Battlefields of South Africa

As with many parts of the world, South Africa holds a significant place in British military history. In the late 19th century Britain fought significant wars. In 1879, the British fought a six month war with the Zulu nation and a few years later, a longer, bloody conflict with the Boers took place. Places like Isandlwana, Rorke's Drift and Spion Kop are etched in the history of Britain and visiting these places is a must for anyone visiting KwaZulu Natal.

The Anglo Zulu War (1879)

The Anglo-Zulu War of 1879 is famous throughout the English-speaking world for the great battles of Isandlwana and Rorke’s Drift. The Anglo-Zulu War was a 6 month campaign that started with the Battle of Isandlwana when King Cetswayo’s Zulu Army wiped out the British camp of more than 1,300 men at Isandlwana. In Zulu folklore, a solar eclipse is considered a bad omen and it at the height of the battle when a solar eclipse occurred – David Rattray narrates a brilliant set of CDs called “The Day of The Dead Moon”.

Although the Zulu’s were victorious at Isandlwana, it was the start of the end of the Zulu nation that had grown under the guidance of King Shaka. Later in the day, a breakaway group of Zulus crossed the Buffalo River to attack the mission station at Rorke’s Drift which was one of the most famous battles in Britain’s history.

It was not only the Zulu’s who suffered misfortune. The war was the catalyst for the fall of the Disraeli government and on 1 June 1879, the last of the Napoleonic bloodline died out when Imperial Prince Napoleon Eugene was killed while out on patrol. The exiled heir to the French throne had volunteered to serve in the British Army. The Anglo-Zulu War ended on 4 July 1879 at the Battle of Ulundi when King Cetswayo was captured and his army decisively defeated.

Fugitives Drift

The spectacular Fugitives’ Drift property, a Natural Heritage Site, overlooks both Isandlwana and Rorke’s Drift, and includes the site where Lieutenants Melvill and Coghill lost their lives attempting to save the Queen’s Colour of their regiment.

If one tried to dream up geography and topography for the clash between two great nations, one could hardly come up with a more fantastic scene than this one.

It was here that David and Nicky Rattray pioneered Heritage Tourism in South Africa and created an award winning lodge for visitors to savour this extraordinary saga.

Led by the finest guides in South Africa, thought-provoking and often emotionally charged tours are conducted daily to Isandlwana and Rorke’s Drift. Walks and horserides through the reserve to view abundant game and birdlife are offered as well as fishing the 20km frontage on the Buffalo River.

The reserve offers a choice of accommodation in either the Lodge or the Guest House, both owned by the Rattrays and born out of their extensive experience in hospitality, evident in every corner of Fugitives’ Drift, is their love of South Africa, its people and its unique history.

Spacious, luxury en-suite cottages each have private verandahs and broad views over the plains flanking the Buffalo River Gorge. The Lodge and Guest House both have swimming pools, set in their colourful well established gardens, home to innumerable bird species.

Enjoy superb cuisine, a unique fusion of home and modern flavours, in the splendid atmosphere of a veritable museum of Anglo Zulu War memorabilia. If you are planning to visit the battlefields of the Anglo-Zulu War, Fugitives Drift is the ultimate option for this fascinating journey into the past.

The Anglo Boer War (1899-1902)

The Anglo-Boer War lasted almost 3 years. The British fought against forces from the two independent Boer republics of the South African Republic (Transvaal Republic) and the Orange Free State.

The origins of the war were complex and as a result of more than 200 years of conflict between the British and the Boers. Once started, the war had three distinct phases:

- The Boers pre-emptive strikes into British controlled Natal and Cape Colony including sieges at Ladysmith, Mafeking and Kimberley as well as the Battle of Spionkop

- The second phase resulted in Lord Kitchener introducing large numbers of reinforcements which resulted in the capture of Pretoria in 1900

- The final stage saw the Boers engage in guerilla warfare in a phase that lasted for two years. In an effort to cut off supplies to the Boers, the British responded with a scorched earth policy and moving civilians into concentration camps

In 1902, hostilities ended with the Treaty of Vereeniging which saw the two republics absorbed into the British Empire.