not know Rorkes Drift Lodges rates. casting the net further afield The Battlefields lodge on the Dundee Vryheid road is competetive, albeit 30 mins from the main battlefields

It might find a niche amongst the tourist busses which visit the area now, the mail on Sunday run regular cross-south africa mixed itinerarys run thorugh Rivera travel in Burton, but I do not think they stop overnight, maybe Dundee or Ladysmith.

I agree with Neil, Ive never had trouble finding a room. I wouldnt invest in its future.

I know this was topic was started back September. But came across this link. [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.] Their website...

Hi,
Just got back from a ten night stay at the new hotel. Charles Aikenhead, and his lovely wife Mary, are doing a fine job with the project. Although not fully completed yet, that won't be till another year or so, when they will have another three fort's built, but still, worth a visit if travelling around Zululand. Highly recommended!!!
Cheers.

Hi Warrior3

Welcome back, hope you had a good trip

I hope you have some photo's of your stay at the new hotel. Good to see you back safe and well.

Hi Warrior3
hoping to get out there myself in the next few years.
How close to the old hospital is the hotel?
Do they do guided treks to isandlwana?
I'd love to walk the same route that the central column took, and that the fugitives returned by.
If you recommend it, pls could you post/send me the link to the hotel?
Cheers
Tasker

"pls could you post/send me the link to the hotel?"

Tasker. click on link below.
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"OK then , who is going to be the first from the forum to book in ?.
cheers 90th"

I bet its warrior3

Hi Tasker,
The Hotel is a five minute walk to the Rorke's Drift Battlefield. It blends in very nicely with the surrounding countryside. Unfortunately my guide was completely useless in the knowledge of the Zulu War! I will be taking this matter further, but that didn't spoil my trip. The walk down the Nostrope pass is superb and should be done. [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]
Cheers

Hi ctsg.

:lol!: :lol!: :lol!: .
cheers 90th.

Myself and Colin Feilding dropped in for a beer in March, just before they opened fully. I was impressed, and Zane the manager was very proud (and quite rightly) to show us around. The rate card was showing about R695 per night, which is about £57 and very reasonable given its locality and nearby rates at FDL and Isandlwana Lodge, but both offer good deals during our summer, and it could be argued that South African winter time offer the best chances for spotting game, and lack of vegetation when visiting the battlefields, but it can get cool.

IF, and thats the big IF, the tourist buses which call, almost on a daily basis stop over for lunches etc it should do well, as there is precious little for 30 miles. Zanes Ideas for the Hotel is very forward thinking, offering various activities, which will please the "not so interested" in the battlefields and offer a bit more to do, I must say I went with a rather negative attitude, thinks," here we go again", but I must say I was very surprised.

Didn't anyone take any photo's of the Hotel as it is now.

thanks both, that is very handy. i certainly will consider the hotel.
i am not really bothered about a guide being with me, i would just need a route map/trail, but i understand a guide is strongly recommended from a safety point of view.

Received this reply from Charles Aikenhead. If you have a questions Charles will be more than happy to answer,as long as they are related to the Hotel. Click on link below. Great website.

Hello Peter
You are welcome to use any pictures on the website per details below
If you wish for something specific then please let me know

Regards

Charles Aikenhead
Rorke's Drift Hotel
PO Box 539 Dundee 3000
KwaZulu-Natal

0027 34 642 1760 cell 074 259 2663
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28deg 20'.58S 30deg 32'.38E

I take it, is near the spot where John Chard was sent to build his bridge. I don't suppose an arial shot is available yet on google to show the distance between the hotel and RD battle site.

Mr G
Was Chard sent to build a bridge? I know Stanley Baker was but I thought Chard was there to construct the ponts.
The Hotel is some distance from the site of the ponts.

Regards

The position of the pont's are about a fiveish minute walk upstream from the hotel.

Quote :

Mr G. Was Chard sent to build a bridge? I know Stanley Baker was but I thought Chard was there to construct the ponts.

"Ponts"
pontoon bridge or floating bridge is a bridge that floats on water.
So it is a Bridge. Which was Chards responsibility.

The Isandlwana Lodge is the best place to stay , it's built into the hill where the Zulu right horn descended, the view is awsome of the actual battlefield, the resident historian is Robert Gerrard (ex Gordon Highlander ) and descendent of the first Prime Minister of the Cape. Gourmet food , 5 star rating, just pure breathatking. I was lucky enough to witness a fantastic nightime lightning show when I stayed there which made the scenery even more earier . As I sat there on the baclony savouring a malt , I decided I had to come back here. I emigrated to SA within 2 years and love it !

Rockape thank's for the up-date on the hotel and welcome to the forum.

Can I assume your an ex-serviceman, RAF Regiment.

Thanks for the welcome , 100% correct , I also had the pleasure of serving in the 4th Btn Royal Green Jackets for a shorter period of time .
Excellent forum you have here , Look forward to being part of it.

Rockape. Thanks for kind comments.

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