Babanango Valley Lodge

Babanango Valley Lodge

Price Range: Mid Range Accommodation

Rating: 4 Star Accommodation

Accommodation Type: Guest House

Location: Babanango Valley, Zululand, South Africa

Babanango Valley Lodge

Babanango Valley Lodge is set in a 10,000 acre Natural Heritage Site in one of the loveliest valleys in Zululand

Location
Babanango Valley Lodge, in the Natal Battlefields area, is set in a 10,000 acre Natural Heritage Site in one of the loveliest valleys in Zululand with magnificent valley views.

The lodge
Attentive personal service combined with luxury and charm epitomise Babanango Valley Lodge. Owners John and Meryn Turner ensure a home from home experience whilst retaining the elegant appeal you would expect of a small gracious country lodge. Breakfast is served on the patio with stunning views across the valley.

Rooms
The nine bedrooms all en suite, are tastefully appointed anticipating guests every need. Each room is tastefully decorated with beautiful cottage furniture.

Self Catering Cottage

A fully equipped little cottage with 3 beautifully decorated twin bedrooms, 1 and a half bathrooms, a lounge with charming fire place and kitchen.  The cottage is fully furnished and also has a barbeque area with a magnificent view down the valley.

Facilities and activities
John Turner, (who has a doctorate in ecology and a passion for Zulu history), and his well-trained team conduct Battlefield tours, which really bring history alive. Guided tours include the Battlefields of Isandlwana, Rorke’s Drift, Blood River and the Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Game Reserve. Other activities include 130km of well-marked walking trails, complete with handbook, a community-based Zulu Heritage Village on the reserve, 4x4 nature drives and superb bird watching. Children love Babanango with obstacle courses, trampoline and swimming pool. They're accommodated with one or two extra beds in the bedroom.

Babanango Valley Lodge offers 4 tours which reflect the spirit and diversity of the region:

Tour A: "Isandlwana & Rorke’s Drift - epic Battles of the Zulu War"

From Babanango Valley follow the line of advance of the Zulus towards Isandlwana, with a lecture on the background and build up to the Zulu War at a view site providing uninterrupted vista’s of the surrounding countryside. On the heights overlooking Isandlwana, stop to take in a Zulu perspective on the Battlefield before a short stop at the small visitor centre. On the Isandlwana Battlefield, the dramatic story will be unveiled of how the Zulus inflicted on the British the greatest defeat they were to ever suffer in the history of their colonial warfare. From here move to Rorke’s Drift for a picnic lunch under the shade of the Acacia trees. At Rorke’s Drift walk around the Battlefield where you are described exactly where the events and incidents of that incredible British defense took place: a force of 152 British fended off an attack of about 4000 Zulus, afterwards recognised by the award of 11 Victoria Crosses - the most ever awarded in a single action in the history of the British army. A visit to the excellent site museum at Rorke’s Drift will round off the day.

Duration: 7-8 hours. Distance: ±180 km.

Tour B: "The Land of the Zulu Kings"

Drive through the emaKhosini - the Valley of the Kings - to the new "Spirit of emaKhosini" memorial on iKhomba Hill, with its wonderful views, to hear about the early Zulu history and the rise of the Zulu nation. The next stop will be the Ulundi Battlefield, where the final battle of the Anglo-Zulu War of 1879 took place. From here proceed to the nearby KwaZulu Cultural Museum where the museum and the partially reconstructed Ondini homestead of King Cetchwayo will be visited, touching on some of the customs and culture of the Zulu people. A picnic lunch will be enjoyed in the vicinity of Umgungunhlovu, royal homestead of King Dingane. The rest of the afternoon will be spent visiting the partially reconstructed Umgungunhlovu and KwaMatiwane, his hill of execution, where you will be regaled with the story of King Dingane and his confrontations with the Boers and the events leading to the massacre of the Boer leader, Piet Retief.

Duration: 7-8 hours. Distance: ±180 km.

Tour C: "Zululand Wildlife Encounter: Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Game Reserve"

After breakfast depart for the Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Game Reserve, Africa’s oldest proclaimed reserve, driving through rural Zululand. Arrive at about 10 o’ clock and spend the rest of the day game viewing in what must be undoubtedly one of southern Africa’s most beautiful Game Reserves, with a break for a picnic lunch. It is a "Big 5" reserve, most famous for its Black and White Rhino, with excellent game viewing combined with a prolific bird life.

Duration: 9-10 hours. Distance: ±260 km.

Tour D: Prince Imperial and Blood River

Visit the remote and windswept plain and site where Prince Louis Napoleon, pretender to the French throne was killed at the tender age of 23 years - a remarkable and moving story. From there drive to Blood River battlefield, where on 16th December 1838 a boer force of 464 men defeated the might of the Zulu Army. After a picnic lunch, we recount the events of the battle and visit the striking reconstruction of the Boer laager, comprising 64 bronze wagons, situated on the actual site of the battle.

Duration: 7-8 hours. Distance: ±200 km

Please note that this lodge is currently closed until further notice for renovations! Expect more and better when it reopens!