Africa

Latin America

India



01582 766122
Search for your perfect holiday: 
2by2 for holidays that will change your life
2by2 for holidays that will change your life
Call 01582 766122
Holidays to Cape Town Tours Safaris in South Africa Stellenbosch Hermanus

South Africa: Zulu Battlefields (Rorkes Drift & Isandlwana) + Boer War (Spion Kop)

Zulu & Boer Battlefields + Nambiti Safari + Cape Town
South Africa Zulu Battlefields Rorkes Drift Isandlwana Boer War Spion Kop
14 NIGHTS FROM:
$4,184
Per person sharing
Scheduled flights quoted separately
SRF14D
• Zulu Battlefields
• Valley of the Kings
• Blood River
• Isandlwana Tour
• Rorkes Drift Tour
• Boer War Battlefields
• Colenso, Ladysmith & Frere
• Spion Kop Tour
• Big Five Safari
• South Africa

Explore the battlefields in depth on this privately guided South Africa tour, visiting the famous Zulu Battlefields at Rorkes Drift & Isandlwana with your own expert battlefields guide. Visit the Valley of the Kings & Blood River, as well as important Boer War sites at Spion Kop, Frere, Colenso & Ladysmith. Also enjoy a thrilling Big Five safari at Nambiti. This holiday can be tailor made to your exact requirements.

Day 1
You will be met at Durban Airport and transferred to your hotel on the warm North Coast, renowned for its wonderful beaches and warm holiday weather.
  
Check in and relax on the shores of the warm Indian Ocean.
Day 2
Today you will be transferred through rural Zululand to the remote battlefields at Isandlwana, a scenic 5-hour drive.
 
Check in to your lodge and enjoy dinner, whilst absorbing some of the fascinating history of this great conflict between Britain and the proud Zulu Kingdom.
Day 3
This morning join a full day tour arranged by your lodge to the poignant Zulu Battlefields.
 
Your guide will recount the events leading up to the fateful battle of Isandlwana, where in 1879 the mighty British army suffered one of the most humiliating defeats in its history following the controversial invasion of Zululand. See for yourself the events portrayed so passionately in the film Zulu Dawn, as the regiment was wiped out almost to a man by 20,000 Zulu warriors.
 
After returning to your lodge for lunch, in the afternoon we visit the famous mission station at Rorkes Drift where later that day a handful of British soldiers (outnumbered 30-to-1) fought off over 4,000 Zulu warriors for almost 12 hours. This battle - unforgettably brought to life by Michael Caine in the film Zulu -  saw 11 Victoria Crosses awarded, which is more than in any other engagement in the history of the British Empire.
 
Recommended Reading:
The Day of the Dead Moon - David Rattray
Brave Men’s Blood – Ian Knight
Day 4
Today take a tour to the remote battlefield at Blood River, where on 16 December 1838 the Afrikaaner Boer Voortrekkers won an historic battle over 10,000 Zulu warriors on the banks of the Ncome River, as they fought for the right to establish a homeland south of the Thukela River.
 
The fighting was so fierce, and the loss of life so great, that the waters of the river flowed red. This day is still celebrated as a bank holiday - but is now called the Day of Reconciliation.
 
After leaving Blood River, travel to the banks of the Itshotshozi River, where the Napoleonic dynasty came to an end when the Price Imperial, Louis Napoleon, was killed by the Zulus on 1 June 1879.
Day 5
Today transfer 3-hour through rural Zululand to the malaria-free Nambiti Game Reserve.
 
On arrival check in to your Big Five safari lodge and enjoy a thrilling afternoon open-top game drive with a lodge ranger.
Days 6 To 7
Rise early when game viewing conditions are at their best, for a shared open-top game drive with a lodge ranger in Nambiti Game Reserve.
 
With a mixed vegetation of savanna grasslands, indigenous trees and bushveld, this wildlife conservation area is home to all the Big Five, as well as offering an ideal habitat for a large variety of plains game and abundant bird life. Although leopard are rarely seen, this reserve offers excellent opportunities to spot the endangered cheetah. Return to the lodge for lunch and some relaxation, before returning to the bushveld in the late afternoon for another exciting game drive.
 
Note: Children < 2 years are not allowed on open top game drives, with higher age limits applicable at certain lodges.
Day 8
After a final early morning safari in Nambiti Game Reserve, transfer 1-hour to the South African War Battlefields in the beautiful Natal Midlands.
 
The Anglo Boer War of 1899 started shortly after the conquest of Zululand, as the British Empire turned its attentions to the lucrative Transvaal goldfields.
 
Travel through Ladysmith, which was besieged for 118 days during that war, before checking into your lodge situated near Spion Kop, with distant views of the dramatic Drakensberg Mountains.
Day 9
This morning enjoy a shared tour to the Spion Kop Battlefield.
 
We drive to the place where one of the bloodiest battles of the South African War (Anglo Boer War) of 1900 took place in efforts to relieve Ladysmith, which was besieged for 118 days. Visit the mass graves atop Spion Kop hill and see for yourself how poor military decisions affected the outcome of this battle.
 
Incredibly three future world leaders were in the area at the time this battle took place - Winston Churchill as a young newspaper correspondent, the future Mahatma Gandhi as a stretcher bearer, and Louis Botha as the Boer general who would go on to become the first Prime Minister of the Union of South Africa.
 
Your afternoon is at leisure to relax at your lodge.
 
Recommended Reading:
Boer War – Thomas Pakenham
Day 10
Transfer 3-hours to Durban Airport for your onward flight.

You will be met at Cape Town Airport and transferred to your hotel in this beautiful city, within sight of Table Mountain.
 
Check in and relax in your magnificent surroundings.
Day 11
Today enjoy a private tour of the beautiful city of Cape Town.
 
Weather permitting, we start by ascending Table Mountain by cable car to see one of the world's most famous views (alternatively we will drive up Signal Hill). We then drive around the city to see the key sights including the City Hall, Greenmarket Square, Houses of Parliament, Bo Kaap, Castle of Good Hope, District Six and Sea Point. before enjoying a Harbour Cruise.
 
Afterwards explore the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, with its many shops and restaurants (return taxi for own account).
 
Note: Table Mountain cable car is closed for annual maintenance from mid July to end August.
Day 12
At leisure to explore more of the beautiful city of Cape Town.
 
You can visit the Mandela Legacy Exhibition at the City Hall, explore the vibrant Victoria & Alfred Waterfront or take the ferry to Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned (advance booking essential in season).
 
From July to November you can take an optional whale watching trip to Hermanus.
 
Alternatively you can take the Hop Off bus (Blue Route) to visit world famous Kirstenbosch Gardens or simply relax on golden Camps Bay Beach.
Days 13 To 14
Today enjoy a full day private tour around the beautiful Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve peninsula.
 
We travel to Hout Bay, where there is the option to take a short boat trip to view Cape Fur seals at Seal Island (pay locally). We then continue along Chapman’s Peak Drive to spectacular Cape Point, where you may see baboons, ostriches and perhaps even dolphins or whales in season (July/November). The funicular up to the Old Lighthouse is included.
 
On the return journey we pass through naval Simons Town and visit the resident penguin colony at Boulders Beach.
 
Note: Lunch is for your own account today.
Day 15
Transfer to Cape Town Airport for your flight home.