There are a number of Drakensberg battlefield tours available of various battlefield sites. Its little wonder KwaZulu-Natal is a military history enthusiast’s dream and many of its battlefields have become ‘must see’ sites, several of which are within easy reach of your Drakensberg Experience.
These battlefield sites include the Voortrekker / Zulu conflict of 1838 and the Anglo-Boer War of 1899 – 1902.
Kwazulu Natal hosts the Battlefield Route which is very easy to get to if you pass through either the Drakensberg or Natal Midlands.
Driving past Colenso today, it is hard to visualize that just over one hundred years ago General Buller’s forces were spread across this same piece of veld. British soldiers struggling to cross the Tugela River against the concentrated fire from Boer guns sited in the hills surrounding the besieged town of Ladysmith.Amongst them a 25-year-old former soldier turned newspaper correspondent for the London Morning Post, by name of Winston Churchill, and a young London-trained lawyer, serving as a stretcher bearer, named Mohandas Ghandi.
As you journey further, it is even more difficult to imagine that the scenic and tranquil landscape of central and northern Kwazulu Natal once the focal point of major military clashes, where over a span of 70 years, one historical drama after another unfolded against the backdrop of the African veld and the majestic Drakensberg mountains.
The region boasts the largest concentration of battlefields in South Africa, drawing visitors from all over the world.
It is here that military engagements that were to shape the course of South African and world history, and rock the pedestal of the British Empire, raged over thorny hills and sweeping grasslands.
Drakensberg battlefield tour guide directory
Ron Gold is based at Three Tree Hill Lodge at the foot of Spioenkop and is a military history specialist. He has been taking personally hosted and group tours to all the battlefield sites in KwaZulu-Natal –Anglo Zulu War, Transvaal War of Independence, South African War, Voortrekker-Zulu for over 20 years. He is accomplished story teller and does lectures and talks as far afield as the USA
Elizabeth (Liz) Spiret was born and educated in the UK. She served as museum assistant in the Siege Museum for 8 years, is a trustee of the Siege Museum and a committee member of Ladysmith Historical Society. Her particular interest is the Siege of Ladysmith and surrounding battles of the Anglo Boer War 1899-1902. She has conducted Drakensberg battlefield tours around these sites for many years.
Simon Blackburn, with wife Cheryl co-owner of Three Tree Hill Lodge at Spioenkop.
He has BSc Hons in Zoology and started guiding in 1994 – 10 yrs at Singita, 3 yrs Kwando Safaris, Botswana, 2 yrs at Three Trees at Spionkop. FGASA Level III DG Nature Guide, SATOUR Kzn Tourist Guide #112, Botswana qualified guide. Specialize in Walking Trails in Big 5 areas, and History of AB War with emphasis on Spionkop and Colenso PDP.
Rob Caskie works on a freelance basis involved heavily in lectures on the Anglo-Zulu War. Rob Caskie is a charismatic and engaging story teller whose imaginative talks are lifelike as he takes you through the battles of Isandlwana and Rorke’s Drift. Based in Howick and is available to guests who wish to engage his services.
Alastair Heron – specialist, qualified Battlefield and Cultural guide who is in the process of reading History and Psychology through UNISA. Manager of family owned Spion Kop Lodge from where one is able to experience Drakensberg battlefield Tours of the Kwa Zulu Natal Battlefields.
Raymond Heron – Owner of Spion Kop Lodge – Specialist South African War raconteur and registered guide will accompany you to the many historic sights of the KwaZulu Natal Battlefields. With his passion and unique ability, Raymond transports you back in time, using the theatre of the mind as he paints vivid pictures of the personal trauma and military mindset of the time, which resulted in the slaughter of so many British and South African Soldiers, enabling you, to relive the past that changed our future as you walk in the footsteps of great leaders. Kate Turkington refers to Raymond as “An Historian and Raconteur Supreme!” Daily Tours to the Battlefields.
Anthony Coleman was awarded the KwaZulu Natal Service Excellence Award – Best Tourist Guide of the Year, 2008-2009. He has led many general and specialist tours within KwaZulu Natal and South Africa and has established a reputation as a professional and accomplished Guide/lecturer with an easy going but informative manner. Anthony is also an accredited Trainer and assessor for Tourist Guides and is a qualified National Guide. He has consistently been complemented as being passionate knowledgeable and fair in his narration of the incredible events that have made our history the most remarkable in the world.
Elisabeth Durham was born in France and regularly conducts tours in both English and French. She is also available as a translator for French speaking groups. She conducts tours to Isandlwana, Rorke’s Drift, Talana, the site where Louis Napoleon, Prince Imperial of France was killed.
