Visit to the Historical Battlefields of KwaZulu-Natal
On this Day Tour we focus on the famous battle sites of Isandlwana and Rorke’s Drift (1879).
Many famous battles were fought on the vast fields of KwaZulu-Natal. The history of these battles will be answered on this tour. Along the way we pass through other important sites and the ongoing commentary will give you a good overall history of what happened in these Anglo Boer, Anglo Zulu Wars.
The land of King Shaka!
Born the illegitimate son of a king Shaka became a military expert as a very young man. He was ruthless, feared by all and with a big chip on his shoulder he became king at the age of 16. He soon founded the Zulu nation incorporating tribe after tribe through force, while employing the skills of his warriors.
A warrior nation!
Murdered by a brother in 1828!
What a story!
The Battle of Isandlwana
The raging battle at Isandlwana (1879) was fought in extreme conditions when the Zulu claimed a famous victory. Never had the British suffered such an embarrassing defeat in all their battles around the world. On this Battlefields of KwaZulu-Natal tour we walk those fields, which are really graveyards with cairns everywhere. Quiet and still, peaceful but eerie. From the vantage point of a hill nearby we are able to sit and gaze out in wonder and ponder the military genius of the Zulu army which was so efficient in victory.
The Battle of Rorke’s Drift
From Isandlwana we continue on to Rorke’s Drift where, on that very same day a party of some 3000/4000 Zulu’s broke away, anxious at being given an opportunity to”wash their spears” in the blood of the British. They defied the king’s orders and stormed over the Buffalo river into Natal to attack the small base at Rorke’s Drift, which was essentially a hospital.
How did those 139 brave souls at Rorke’s Drift manage to stay off that mad crowd of Zulus all night? Against all odds, they did. You will have plenty of time to step back into history, learn about this battle and have a look at its museum. Eleven Victoria Crosses were awarded to British soldiers who fought here, the most ever awarded in a single battle.
For this one day tour we depart at 06h00 and enjoy breakfast on the way with a tea/coffee break. We return home some 13 hours later – a long but thoroughly enjoyable day out.
Fancy turning this into a two day tour and visiting other battle sites? This can be easily arranged as there are many very comfortable establishments in the area at which to overnight.
Interested?
Iain Schouten
Tel: +27 31 716 8232
Cell: +27 79 649 3690
…or contact me now through the Contact Page.