Average rating South African Battlefield Tour

Detailed description

South Africa's history is well, complicated, featuring, among others, the Dutch, British, French, German, Zulu and Khoikhoi people. Much of this history can be re-visited in the province of KwaZulu-Natal, which hugs South Africa's northeast coast. Even the province's name depicts the diversity of the area, as it is a combination of the monikers given to it by both the Portuguese and the Zulu nation, who still inhabit the area. The province itself, situated in the north east of South Africa, is also geographically diverse, with the Indian Ocean to the East, the imposing Drakensberg Mountains to the west, and shares borders with three other African countries; Mozambique, Lesotho and Swaziland.

The five day, four night battlefield tour starts in Durban and follows the route the British troops took during the bloody Anglo Zulu war of 1879. Knowledgeable guides will explain this complicated war on the actual battlefields in the towns of Eshowe and Melmoth and walk you through the famous skirmishes of Isandlwana and Rorkes Drift. From there you will learn about the Boer War and visit the city of Ladysmith where British troops were surrounded by the Boer army for an incredible 118 days. Next the Drakensberg Mountains, Tugela River and Spioenkop Mountain serve as the backdrop for more British-Boer battlefields. You will also be brought to where a young reporter named Winston Churchill was captured and briefly taken prisoner. The tour ends with a trip to Spioenkop Game Park, where you may run into zebra, antelope, giraffe, rhino and over 270 species of birds. By the time they take you back to Durban not only will you have seen South Africa's natural beauty, you'll also understand how the modern country came to be.

Accommodation & food

This tour is all-inclusive and all accommodation is in local lodges with great natural surroundings. The Isandlwana Lodge has just 12 rooms and is carved into the iNyoni rock formation - the only hill in the area for miles and also the site of the Isandlwana battle on January 22nd 1879. The rooms are all decorated in a mixture of modern and traditional styles and there is also a communal lounge and a pool to relax in. The other lodge is the Three Tree Hill Lodge is located in the Drakensberg mountains and overlooks a secluded valley of the Spioenkop Game Reserve. The 6 bedrooms and family suite are all beautifully furnished and there is a lounge, verandah and pool for you to enjoy after a day out.

Food at both of the lodges is cooked by specialist chefs serving up local specialities.

Is it for me?

If your only aim when you visit South Africa is to see lots of elephants, than this tour probably is not for you. The tour is best suited to history buffs and those who love the outdoors. Though there is no strenuous hiking or even camping, a lot of the tour is spent outside on the battlefields. At least a bit of an interest in the origins of modern South Africa, British history or colonial wars would be best, but past participants have said that the guides are so talented in their storytelling that anyone is bound to get sucked into the fascinating war stories. If you would like to get a better picture of how South Africa's complicated society evolved, or if you'd just like something a bit different than the usual safari, then this is the tour for you.

Itinerary & things to do

Day One: You will be driven by your expert guide up the north coast of KwaZulu-Natal, on the same route as the British troops during the Anglo Zulu war. Drinks will be served on the bank of the Tugela River while the guide explains the conflict between the British, Zulu and the Boers and will illustrate how that informs present-day South Africa. The guide will drive you to the towns of Eshowe and Melmoth, over the breathtaking Nqutu plateau and later onto the accommodation, which also has spectacular views.

Day Two: In the morning your guide will explain the important battles of Isandlwana and also Rorkes Drift, which was chronicled in the 1964 Michael Caine film "Zulu". Accounts of the battles will be told to you whilst sitting on the cliffs above the Buffalo River. Your accommodation will be the same as day one.

Day Three: Your guide will drive north and begin to explain the Boer War, which took place 20 years after the Anglo Zulu War. The first stop is the town of Talana, to visit an Anglo Zulu War museum. Then it is on to the city of Ladysmith, which was under siege for 118 days. In Ladysmith your guide will direct you to a delicious lunch, a visit to a local museum and also lead you on a climb up a hill overlooking the city, where your guide will again bring the battle to life with historically accurate war anecdotes. The day three accommodation is another lodge with beautiful views and a tasty dinner.

Day Four: The tour will reach the Drakensberg Mountains and the Tugela River, scene of four bloody battles of the Boer War. You will also get a chance to visit the site where Winston Churchill was briefly captured. Afterwards you will travel by car to the summit of Spiokenkop Mountain, an actual battlefield and perhaps one of the most unique in the world. Your guide will recount the bloody battle where many British soldiers lost their lives. You will be staying in the same lodge as the night before.

Day Five: The last day is for the animal lovers as you will drive through the Spioenkop Game Park. The park is home to: giraffe, rhino, antelope and hundreds of species of birds. Afterwards your guide will take the scenic route back to Durban with a few interesting stops along the way.