Zulu Battlefields
BL3T21001-6-12-18-12-9-11-12
OUR ITINERARY
4 night/5 day [ex: Johannesburg or Cape Town]
This experience is designed to 'fit' between Tests 1 and 2, or 2 and 3. If after Test 1, then you finish at Durban and the flight to Cape Town is included. If starting after Test 2, then the tour includes a flight from Cape Town to Durban and the itinerary below is simply reversed.
Day 1
Pick up your hire car and travel south out of Johannesburg into KwaZulu Natal. We head to the small township of Dundee and the Blood River Heritage site which is considered one of the most unique battlefields in South-Africa. On 16 December 1838, 464 Voortrekkers and their servants defeated King Dingane’s approximately 10000 Zulu warriors. The Blood River Heritage Site hosts a museum exhibition that depicts the narrative and history of the battlefield. There is a unique bronze wagon laager on display along with a granite wagon monument representing the Afrikaaner Voortrekkers. Over the river, the Ncome museum houses an exhibition about the Zulu people and their unique culture as well as a short DVD at the information centre about the battle of Blood River.
Talana Heritage Park houses 17 buildings that display the impact of the 'Boer' (Farmer), British and Zulu combat legacy. Restored homesteads, garden headstones; South Africa's first coal mine; a locomotive; weapons; uniforms, photographs; an original hand built wagon and one of the only two wooden wool presses left in South Africa, spin tales of the time.
Overnight at a hotel of choice.
Day 2
We are terribly pleased to announce our guides today will be Anthony Coleman and Johann Hamman (photo above), both accredited KZN battlefields guides with degrees in military history and over 17 years experience of tours. Our guides will be with you all day.
The first stop is the Isandlwana Battlefield and Museum. In early January 1879, the British Empire invaded Zululand furthering their colonial expansionist agenda of Southern Africa. The local Zulu Kingdom responded with a well-coordinated attack at the Battle of Isandlwana that surprised the British. This historic battle, which was documented as being ruthless and bloody is seen by historians as the start of Anglo-Zulu War. The British Empire experienced a severe defeat at the Battle of Isandlwana losing over 1700 soldiers at the hands of a Zulu army numbering 20 000. The Zulu warriors out numbered the British troops greatly even though they who had superior weapons in comparison to the spears and leather shields the Zulus used.
The tour progresses to the Battle of Rorke's Drift which also occurred on January 22nd 1879 after the Battle of Isandlwana and continued into the following day. The Defence of Rorke's Drift was smaller in numbers than the Battle of Isandlwana with the British numbering at an estimated 150 and the Zulu’s at 3000 – 4000 fighters. The British troops managed to hold off the Zulu warriors and secure a victory.
Day 3
Leisurely morning drive south to the coast and the beautiful and elegant resort suburb of Umhlanga Ridge, just outside Durban.
Remainder of the day free to relax.
Day 4
Free to explore this beautiful region. You may decide to 'swim with the sharks', tour the Hluhluwe Game Park or delve deep into Zulu culture on a Shakaland tour.
Day 5
Drop car at Durban Airport and depart on flight to Cape Town.
TOUR PRICES INCLUDE
- Economy seated air flight Durban to Cape Town or v.v.
- 2 nights bed, breakfast and dinner at Rorkes Drift Hotel.
- A R175 p.p. Community and Conservation Levy will be payable locally
- 2 night bed and breakfast at the City Lodge, Umhlanga Ridge or similar.
- Hotel to airport and return transfers
- 5 days rental of a mid sized car with one way drop off fees
- Full day guided tour of the two battlefields.

RORKE'S DRIFT HOTEL
(Note - we do have a few rooms overlooking the Buffalo River)
At Umhalanga we will be staying at:
CITY LODGE UMHLANGA RIDGE (or similar)
HOW TO BOOK
Its simple. All our prices are per person in the room type, hotel etc, of your choice from the drop down menus.
Select the hotel/room type/ticket category and ADD TO CART
Now you increase the number of guests per room (so if booking a double you need to increase the QUANTITY to 2, a twin the same, but a single is just 1 person). Automatically the value of the cart increases.
If booking more than one room, simply click CONTINUE SHOPPING in the CART, return to your chosen trip and repeat the process. Do this for each room type. This also allows you to buy different styles of room depending on your needs.
Time to pay. You can choose 2 schemes.
A - If buying outside the 12 weeks cut off you click the INSTALLMENTS button in the middle. This takes you to the secure payment pages of Partial.ly.
B - If paying in full (ie: after 23rd April 2021) click the FULL PAYMENT button. This takes you to the PayPal secure server.
We accept all credit and debit cards.
HOW TO PAY
Our payment process is simple and flexible. You have payment options to suit all budgets.
INSTALLMENTS - all tours will be 30% deposit, 20% on by 01 October 2020, 25% on 23 January 2021 and 25% on 23 April 2021. You will receive an invoice for each installment.
INTERIM PAYMENTS - of course you can also pay in stages. Each invoice raised (as above) will allow you to pay off a minimum of £200 a time off the total bill.
BANK TRANSFER - if you wish to pay by bank deposit, let us know and we will provide account details.
None of these payment scheme attract additional fees. valid as of 1st May 2020