Battlefields of the Zulu War

The Battlefields are situated in the north-central region of KwaZulu-Natal and include the towns of Colenso, Ladysmith, Dundee and Vryheid. This is where the Boers fought the British and the British fought the Zulus in a series of bloody conflicts. The area holds significant appeal for travelers with a keen interest in military history. In past times, the Battlefields felt the footfalls of key figures such as Ghandi, Winston Churchill, General Louis Botha and Zulu monarch Shaka.

Today, walks are led by highly knowledgeable guides, whose discussions of battles and strategies are absolutely fascinating. From some lodges, interactive walks for children are available too. The guides’ stories really bring to life the old skirmishes of Isandlwana, Cetshwayo, Spioenkop, Blood River and Rorke’s Drift. And there is a wealth of national monuments and museums to visit, as well as the forts and resting places of the fallen amidst the sprawling grasses and rolling hills of these former fighting grounds.