ACTIVITIES OFFERED AT ISANDLWANA LODGE 2012
(Prices are subject to change without prior notice)
BIRDING TOURS (Half Day)
R700.00 per person
Minimum 2 People
There are over 300 species of birds which may be seen in the region of Isandlwana during the year. In the immediate area of the Lodge, there are over 70 species
Walking tours are available and led by a knowledgeable guide.
Zululand, though stunningly beautiful, is rugged country and walking tours should only be undertaken by those who are fit and well shod. A good pair of binoculars and a South African bird book such as Newman’s or Roberts are essential.
HORSE TRAILS
Rides need to be booked when making reservations.
One of the great things about horse riding in Zululand is the magnificent scenery and the opportunity to ride as far as the eye can see without any fences.
Note: The Lodge does not own horses. They are supplied by a Horse Safari Organization; thus, ensuring the horses are fit and healthy.
Note: Guests should wear proper riding clothes.
All riders will be asked to sign an Indemnity Form
The rides offered are:
A. Local Farm Ride at Sunset
R1,000.00 per person, including transport.
This ride takes 2 l/2 to 3 hours and gives you the opportunity to enjoy spectacular scenery
as well as see small game and tremendous birdlife. You only need to be able riders to do this ride. Sundowners can be arranged. Booking in advance is advised in order to be sure there is availability.
B. Game Drive
Early morning R1.000.00 per person, including transport.
An early morning game safari is an experience never to be forgotten. Enjoy the ride as you encounter small game such as Impala or Rhebuck and have an opportunity to add some
of the area’s fantastic birds to your life list. Breakfast following the ride can be arranged.
The ride can be done by those who are able riders. Advanced notice of your interest in riding is advised to insure availability.
HIKING TRAILS:
Because of the rugged terrain, we do not recommend hiking trails for any but the physically fit guest.
A) Isandlwana Historic Reserve
R350.00 Per Person
Minimum: 2 People
You may walk through the Isandlwana Historic Reserve where you will see various birds and game such as Impala and Zebra. In certain parts, you may find cairns (piles of white stones) which mark mass graves of British soldiers who fought and died at Isandlwana.
It is necessary to have a guide with you and you would be well served to wear boots or sturdy walking shoes that offer support for your ankles.
B) Fugitive’s Trail Walk
R350.00 per person
Minimum: 2 People
This walk is approximately 3 hours and should be taken only by the physically fit.
It is a must for those really interested in the Battle of Isandlwana.
At times, in the summer months, one will have to swim the Buffalo River. Other times, it
is possible to skip across on the rocks.
CULTURAL TOURS OFFERED TO GUESTS OFISANDLWANA LODGE 2012
Pre-booking necessary at time of reservation.
ZULU VILLAGE SAFARI
Cost: R475.00
(2 to 3 hours in length, depending on client’s interests) for the group
A Zulu member of the Lodge staff who is a qualified and registered guide leads the tour. During which you will visit a family Ikhaya (home) where you will be greeted by members of the family and shown around their individual Izindlu (houses). The individual house is called “Indlu.”
If interested, you may also visit one of the local schools, see the students at work in their classrooms or performing song and dance routines that have been handed down to them by their
parents and grandparents. Each song or dance relates events of history a hunt or some event that was or is a part of the Zulu way of life.
Then, you will proceed on to a local Sangoma (diviner) who is trained in the art of, amongst other things, how to determine ailments. He or she will then send one on to an Inyanga (herbal doctor) who diagnoses and produces the medicine or cure. The Sangoma can also foresee or predict events.
The revenue generated from these Walks is given to village establishments who host our visitors and to pay the guide.
CULTURAL & PHOTOGRAPHIC TOUR (6 to 7 hours in length.)
R3000.00
Maximum 4 people
Our cultural and or photographic tours to Qhudeni are always taken by a qualified guide, and takes a full day. The tour departs from the Lodge at 10:00 A.M. and returns around 4 p.m. This tour goes into one of the most remote and scenic parts of Zululand.
A region of large mountains, huge ravines, rivers and natural forests. Qhudeni Mountain stands 6000 feet above sea level. Only recently have dirt roads been blazed into this region to allow taxis and other off-road automobiles access. One can encounter Zulu women and children who have had little or no contact with white people.
One always has to decide what to do and where to go as the tour progresses due to the condition of the dirt roads. For those keen on photography, this tour is an opportunity of a lifetime for capturing some spectacular scenery on film. The cultural events offered at Isandlwana village may be seen at Qhudeni, but in more natural environments due to the remoteness of the area.
MARIA RATCHITZ CHURCH AND ZULU EMBROIDERY CRAFTS TOUR
R2500.00
Maximum 4 people
The Maria Ratchitz tour takes the better part of a day. The church is an old, Catholic missionary church, which has been restored. The walls and ceilings have been painted by German artists and are adorned with magnificent frescoes depicting various stations of the Christian Church. Maria Ratchitz, a Bavarian born lady, donated thousands of Deutchmarks for the renovation of this church, a spectacular creation set in the middle of the African veld.
Enroute visit a farm near Elandslaagte where Zulu ladies embroider magnificent wall hangings and tablemats. Return to the lodge via Dundee and have lunch at a quaint restaurant at the Talana Museum..
TOUR OF eMAKHOSINI, THE VALLEY OF THE KINGS
R2500.00
Maximum 4 people
Including Picnic Lunch
The eMakhosini Valley is not only a place rich in history and of great natural beauty, but it is an area of great ecological diversity, ranging from highveld grassland to enormous valley and
bushveld. These habitats support a variety of wildlife such as mountain reedbuck, steenbuck, impala and the bald ibis have made their homes in the valley.
The conservation and sensitive development of the eMakhosini presents a rare window of opportunity to preserve a culture and history that has left an indelible mark on the world
stage. The conservation of ancestral burial places, battlefields and other sites of archaeological, historical and cultural significance are attracting people from around the world.
The Opathe Game Reserve is part of the eMakhosini Valley project and visitors may see black and white rhino, reedbuck, giraffe, kudu, bushbuck, impala, warthog and other
game. At present there are no lion or elephant in the reserve, but, hopefully, will be in the future.
Shaka was brought up in this valley – amaKhosi Zulu (Nkosinkulu), Phunga, Mageba, Ndaba, Jama, Shaka’s grandfather and his father, Senzangakhona, lie buried there. Piet Retief, the Trek leader, and his followers are buried at kwaMatiwane, the Hill of Execution in the eMakhosini Valley.
The trip takes a full day, leaving Isandlwana Lodge early in the morning and returning late afternoon.
NKANDLA FOREST AND MOME GEORGE
R2500.00
Maximum 4 people.
Including Picnic Lunch
A second day trip to the Nkandla Forest and Mome Gorge where King Cetswayo is buried
and the final battle of the Civil War took place in 1906 is a great tour to add to one’s
visit to The Valley of the Kings.
Combine this with a short birding experience in the Nkandla Forest and you will have
experienced two of the finest days of your life.
Pre-booking is required on both the above tours.
For reservations call +27(0) 34-271 8301/4/5
A top base for your African tours, walks and lectures, phone +27 (0)82 415 3679)
lodge@isandlwana.co.za
Isandlwana Lodge, P.O. Box 30, Isandlwana 3005, KwaZulu Natal, South Africa
Fax +27 34 271 8306; E-mail: info@isandlwana.co.za