TOP AFRICAN HOLIDAY TRAVEL LOCATION - THE ISANDLWANA LODGE STORY
Two American women, Maggie Bryant and Pat Stubbs who met by chance on an airplane in the fall of 1996, built Isandlwana Lodge, an architecturally and environmentally sensitive building, high on the iNyoni Rock just below where the Zulu commander stood during the Battle of Isandlwana on the 22nd of January 1879. Their common interest in Southern Africa was the springboard from which a partnership was formed that led them to the Heart of Zululand. They were later joined in the investment by a friend, Lt. Col. (Ret.) Howard N. Parks, also from the United States.
Maggie Bryant, former Chairperson of The Fish and Wildlife Foundation in The United States, has been involved in eco-tourism and conservation in several countries in Southern Africa and around the world. Mrs. Bryant is a resident of Middleburg, Virginia, who devotes most of her time to projects that preserve the environment and wildlife.
Pat Stubbs, retired from a business career that took her to many parts of the world, was looking for a challenge when she became intrigued by a story in an investment magazine in the U.S., which highlighted the opportunity of tourism investment in Southern Africa. Miss Stubbs’ permanent residence is in Mexico Beach, Florida, but she spends the majority of her time at the Lodge.
These two enterprising women visited Isandlwana together for the first time in December of 1997. Contacts with Amafa KwaZulu-Natal, the organization that manages the historical sites in KwaZulu Natal, brought them to Isandlwana to discuss a possible investment here. Some ten years before, Amafa and The Mangwe Buthanani Tribal Authority had identified the site. After discussing the possibilities with the Tribal Councillors, the group walked the site and a simple handshake with the Inkosi of the Tribe created a partnership that has brought jobs to the local community and will bring revenue to the Tribal Trust for use in building schools, clinics and enhancing the life of villagers.
The holiday Lodge was purposefully designed to look as though it grew out of the rock formations on which it is built. It is shield shaped, with a thatched roof and is made of rock from the area to resemble the native’s kraals. The slasto tiles used in the Lodge are from South Africa. Most of the furniture was made in Durban from indigenous woods. The columns that support the roof are from the old West Street Pier in Durban and each is named for a Zulu commander or significant person in the chain of command during the Anglo-Zulu War.
The view from the vacation Lodge of Isandlwana Mountain and the valley below is magnificent. Guests can sit on the upper veranda or on their private bedroom balcony and enjoy the tranquil setting. Watching the cattle go out to graze in the early morning and come home from all directions in the afternoon is an experience no longer found in many places in South Africa. Each sunrise and sunset offers a different vista and wonderful photographic opportunities. The villagers are warm and friendly people and welcome visitors into their homes or any social event being held here.
Guests holiday from Australia, Austria, Belgium,Canada. France, Germany, UK, Great Britain, Holland,Hong Kong, Hungary, Ireland, Jordan, NorwaySlovenia, Sweden, Switzerland and Thailand. The lodge has also been a popular vacation destination with visitors from the United States including former President Jimmy Carter and his family, since it was officially opened on 24 May 1999 by Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi, a direct descendant of King Shaka, and former Chairman of the House of Traditional Leaders in KwaZulu-Natal and Minister of Home Affairs for the National Government in South Africa. He is presently Chair of the Inkatha Freedom Party in South Africa.
Call +27(0) 34-271 8301/4/5
for a top African destination & hotel
accommodation (cell 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