The game viewing portion of this South Africa tour was over and it was time to load up the chartered planes for flights to Ulandi…View image… and Zulu country. The focus here would be learning about British-Zulu history, explore the battlefields and hear about the famous Zulu leader, Shaka Zulu who led his small clan during the early 19th century to become a huge force in southern Africa. It was difficult to leave our floating glass pavilion at Phinda Forest Lodge along with the wonderful staff, and I could have happily razed my existing house in the Chicago area and replaced it with this zen-looking one in its place. Ah me….

Babanango Valley Lodge is another deluxe lodge located in the Makhosini Valley. A revelation when we pulled up to this small, family run lodge and were escorted to one of the four en-suite bedrooms by Dr. John Turner and his wife Meryn. (Babanango Valley Lodge now has nine en-suite bedrooms.) This estate covers 8,000 acres and there is much more to do besides visiting the important Battlefield sites. Birdwatching, walking the trails or just relaxing around the swimming pool. Birders – more than 240 bird species have been recorded in this environment.

leaving Phinda Forest Lodge in South Africa 

checking in to Babanango Valley Lodge in Zulu country, South Africa
This wonderful lodge was very intimate and delicious gourmet meals were dished up. Breakfast served by the pool and dinner in the gorgeous dining room. With only four bedrooms at this time, our group filled Babanango Valley Lodge and it really did become our home away from home for two nights. John and Meryn can’t do enough for their guests and even though history isn’t a major interest in my life, Dr. Turner is an expert on Zulu history. Dr. Turner was going to escort the group tomorrow to the battle sites of Isandlwana and Rorkes Drift and impart some his considerable knowledge (I hoped) in a dramatic fashion.

breakfast al fresco at Babanango Valley Lodge in South Africa
But for the remainder of today, we just took it easy, enjoyed the vistas with more excellent South African wine in hand by the pool with the happy thought there would be no 4:30 a.m. wake up calls for a game drive tomorrow.
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