Natal Battlefields 2 day Tour (SMDB2) - Tours leaving from Durban

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Spend two days exploring the Natal Battlefields such as Rorkes Drift, Isandlwana, Ladysmith and Spioenkop accompanied by an expert Battlefields guide. This tour starts and ends in Durban.

Among the picturesque hills and rock formations of this sweeping landscape that fearless, spear-wielding foot soldiers of the all-conquering Zulu kings first encountered the rampant British Empire's sophisticated fire-power. This is where each faced the unfamiliar guerrilla-warfare tactics of the Boer - descendants of the west European settlers who five generations earlier had claimed divine right to this 'Promised Land'.

At Isandlwana Hill, a British force of some 1,700 men was virtually wiped out by a Zulu army of over 20,000 men under the command of Ntshingwayo Khoza and Mavumengwana Ntuli.

Some 100 British soldiers defended this position against 4,000 Zulu warriors in a 12 hour engagement.

On this lonely hillside the two men who were responsible for saving the Queen's Color from the Isandlwana camp were killed are buried. The site is located 15 km beyond Rorke's Drift. The Fugitive Trail follows the route along which the handful of survivors fled from Isandlwana to Fugitives Drift.

Ladysmith is situated on the banks of KwaZulu-Natal's Klip River. It became a prosperous staging- post for fortune-hunters en route to the Transvaal gold- fields and diamond discoveries at Kimberley.

Ladysmith made world headlines at the turn of the previous century when it was besieged for 118 days during the most crucial stage of the Anglo-Boer War.

DAY 1 - MONDAY DURBAN - FUGITIVE'S DRIFT

Early departure. Expert Battlefield guide recounts the 1879 battle of Isandlawana, where 24 000 Zulu impi's attacked a British regiment. Continue to Fugitive's Drift and Rorke's Drift, where for 12 hours, some 100 British troops repulsed 4000 Zulu impi's. Return to Fugitive's Drift. Overnight at guest house.[LD]

DAY 2 - TUESDAY FUGITIVES DRIFT - DURBAN

After a hearty traditional South African breakfast, summit Spioenkop Mountain. Guide will recount tragic battle between the Boers and British in January 1900. Winston Churchill, then a reporter, and Gandhi, a stretcher bearer, witnessed this battle. After lunch, return to Durban. Arrive late afternoon, where tour ends. [BL]

DEPARTS: Weekly on Mondays

DURATION: 2 days/1 night

ROUTING: DURBAN - NATAL BATTLEFIELDS - DURBAN

INCLUDES: 1 breakfast, 2 lunches, 1 dinner, accommodation, porterage, transportation, and sightseeing as specified.

NOTE! Subject to minimum 2 passengers

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