Battlefields★★
In the hinterland of KwaZulu-Natal, between Ladysmith and Dundee, lie the Battlefields — battlefields that tell of the most dramatic conflicts in South African history. For history enthusiasts, this region is fascinating.
Main Battlefields
- Isandlwana (1879): On January 22, 1879, a 20,000-strong Zulu army defeated the British colonial troops in one of the most devastating defeats in British military history. 1,300 British and colonial soldiers fell. The battlefield is now a silent, moving memorial with white stone cairns marking the fallen.
- Rorke's Drift (1879): Just hours after Isandlwana, 150 British soldiers defended a mission station against 3,000–4,000 Zulu warriors — and held their ground. 11 Victoria Crosses were awarded, more than in any other battle. Immortalized in the film "Zulu" (1964) with Michael Caine.
- Blood River / Ncome (1838): 464 Voortrekkers defeated a Zulu army. A key moment in Boer history, a tragedy for the Zulu. Two museums tell both sides.
- Spioenkop (1900): One of the most brutal battles of the Boer War. Mahatma Gandhi served here as a medic, Winston Churchill was on site as a war correspondent.
Practical Information
A local guide is almost indispensable — the battlefields do not reveal themselves on their own. The best guides in the region: Rob Sobukwe and Pat Sobukwe. Full-day tours from 1,500 ZAR (€75) per group. The Battlefields are about 3–4 hours' drive northwest of Durban.
