Fugitives’ Drift lodge in KwaZulu Natal closed in May this year, the first time in 28 years, to start eight weeks of renovations.

Five new guest rooms were built to replace the demolished rooms, and the annexe cottage and the original rooms were renovated to bring all rooms on the property to an identical standard – they have new bathrooms, air-conditioning, fridges, outside showers, wooden decks, and new furnishings.

The lodge has ten en-suite rooms and the Guest House has six en-suite rooms and two guide rooms.

Two bedrooms were demolished to make way for a new sitting room, dining room and large deck. The old dining room is now a dedicated museum. A new kitchen was also added.

Wooden walkways to the rooms and general areas complete the new look.

Activities include Battlefield tours, horse riding, game walks, bird watching, fishing in the Buffalo River and mountain biking on various signposted routes throughout the farm.

Other accommodation on the premises includes Umzinyathi self-catering farm house which has three en-suite rooms, with a sitting room, kitchen, dining room and covered verandah, while KwaGeorge offers one en-suite room in the garden of Umzinyathi, which can be booked as part of Umzinyathi or separately.