Overlooked by the Oscarberg mountain and the peak of Isandlwana, Fugitives’ Drift is a place within 5000 acres of game reserve in the heart of South Africa. Often teeming with wildlife, the heritage tourism pioneers David and Nicky Rattray have been championing the awareness that this is the place where the Anglo-Zulu War was fought. Leading a team of the finest guides in South Africa, the tours are emotionally charged journeys of discovery, reliving some of the most forgotten aspects of South Africa’s vivid past. The battlefields of Isandlwana and Rorke’s Drift are the high light of the tours with a vast collection of books, papers and artworks to pour over on return to the lodge to really ignite the imagination with David and Nicky as your guides. The Lodge at Fugitives’ Drift has become the luxury accommodation here, with spacious en-suite bedrooms that overlook the Buffalo River Gorge, where wildlife roam free. This is an alternative safari experience, it is a place to learn about the historical significance of the area. Food is served in the library, where the historical artifacts create the atmosphere that has been charming those guests coming to learn and discover.

Enjoying the landscape of three natural wonders, the Grootbas Private Nature Reserve sits between mountains, ocean and forests and is an eco-lodge that has been named one of National Geographics Unique Lodges of the World. A journey into discovering this southern-most point of South Africa, the biodiversity here is astounding. Settle into 2500 acres of untouched wilderness, take a walk and find over 100 endangered plant species, 800 place species with 6 of these newly discovered and spend time strolling through the areas three milkwood forests, whose 1000-year-old age has been a draw for guests for many years. The land and the sea are teaming with wildlife all year round, making it a place of remarkable natural wonder. The marine big five are waiting just below the waves and the twenty mammal species that call the nature reserve home are out there waiting to be seen. Accommodation is divided between the Forest Lodge, Garden Lodge and the Private Villas. We love the Garden Lodge, whose ‘garden of eden’ landscaping has been set amongst an ancient forest whilst overlooking the dramatic ocean-facing landscape. The Gardens provide extra seclusion for each suite, whose freestanding locations surround the lodge so that you can relax and unwind in total tranquility and peace.

Established in 1989, you would be mistaken for thinking that the Rovos Rail had been delivering the luxury train experience for over 100 years. Their journeys, service and décor are all reminiscent of the golden age of train travel, reincarnated for the modern traveller. With routes that vary from 48 hours to 15 days across South Africa, it is a unique and remarkable way to explore this eclectic destination. The landscapes that you witness from the comfort of your train carriage range from open African plains, soaring mountain ranges, vibrant vineyards and the dramatic coastlines. Aboard, the train’s dining cars, lounge car, smoking lounge, observation car with its open-air balcony are all paired with the three types of bedroom suites. The Pullman, Deluxe and Royal are intimate and comfortable places to spend the night as you speed along to the next destination on your adventure. Vast windows in the public areas mean that you wont miss the sublime views, and the sofas and booths will comfortably accommodate you as you sit, eat and drink your way through the country.