african wildlife

South African Battlefields Tours

Zulu & Boer Battlefields Tours

South Africa Battlefields Tours from Isandhlwana to Ulundi, Dundee and Ladysmith to the British HQ of Melrose house and Winston Churchill's Pretoria prison.

Bringing to life South African Military History of the Anglo Zulu Battlefield of Isandhlwana when 20,000 motivated celibate man slaying Zulu warriors of Cetshwayo's mighty army defeated the British #3 column, recorded in the annuals of British military history as the greatest single defeat ever inflicted on a modern British army against the spears of a native foe, the area which can be walked around includes the Sphinx and the many stone covered graves with the remains of Red Coated British soldiers of Chelmsford's #3 column, the eerie silence broken only by the sometime gentle wind is all that is left and the 11 VC's that where awarded at Rorke's Drift when the 24 "B" coy Welsh Borderers successfully defended the mission station against a numerically superior but out gunned native force and the Zulu Capital ofUlundi with the final defeat of King Cetshwayo and the mighty Zulu Empire.

In 1880 after the Boers in Pretoria rebelled against British interference in the Transvaal, Majuba (the Hill of Doves) on the Natal border was the place when on the 27 February 1881 Gen Colley was mortally wounded, forcing the British to sign a peace treaty, first at O'Neill's cottage and later at Hilldrop House Newcastle. "Remember Majuba" was the rallying cry by the British forces some 18 years later during the second Anglo-Boer War of 1899 - 1902. After the battle of Paardeberg 27 February 1900 and the surrender of Piet Cronje with his 4000 burghers, President Paul Kruger who was nearby at Poplar Grove, on hearing the bad news placed his head into his hands and was heard muttering "they have taken away my Majuba Day".

On the 11 October 1899 the day after Paul Kruger's birthday, the little Boer Republic of the Transvaal declared war against the Might of the British Empire. We have tours to the Battlefields of Talana, Colenso, Spionkop, the siege town of Ladysmith, Winston Churchill's armoured train ambush and capture site as well as his Pretoria prison and the British HQ of Melrose House - the signing of the peace accord of 31 May 1902.

After the fall of Pretoria on the 5 June 1900 we trace Botha's retreat into the old "Eastern Transvaal" with the Battlefield of Delmanuthu, being recognized as the last of the formal battles and the beginning of the Guerrilla phase, Belfast and the grave yard, Lydenburg, Long Tom Pass and the "Long Tom Gun" site as well as Paul Kruger's last residence in South Africa before he departed for Europe to muster support for the Boer cause in October 1900.

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Anglo Zulu Battlefields

The Zulu Battlefields of KwaZulu-Natal, including the Boer-Zulu Battlefield of Blood River when the early Dutch pioneers defended an attack on the wagon laager by an overwhelming Zulu force. The Anglo-Zulu Battlefields of Isandhlwana where 1,400 of the British invasion force lost their lives against a disciplined and organized Zulu impi,Rorke's Drift when 11 VC's were awarded to the 24th B coy Welsh Borderers, Traveling east we visit the Zulu capital of Ulundi and the memorial to the fallen of both sides leading to the total defeat of the mighty Zulu empire on 4 July 1879. From Ulundi you can visit the old British #1 Colomn of fort Eshowe at the Norwegian mission station.

Zulu Battlefields Tours - read more >>
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Anglo Boer Battlefields

From Jo'burg we travel south towards "Ladysmith to visit the the killing field of Spionkop to take a tour of the Battlefield and explain the events that took place which involved such people as Winston Churchill and Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi. Our first visit in Ladysmith is to the Siege Museum with its excellent diorama of the Ladysmith field of operation, to the north west of the town we visit the site of Whites HQ with a commanding view of the area. Leaving Ladysmith you visit the Churchill memorial to see the armoured train ambush site which led to the capture of young Winston. Travelling back over the Tugela River to visit a part of the area collectively known as the Tugela Heights and the last final push to break the siege of Ladysmith. One of the accommodations we stayover is on the Battlefield of Ladysmith. You can also visit the capital of South Africa; Pretoria with one of the old Boer forts, Churchill's prison and the British HQ of Melrose house with the signing of the peace treaty in May 1902.

Boer Battlefields Tours - read more >>
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Anglo Boer Zulu Battlefields

The battlefield of Spionkop where the Liverpool regiments came under a fire barrage from the Boer army under the command of Louis Botha. In Ladysmith we visit the Siege Museum with its diorama of  the field of operation. South of town you visit the Churchill memorial to see the armoured train ambush site which led to the capture of young Winston on 15 November 1899. Travel back over the Tugela River to visit a part of the area collectively known as the Tugela Heights and the last final push to break the siege of Ladysmith. Traveling northeast we can visit the Talana Battlefield and Pete Smiths farm which is one of the best open-air Museums in the area. We visit Isandhlwana with the biggest ever defeat of a modern British army against the spears of a Zulu impi and Rorke's Drift when 11 VC's were awarded to the 24th "B" coy Welsh Borderers. You can visit the Zulu capital of Ulundi and the memorial to the fallen of both sides leading to the total defeat of the mighty Zulu empire on 4 July 1879 and Fort Eshowe where Pearson's #1 column was besieged at the Norwegian mission station. An optional Safaris with a relaxing Game Drive in the Hluhluwe/Umfolozi Reserve with the opportunity of seeing the BIG 5 of the animal kingdom.

Combined Boer & Zulu Battlefields Tours with Safaris - read more >>
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Anglo Boer Battlefields Eastern Transvaal

Lord Roberts entered Pretoria on the 5 June 1900 the Boer army traveled east into the old Eastern Transvaal of the ZAR. Starting in the capital of South Africa Pretoria; we visit one of the Boer Forts built after the Jameson Raid in 1896, Winston Churchill's prison, Paul Kruger house, Breaker Morant and the British HQ of Melrose House and the signing of the peace treaty on the 31 May 1902. Traveling towards the old Eastern Transvaal we see the Battle site of Diamond Hill (June 1900) and visit Bergendal (Aug 1900) being acknowledged as the last of the formal battles and the start of the Guerrilla phase, and Long Tom Pass where you can still see one of the old wagon routes used by the early pioneers like Percy Fitzpatrick, and where Botha managed to extricate his men and the Long Toms. We also visit the Long Tom Gun site on this famous pass while listening to the story of Botha's retreat. Traveling through Belfast we visit the grave yard where amongst others lay British Soldiers, onto Dullstroom and Lydenburg. Our journey will also take you to the last residence in South Africa of the old ZAR President "Paul Kruger" (1825-1904).

Anglo-Boer Battlefields of Pretoria and the old Eastern Transvaal

  • 4 day (3 night) This tour of the old South African Republic (ZAR) is ideal for people who enjoy some travel, relaxation and history. After 100 years the Anglo-Boer war still evokes passion from both Boer and Brit alike.
    On our journey you visit one of the old Boer Forts guarding Pretoria, Winston Churchill's Pretoria prison, Breaker Morant, Union Buildings &  the British HQ of Melrose House. Traveling towards the old Eastern Transvaal we see the Battle site of Diamond Hill and visit Bergendal and Long Tom Pass where you can still see one of the old wagon routes used by the early pioneers like Percy Fitzpatrick, we also visit the Long Tom Gun site on this famous pass while listening to the story of Botha's retreat. Traveling through Belfast we visit the grave yard where amongst others lay British Soldiers, then onto Dullstroom and Lydenburg. We also visit the last residence in South Africa of the old ZAR President Paul Kruger (1825-1904). On this tour we travel about 1000 km's.

  • 5 days to 11 days extended tour to the Kruger Park. The above tour can be extended to include visiting the Kruger National Park, Pilgrims Rest, Blyderiver Canyon, Gods Window, Mac Mac, Berlyn and Lisbon falls on the upper meander of the scenic panoramic route before returning to Jo 'Burg.

  • Includes accommodations and meals, return transfers Johannesburg / Pretoria.

    This tour is more suitable for visitors who are looking for some light military history combined with scenic and game viewing.

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Anglo Boer Zulu Battlefields Tours
 

Anglo-Boer Battlefields

Mafekeng, Kimberley & Bloemfontein

10 day tours to the siege towns of Mafekeng of Baden Powell, Warrens 1884 expedition, Kimberley with the Maggersfontein Battlefield of the Highland Regiments. The Free State Capital of Bloemfontein with Sannaspos, Queens Fort and the vrou memorial with the final resting place of Emily Hobhouse.


Anglo-Boer Battlefields 1899-1902

Ladysmith, Kimberley, Mafekeng & Bloemfontein,

19 day tour of the three siege towns of Ladysmith, Kimberley, and Mafekeng combined with the Free State Capital of Bloemfontein including the sites of the old Eastern Transvaal.

Includes: accommodations and meals, return transfers Johannesburg / Pretoria,

Tours can be customized subject to availability

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African Battlefields

African Battlefields

Breaker Morants final resting place

Breaker Morant

British War Grave

Anglo Boer War

Anglo - Zulu Battlefields

Anglo Zulu Battlefield of Isandlwana 1879

Rorkes Drift

Rorkes Drift

Henry Wood - Zulu Wars 1879

Henry Wood

Pennsymons - Battle of Talana

Battle of Talana

Sir Goerge White - Ladysmith

Sir George White

Burgher Memorial - Platrand

Ladysmith Memorial

Platrand

Platrand

Young Winston

Winston Churchill

Baden Powell - Siege of Mafekeng

South Africa Tours

Boer Longtom 115mm Gun

Longtom Gun