Travel Advice

Following David’s death and the international publicity generated as a result, we fully understand that some guests may be concerned about safety – both in terms of travelling to the Rorke’s Drift area and whilst staying here.

We can assure you (regardless of what you might read in the media) that such incidents are still very rare. Rorke's Drift is a very safe area, as is demonstrated by the shock generated by this incident, and we believe that the lodge is safer now than it has ever been and that visitors are at absolutely no risk whatsoever.

We have had almost no cancellations. In fact, if anything, we have had an increase in bookings, from people keen to carry on sharing David's work and hearing his story.

The community has rallied around to support the Rattray family and we can be sure that there will be no further such incidents - such is the level of outrage amongst the people of Rorke's Drift to the man whom they considered to be a father and a hero. Visitors pour in daily to present their respects, sing hymns and say prayers.

It is true to say that attacks on tourists are extremely rare and generally only occur on occasions when a tourist has unwisely entered an unsuitable area or acted against the advice of his/her host or hotel. Criminals know that an attack on a tourist will be dealt with far more severely by the courts in an attempt to safeguard this crucial industry, which has now overtaken gold as South Africa's largest foreign exchange earner and is a huge employment provider.

An article in The Sunday Times article mentioned the road from Greytown to Rorke's Drift, so allow us to reassure you on that too! It is a beautiful road through some of the finest scenery in the country. It is by no means essential for anyone to travel on that road - there being two other possible routes via Ladysmith and Dundee or via Babanango - but we have guests travelling it every day and Nicky Rattray's mother regularly travels it on her own!

One could avoid it if one were worried, but guests would be missing out on some fabulous country and a fascinating insight into the lifestyle of the rural Zulu people in the heart of their traditional kingdom. There are some social issues as it is a poor area, but a tourist is quite safe there. (It is often true to say that locals are the worst judges of security in their own area and this is nowhere more true than in sensationalist South Africa!)

We would really like you to come and stay with us and to listen to our lecturers and to share in the history that was so important to David. We are stepping up the content of the lectures to allow us all to learn from this tragic event, to heal the wounds and to promote reconciliation, just as it was promoted between Zulus and English-speaking people after the war in 1879. We undertake to provide even more stirring stories and fascinating lectures which will leave everyone feeling uplifted and positive about the past and the future of our country.

 
We hope that we can continue to rely on your support.