Day 6: Dundee to Fugitives Drift Lodge

This morning we visited the Talana Museum, just outside Dundee. The museum and surrounding grounds are situated at the base of the flat Talana mountain. A zulu name, meaning ‘the shelf where precious items are kept’. I incorrectly assumed that because the Battle of Talana took place there on 20 October 1899 the the museum was about the Anglo – Boer skirmishes in the area but it is a multi-faceted, educational experience. Opened in 1983, the museum is well respected for the quality and variety of displays, research and archival resources. The main building houses various rooms depicting interests in the area, such as coal mining, which was a thriving industry from early times.

 My favorite room was the glass room, where all types of beautiful bottles, bowls and other glass items were on display.  

The outer buildings housed historical displays ranging from the KoiSan to the battles of the area. They also have a graveyard of headstones that have been relocated from the old Talana Village. I know it is macabre but I love exploring old grave sites. Spending a morning there was not enough to take in all the history, you would need weeks. We were also treated to the sighting of a bald ibis in the gardens. 

The drive to Fugitives Drift Lodge was an easy 45 minutes along good tarred and gravel roads. The area is predominantly farm land, with cows grazing along the road. The grass has turned golden, a sign winter is well on its way.

The Lodge where we will be spending the next 2 days is located inside the Fugitives Drift Game Reserve. The terrain is dense bush and along the way in we saw giraffe and impala.

What a pleasure and privilege it is to be staying here, at Fugitives Drift Lodge, the Lodge that has been built and established by the Rattray family over the years.  Our room is situated in beautiful natural gardens and contains what must rate as the biggest bed I have ever slept in. The bathroom is the size of our bedroom.

 We met for lunch on the veranda of the building that houses the Harford library. Unlike most hotels and lodge, where guests pretty much keep to themselves, guests here are introduced to each other and lots of interesting conversations ensue over drinks. We are one of the few South African couples here. Lunch was as delicious as the view was spectacular, we were above tree height, looking down into the gorge of the Buffalo River. 

After lunch, we boarded an old Land Rover and drove to Rourke’s Drift, about a 15 minute drive. We spent the most, fascinating and interesting 3 hours listening to Doug Rattray regaling the story of the Battle of Rourke’s Drift. Even for those people not interested in history or battles, this is a Bucket list must.  Doug makes you feel as if you were there on 22 January 1879.  We stood at the sight and walked around the buildings of the battle as it unfolded on the day. The story continued till the sun had gone down and we travelled home in the dark. 

Guests then congregated around the boma fire for drinks. The G & T’s tasted really great after fighting battles all afternoon. Dinner was delicious.  Great day!!!