3 Day Anglo Zulu War Tour:
Durban to Durban
Day 1: Eshowe – Isandlwana Lodge
(Dinner)
After breakfast we collect you from your overnight accommodation in Durban or from the King Shaka International Airport and travel past lush green fields of sugarcane and past the Ultimatum Tree on the N2 Highway, which is the spot on the Tugela River where the Ultimatum, which precipitated the Anglo Zulu War of 1879, was delivered by the British to the Zulu's, and where the British crossing point into Zululand in the south was during their invasion of Zululand. The "Ultimatum Tree" has unfortunately died in the intervening years and we won’t visit its original site.
From here we travel to the Dlinza Forest Aerial Boardwalk. The boardwalk - the first in South Africa - is a 125m-walkway which takes visitors from the forest under-storey into its leafy canopy, giving a glimpse of life high above the forest floor - birds nesting and feeding, epiphytic orchids flowering in dappled light and giant trees competing for light and space. At the end of the walkway, we can climb the 20m-high viewing tower which emerges above the canopy of trees and has magnificent views over the forest and the countryside leading down to the coast.
We will also visit Fort Nonquai, situated on the outskirts of the town of Eshowe, which was built to serve as the headquarters of the Zululand Native Police. This small force was established in 1883 to serve as a bodyguard to the then Resident Commissioner Sir Melmoth Osborne. The small force, initially just 50 men, was known to the Zulus as nongqai and hence the fort was given the name Fort Nongqai.
The Zululand Native Police saw service in Zululand during the 1880’s, took part in the South Africa War (when its numbers rose to 600 men) and the Bambatha Rebellion.
From here we make our way to overnight at Isandlwana Lodge. Isandlwana Lodge is carved into the iNyoni rock overlooking the Isandlwana Battlefield, the site of the historic Anglo-Zulu war battle that took place on the 22nd of January, 1879. Today, the enigmatic mountain of Isandlwana nestles peacefully amongst the majestic beauty of the Zululand hills. In January 1879, however, it was the site of one of the most dramatic and enthralling events in the history of the Zulu Kingdom. Take time to relax at the luxurious Lodge.
Day 2: Isandlwana / Rorke's Drift
(Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
After breakfast we visit the museum and battlefield of Isandlwana, where on the 22nd January 1879 about 20-25,000 Zulus defeated the British, in what was to be Great Britain’s biggest defeat ever in her entire colonial history, at the Battle of Isandlwana. Over 1300 British and Allied officers and troops were killed in this battle, more so than in the Battle of Waterloo.
From Isandlwana we make our way to Rorkes Drift, where on that same fateful day a brave little garrison of 139 British soldiers held out all night against an immense Zulu attack, and in the process winning eleven Victoria Crosses for bravery, the most ever in a single battle in history.
We return to the lodge in the late afternoon for some much needed rest and reflection.
Day 3: Talana / Durban
(Breakfast)
This morning after breakfast we travel to Dundee where we visit the Talana Museum, nestled at the base of Talana Hill in Dundee. The Zulu name "Talana" meaning "the shelf where precious items are stored" is a most appropriate name for this large and varied museum. The museum comprises 17 buildings, dedicated to subjects as diverse as war and agriculture, mining, industry and domestic life. Started in 1979 to commemorate the Anglo Zulu war, the small collection moved to the present site at the beginning of 1983. The Smith cottage provides an evocative picture of the lives of the hardy pioneer farmers. The displays of weapons, uniforms, photographs and artefacts dramatically depict the conflict between the Zulu, Boer and Brit, as well as an insight into the Bushmen, the earliest settlers of the region. Glass has been manufactured in this valley since the end of the 19th century. Although the factory no longer exists, the museum is home to a magnificent collection of glass from around the world and South Africa. Dundee became the heart of the richest coal producing area in the country. Nicknamed "Coalopolis" the town expanded rapidly and the reconstructed town square and some of the shops, vividly recalls these times.
A superb collection of beadwork depicting the cultures of the many different African groups and the use of beads in all Indian and western cultures in South Africa may be viewed in the Bead Gallery. Today the museum has four extensive coal exhibits depicting the many aspects of coal mining in this area and preserving the proud and unique heritage of our mining history.
Thereafter we return to Durban, arriving late afternoon, where we drop you off at your overnight accommodation or at the King Shaka International Airport in time for your flight.
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