Guided Battlefield Tours
BATTLE FIELD TOUR OPTIONS
***All tours include all accommodation and meals.
Rediscover the soils where blood was shed between the Zulu’s and Anglo soldiers in the 1800’s in the province of Kwa-Zulu Natal.
This can easily be an added on few days with trip to the game reserves or the Drakensburg Mountain Range.
Bloody Encounters Tour – 2 Days, 1 Night
Day One
Depart from Durban early in the morning and drive up through the magnificent scenery of Tugela Ferry, passing through villages throbbing with life and local colour. This is the route followed by the British column en route for Rorke’s Drift, prior to the invasion of Zululand in 1879. At Rorke’s Drift, relive the defense of that small out- post by a handful of red-coated soldiers against several thousand Zulu warriors. After lunch, drive on to Isandlwana where, once again, British and Zulu clashed, this time to the detriment of the British.
From there continue to your accommodation for the night.
Day Two
Today you explore the event surrounding the siege of Ladysmith during the Anglo-Boer War of 1899 - 1902. Drive up onto the plateau known locally as Platrand for a panoramic view of the town of Ladysmith and an overview of the lead up to the war. From there continue to the Spioenkop battlefield, that blood soaked acre, where the British made a second attempt to break through the Boer lines to reach Ladysmith. Lunch today is a picnic on the summit of Spioenkop. En route back to Durban, you will stop at the site of the capture of Winston Churchill, time permitting.
Price:
From around £1262 for two people sharing.
Please note this is just an indication of price as it varies due to exchange rate fluctuations and seasons.
Anglo – Zulu War Tour – 4 Days, 3 Nights
Day 1
Leave Durban after an early breakfast and drive north to Rorke's Drift, following the old wagon track along which the central column of the British army would have marched in 1879. Stop at Greytown for a cup of coffee before continuing to Rorke's Drift. Lunch and then an account of the stirring defense of the military depot, where 11 Victoria Crosses were awarded to members of the British forces for conspicuous bravery. Overnight on the edge of the battlefield of Isandlwana.
Day 2
Today we cover the battle of Isandlwana as we stand surrounded by the graves of the hundreds of men who lost their lives here. Although a Zulu victory, this battle, it cost the Zulu nation dearly, as members of the 1st 24th fought back to back until the bitter end. From there it's on to Fugitives' Drift, were a number of men managed to cross back into colonial Natal. Here we visit the graves of the two men whose names are so closely linked with the Queen's Colour of the 1st 24th. Lunch at Fugitives' Drift Lodge before driving on to Vryheid where we spend the night.
Day 3
We follow the fortunes of the fourth column of the British army as it engages the abaQulusi, allies of the Zulu, at Hlobane. This necessitates a rugged drive up onto the plateau of Hlobane and a picnic lunch as we sit on the rocks at the top of the infamous Devil's Pass, were Major Buller’s gallantry earned him a Victoria Cross. From Hlobane we proceed to Kambula, the battle that was in reality the turning point of the Anglo-Zulu War and broke the Zulu army. We return to our lodgings of the night before.
Day 4
We return to Durban, taking in en route either the site of the death of Louis Napoleon, Prince Imperial or Ulundi, site of the final battle of the Anglo-Zulu War. Each site poignant in its own way.
Price:
From around £2446 per two people sharing.
Please note this is just an indication of price as it varies due to exchange rate fluctuations and seasons.