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The Battlefields of KwaZulu-Natal offer an incredible insight into the history of South Africa, and the best way to really appreciate this bloody and fiercely-fought history is to go on one of the mesmerising and theatrical tours of the key areas.
These are not your usual dry reports, of interest only to military historians - these are incredible stories of events that happened only 100 years ago and the impact they had on both those directly involved and the world at large. No matter how uninterested you think you are in history, these tours will captivate and move you.
Click here to book your accommodation in the Battlefields, or ask us to plan an itinerary for you including the Battlefields as part of your trip to South Africa.
Isandlwana
At Isandlwana a 20,000 strong Zulu army, armed only with spears and shields, attacked the heavily armoured but far smaller British Army contingent of 1,774 men on the morning of 22nd January 1879.
Despite many tales of individual heroics, only a handful of British soldiers escaped alive after a fierce 2 hour battle, and this massacre was the British Army's worst defeat in Africa.
The battle site itself is a eerie and haunting place, and both the Zulu and British view the events of that day as a tragedy.
Rorke's Drift
The Battle of Rorke’s Drift started immediately after the British Army had been defeated at the Battle of Isandlwana, and continued into 23rd January. It is the story of when some 150 soldiers defended a supply station against approximately 4,000 Zulu warriors. Over 11 Victoria Crosses were awarded.
To fully understand what happened at both these battles, we would strongly recommend that you go on one of the incredible daily tours given by one of the top historians who work in the area.
Spionkop
The focal point of the second major war between the British and Boers (now referred to as the South African war) was the 118-day siege of the British town of Ladysmith in Natal.
Whilst the story of the siege is fascinating in its own right, it is the events that occurred at Spionkop as the British tried to get support to Ladysmith that are really moving.
On 23 January 1900, 1,700 British troops (part of a British force of 24,000 heading for Ladysmith) took over this small hill, and were attacked the next day by 3,600 Boers.
Poor communication meant that the British force was not reinforced from the main party, and in the ensuing battle, many hundreds of British and Boer soldiers were killed and wounded.
By the middle of the following night, both sides believed they had lost and retreated, leaving the hill to the dead and the dying. Several hours later the Boers returned, and finding the hill deserted, reclaimed it.
The futility of war has never been so movingly illustrated, and to add to the sense of international significance Winston Churchill, Mahatma Ghandi, and Louis Botha (first President of the independent South Africa) where all present on the hill on that day. Had any one of them been killed, the 20th century would have been very different.
Blood River
In February 1838, the Boer trek leader, Piet Retief, met with Dingane, the Zulu chief, to agree to the purchase of a large tract of Zulu land for the establishment of an independent Boer nation.
Dingane agreed to the deal, however, after the signing of a title deed Dingane then ordered the slaughter of Retief and the party of men who accompanied him.
The battle of Blood River was the Boers revenge for this treachery. On 15 December 1838, led by Andries Pretorius, a 464 strong Boer army marched out, and made a D-shaped formation with 64 wagons at Ncome River and waited for the Zulus to attack.
The next morning, 10,000 Zulus had surrounded them, but were driven off by fierce gun fire and a mounted charge.
After 3 hours, the river ran red with the blood of 3,000 massacred Zulus. Only 3 Boers were wounded. Today, the 16 December is still commemorated, now as a Day of Reconciliation, and 64 bronze wagons mark the site of the battle.
Near the Boer monument a Zulu Monument and museum tell the story from a different perspective.
Special Offers
Fugitives' Drift Guest House: Stay 3 nights for the price of 2Valid for travel from 1 March 2012 to 31 December 2012
view all The Battlefields special offers
Suggested Holiday Itinerary
10 day itinerary.
Guide price valid for travel in August 2012
*Prices are per person and are based on today's exchange rates. Exchange rates are subject to change and are updated daily.
Prices exclude international flights - ask us if you would like to include these.
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Spionkop Lodge, Spionkop Nature Reserve
Lodge / Inn
The lodge itself is in the 108 year old former farmhouse, which has been wonderfully restored in park-like grounds to now house the reception lounge, the dining room, with spectacular views overlooking the Spionkop mountain, and the cosy Churchill pub. The accommodation consists of 8 comfortable en-suite bedrooms, as well as 2 fully equipped self-catering cottages, ideal for families or friends travelling together.
Fugitives' Drift Lodge, Isandlwana / Rorke's Drift
Lodge / Inn
The lodge is set in a nature reserve, and the 9 spacious en-suite luxury rooms all have their own private veranda. A separate cottage has 2 luxury en-suite twin rooms and a sitting room, which is ideal for families or friends travelling together.
Rorke's Drift Lodge, The Battlefields
Lodge / Inn
The main building also houses 2 of the rooms, Kune and Kutatu. These 2 rooms give guests instant access to all the lodge amenities while still having private entrances, affording guests the same privacy that the other rooms have.
Isibindi Zulu Lodge, Rorke's Drift
Safari Lodge
This 12 bed luxury lodge is a stone's throw away from the historically momentous Anglo-Zulu battlefields of Rorke's Drift and Isandlwana where Zulu and British clashed in a devastating battle which had enormous consequences for the Zulu people. Each hut is completely secluded and large French doors are the window to which you will waken, seeing the world as it was meant to be by the soft early morning light.
Fugitives' Drift Guest House, Isandlwana / Rorke's Drift
Lodge / Inn
Fugitives' Drift Guest House is set in a nature reserve, and offers 6 luxury twin en-suite rooms, all furnished to a high standard, and opening onto a wooden veranda with views over the reserve. The original farmhouse building has been converted into a charming sitting and dining room, where guests can relax after the day's tours.
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Contact Details
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