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Battlefields

Exploring South Africa: A Guide to Rorke’s Drift and Isandlwana Battlefield Tours

Visiting South Africa from the United Kingdom offers travellers a unique opportunity to visit the battlefields of Rorkes Drift and Isandlwana.

Most international visitors see South Africa as a safari destination and are absolutely blown away when they hear just how much this small little country at the tip of Africa has influenced the world.

For travellers from the UK planning a visit to this fascinating country, there are a number of must see sites; and none more fascinating and impressive than the battlefields of Rorkes Drift and iSandlwana.

Why Visit Rorke’s Drift and Isandlwana?

Apart from the fact that the Anglo Zulu War of 1879 influenced British Military tactics and policy and brought a royal line to an end, the battles of iSandlwana and Rorkes Drift were a significant factor in the changing of the British government of the time and saw a change in attitude by the British people towards colonisation in general.

Rorkes Drift

As the world moves on, sites such as Rorkes Drift and iSandlwana are remembered as places of great sacrifice and bravery on both sides of the conflict, and even today, to walk on the very ground where British and Zulu blood was spilt is as emotional as it is a privilege.

These sites are not just about battles; they are about the men who fought for their country, men who defended their lands, it’s about their stories and their courage. It’s about how their actions helped shape the rainbow nation of South Africa today.

Tour Details: Departing from Durban

All our tours, whether a one day tour, two day, or three day tour, start and finish in the vibrant city of Durban. This makes it incredibly convenient for travellers staying in or around the city.

The convenient King Shaka International Airport is just 15 min from Umhlanga and 20 min from Durban. Our tours are meticulously planned to ensure you have an enriching experience, from departure to return.

Expert Guidance by Qualified Battlefield Guides

What truly sets us apart is that we are not just generalist guides, we are in fact specialist battlefield guides. Apart from qualifying in our respective fields, all our battlefield guides are passionate about the events of the Anglo Zulu War and have spent years not only studying the sites, but exploring them as well.

Serious disscusion over the advantage of assagy and martini-henry
A white memorial to the fallen at Rorkes Drift stands in a small walled cemetary
The memorial at Rorkes Drift inside the walled cemetary

All our our guides (me included) not only visit the sites as part of tours, but we also take part in educational tours where we walk the fields of Rorkes Drift and iSandlwana and discuss the events that happened there in order stay up to date.

Five-Star Experiences

Don’t just take our word for it. Our commitment to excellence is reflected in our consistent 5-star ratings on TripAdvisor and ToursByLocals. These reviews are a testament to our dedication to providing quality, informative, and memorable tours.

You can read up on our reviews by visiting our TripAdvisor review page (link opens in a new tab).

Convenience and Comfort

We understand the importance of convenience, especially for international travellers. This is why we’ll collect you from your hotel, B&B, or directly from the airport or harbour, and transfer you directly to the sites. And it’s not just a relaxing drive through a beautiful countryside, we’ll also give you some background on why the conflicts started in the first place.

A steep hill called isandlwana is surrounded by dark clouds in the afternoon sky. In the foreground lay piles of stones painted white to mark the remains of fallen british troops.
The hill called Isandlwana where the battle occurred in 1879
Looking onto Owens Mission

Additionally, to enhance your experience, we provide a delicious, light picnic lunch during the tour that can be enjoyed under the shade of a Buffalo Thorn tree at Rorkes Drift

Join Us for a Journey into the Past

Our tours are more than just sightseeing; they are an educational journey, a tribute to the past, and an experience that resonates long after you return home.

As you plan your trip to South Africa, consider adding a battlefield tour to Rorkes Drift and iSandlwana to your itinerary. It’s an opportunity to connect with history, understand the present, and appreciate the beauty of South Africa.

Flexibility in Planning

South Africa has so much to offer international travellers and explorers which is why we offer a level of flexibility and bespoke itinerary planning to suit your time constraints, your budget and your interests.

We offer a number of safari tour options that you can enjoy before or after your battlefield tour. Conveniently, the battlefield of Ulundi is less than 30 minutes from the famed Big-5, Hluhluwe Imfolozi Game Reserve.

A herd of 6 elephants including a young calf walk towards the photographer on a dirt road that has African bushes and growing along side.
A herd of female elephant make their way along the dirt road towards a waterhole.
A white rhinocerous stands on a dirt track facing the camera
A white rhino watches us in the Hluhluwe Imfolozi Game Reserve

On our safari tours you get to enjoy African wildlife at it’s best, as well as excursions to an elephant and cheetah reserve and a 2 hour cruise on the St Lucia estuary spotting hippo and crocs.

Book Your Tour Today

Ready to embark on this historic journey? You can book by simply contact me using any of the options below. I look forward to guiding you through these remarkable chapters of South Africa’s history and sharing experiences that you will cherish forever.