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KwaZulu Natal Holidays Tours South Africa Zulu Battlefields Durban Safari

Zulu Battlefields Tours: Isandlwana + Rorkes Drift + Boer War + Spion Kop + Kruger Park

Kruger Park + Boer & Zulu Battlefields - Privately Guided
Zulu Battlefields Tours Isandlwana Rorkes Drift Boer Spion Kop Kruger Park
10 NIGHTS FROM:
$4,184
Per person sharing
Scheduled flights quoted separately
SPE12J
• Blyde River Canyon
• Kruger Park
• Big Five Safari
• Blood River
• Zulu Battlefields Tours
• Isandlwana
• Rorkes Drift
• Boer War Sites
• Spion Kop
• Drakensberg Mountains

Our privately guided Zulu Battlefields tours in South Africa combine the beautiful Blyde River Canyon & the wildlife of the Kruger Park with the famous battlefields at Isandlwana & Rorkes Drift, travelling with an expert guide. Continue to Ladysmith & the Boer War graves atop Spion Kop, before relaxing in the spectacular Drakensberg Mountains. All transfers & entrance fees included.

Day 1
You will be met at Mpumalanga Airport and transferred between 2 and 3.5-hours (depending on the location of your lodge) to the world famous Kruger National Park.
 
After checking in, enjoy a thrilling game drive in an open-top vehicle accompanied by a lodge ranger. Game viewing opportunities should present themselves almost immediately in this vast wildlife wilderness. Hopefully you will see several species of antelope, zebra, wildebeest and maybe even giraffe - as well as several of the Big Five - before dining under the stars in the atmosphere that only the African bushveld can provide.
Day 2
After a final early morning game drive in the Kruger National Park, your battlefields guide will collect you for the scenic 4-hour drive through the mountains and farmlands of the Eastern Transvaal, travelling towards the Zulu Battlefields.
 
We stop at Ermelo and check into our hotel for overnight.
Day 3
Today we complete our 3-hour drive to the small coal mining town of Dundee, which is the gateway to the remote battlefields at Isandlwana and Rorke's Drift in rural Zululand.
 
Along the way we detour to the 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.
 
Afterwards enjoy dinner at your lodge, whilst absorbing some of the fascinating history of the great conflict between Britain and the proud Zulu Kingdom.
Day 4
This morning enjoy a full day tour 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 lunch (own account), we visit the Fugitives Drift where two young officers attempted to carry the Queen's colour to safety. We continue to Rorke's 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 single 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 5
Today we travel 2.5-hours from Dundee to the South African War Battlefields in the beautiful Natal Midlands.
 
We follow the Boer line of advance, stopping at the Talana Hill battlefield and museum, where in 1899 the first battle of the second Anglo Boer War (or South African War as it is now known) took place and where khaki was worn for the first time. This war was started shortly after the conquest of Zululand, as the British Empire turned its attentions to the lucrative Transvaal goldfields.
 
We continue via Elandslaagte to Ladysmith, which was besieged for 118 days by the boers. Here we can visit the small Siege Museum (open on weekdays & Saturday am). On Christmas Day 1899, the boers fired a carrier shell without a fuse into the town containing a Christmas pudding, two Union Flags and the message "Compliments of the Season". This shell is still kept in the museum. We can also visit the small All Saints Garrison Church.
 
Afterwards we continue to our lodge situated near Spion Kop, with distant views of the dramatic Drakensberg Mountains.
Day 6
This morning enjoy a guided 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 7
At leisure to relax at your lodge near Spioenkop.
Day 8
Transfer 3-hours through the Natal Midlands to the warm Durban North Coast, renowned for its wonderful beaches and reliably warm holiday weather all year round.
 
Relax in your lush sub-tropical surroundings on the shores of the warm Indian Ocean.
Days 9 To 10
At leisure to relax on the warm golden beaches of the Durban North Coast.
 
Many optional activities are available such as a marine cruise to search for dolphins, turtles, sharks, whales (in season) and other fascinating sea life. Championship golf, horse riding and deep sea game fishing are also available.
Day 11
Transfer to Durban Airport for your flight home.