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Battlefields Map

Details of all the attractions and accommodation options on the Battlefields Route are available from any of the tourism information offices listed on this website, as well as on our printed fold-out brochure.

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Battlefields wars, info & places of interest

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Look on the map for the numbers:

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EARLY ZULU BATTLES AND HISTORICAL SITES
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[1] King Senzangakhona's Grave* - Ulundi Area
Senzangakhona, father of King Shaka, Dingane and Mpande. Buried at eSiklebheni, near uMgungundlovu. Arrange visit with manager of uMgungundlovu.
Tel: 035 450 2254

[2] King Shaka's Grave - KwaDukuza
1828. Buried here after assassination.
Tel: 032 552 7210

[3] uMgungundlovu - Ulundi Area
Open-air museum at site of King Dingane's royal residence (1829-1838). Interpretation centre. Museum shop. Open daily except Good Friday & Christmas - 9:00 to 16:00. Refreshments, toilets. Also see under Voortrekker-Zulu Wars.
Tel: 035 450 2254

[4] Gqokli Hill* - Ulundi Area
About 10km south of Ulundi, site of epic battle, 1818 between forces of King Shaka and Ndwandwe people. Viewpoint on road to Ulundi.
Tel: 035 870 2051

[5] Ondini - Ulundi Area
King Cetshwayo's royal residence (reconstructed). Burned down after Battle of Ulundi, July 1879. Open-air museum & KwaZulu Cultural Museum. 9km outside Ulundi towards uMfolozi/Hluhluwe Game Reserve. Toilets, Museum shop, refreshments. Open daily except Good Friday & Christmas 9:00 to 16:00
Tel:035 870 2050

[6] Ndondakusuka* - Mandeni. Near John Ross Road, bridge over Tugela River on R102, Site of battle between Prince Cetshwayo and his brother Mbuyazi, which established Cetshwayo as King Mpande's heir.

[7] Emakhosini Ophathe Heritage Park*
- Ulundi Area
Burial place of early Zulu Kings & Ophathe Game Reserve. Mgungundlovu Royal Residence.
Open daily, Entrance fee.
Tel: 035 870 2051

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VOORTREKKER - ZULU WARS
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[8] Saailaager* - Estcourt Area
12 February 1838. Zulu attack on Voortrekkers after execution of Piet Retief. Zulus repelled. Restored Voortrekker house on site. Follow Alfred Street in Estcourt, past quarry, cross stream. Memorial at fork in dirt road. Open daily.
Tel: 036 352 6253

[9] Rensburg Koppie* - Estcourt Area
17 February 1838. Young Martinus Oosthuysen courageously saved Three Voortrekker families from Zulu attack. On private farm between Estcourt and Mooi River. Arrange visit at Fort Durnford
Tel: 036 352 3000

[10] Veglaer* - Estcourt Area
Site of three day Zulu attack (13-15 February 1838) on Voortrekker laager. Actual site beneath Wagendrift Dam. Diorama explains battle, shows Voortrekker's battle tactics. From Estcourt follow signs to Wagendrift Dam.
Tel: 036 352 6253

[11] Bloukrans* - Estcourt Area
Many Voortrekker families annihilated during Zulu attack, 16 to 17 February 1838. Memorial on site. Off R103. Open daily.
Tel: 036 352 6253

[12] Blood River Battlefield & Ncome Museum* - Dundee Area.
16 December 1838. Voortrekkers defeated Zulu army. Replica bronze wagons set in laager on site. Off R33 between Dundee and Vryheid. Entrance fee payable. Interpretation Centre. Tearoom. Toilets. Open daily 08:00 to 17:00.
Tel: 034 632 1695

[13] Italeni Battlefield* - Mgungundlovu Area.
April 1838. Piet and Dirkie Uys killed. Rest of kommando (Vlugkommand escaped ambushed.)

[14] Grave of Piet Retief - Ulundi Area .
6 February 1838. Piet Retief and his party executed on orders from King Dingane. Memorial near Royal Kraal, uMgungundlovu. Off R34 near Ulundi. Open daily 9:00 to 16:00.
Tel: 035 450 2254

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ANGLO ZULU WAR 1879
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[15] Fort Pearson/Ultimatum Tree* - North Coast
11 December 1878. British Government presents ultimatum to King Cetshwayo's indunas. Unacceptable to the Zulus. War broke out one month later. From
Fort Pearson the British crossed Thukela River to invaded Zululand.
Tel: 032 486 1574

[16] Nyezane* - Eshowe Area
22 January 1879. British coastal column moving up north coast towards Eshowe attacked by about 4000 Zulus as they crossed Nyezane River. Graves situated about 500m from road sign. On the R68. Museum Tel: 035 474 2281
Tel: 035 473 3474

[17] Siege of Eshowe* - Eshowe Area
22 Jan to 3 April 1879. Zulu forces under Prince Dabulamanzi besieged part of Col. Pearson's column. British entrenched themselves around abandoned Norwegian Lutheran Mission (KwaMondi) and built earth fortification - Fort Eshowe. Site museum. Enquiries from Zululand Historicial Museum Fort Nongqayi. Open daily.
Tel: 035 4742281/035 4742281.

[18] British Military Cemetery at Fort Eshowe Kwa Mondi* - Eshowe Area
Tel: 035 473 3474. Situated on southwest-facing slope about 500m beyond Fort Eshowe. Enquiries Zululand Historical Museum Fort Nongqayi.

[19] Gingindlovu* - Eshowe Area
2 April 1879. Zulu attack on Chelmsford's relief column on its way to relieve Eshowe. They were repulsed and Eshowe was relieved following day.
Tel: 035 473 3474

[21] Isandlwana Battlefield* - Nqutu Area
22 January 1879. British defeated by 24 000 Zulus. Cairns mark places where British soldiers fell and were later buried. Off R68 between Nqutu and Babanango. Entrance fee payable at Interpretation Centre for access to battlefield.
Open daily except Good Friday and Christmas 9:00 to 16:00. Toilets.
Tel: 034 271 0634

[22] Fugitives' Drift* - Dundee Area
22 January 1879. Fugitives' Trail - route taken by survivors of Isandlwana. Crossed Buffalo River at Fugitives' Drift. Lts. Melvill and Coghill buried at drift. They attempted to save the Queen's Colours. From Rorke's Drift, follow signs. Open daily. On private property.
Tel: 034 271 8165

[23] Rorke's Drift Battlefield* - Dundee Area
22-23 January 1879. About 100 British soldiers fought for 12 hours to repel
4 000 Zulus, earning 11 Victoria Crosses. Museum/Interpretation Centre. Toilets. Open daily, except Good Friday/Christmas 9:00-16:00. ELC Craft Centre
9:00-16:00, Sat. 10:00-15:00. Off R68 from Dundee to Nqutu.
Tel: 034-642 1687

[24] Ntombe Battlefield* - Paulpietersburg Area
12 March 1879. At Ntombi Drift, 70 km from Lüneburg, Capt Moriarty and his men unsuccessfully defended themselves against superior Zulu force. Open daily.
Tel: 034 982 2133 ext 2271

[25] Hlobane Battlefield* - Vryheid Area
28 March 1879. On Hlobane Mountain, embarassing defeat for British forces.
20 km from Vryheid on Hlobane Road. Require key from Mine to gain entry.
Tel: 034 982 2133 ext 2271

[26] Kambula Battlefield* - Vryheid Area
29 March 1879. Some 22 000 Zulu warriors attacked fortified British position, battle started at 13:30, ended 17:30 when Zulu's were driven off and pursued by horsemen until dark. 10km from Vryheid on Paulpietersburg Road. Open daily.
Tel: 034 982 2133 ext 2271

[27] Prince Imperial Memorial* - Vryheid
1 June 1879. Last hope of Napoleonic dynasty died when Louis Napoleon was killed. Open Daily.
Tel: 034 212 2121 ext 2262

[28] Ulundi Battlefield - Ulundi
4 July 1879. On banks of Umfolozi River, final battle of Anglo - Zulu War. On the
road (P700) to the Hluhluwe Mfolozi park just outside Ulundi. Open daily
Tel: 035 870 2050

[60] Military Cemetery - Utrecht
Tel: 034 331 3613

[61] Petrus Lafras Uys Memorial - Utrecht
Killed at Battle of Hlobane 1879, fighting for British during Anglo-Zulu War.
Tel: 034 331 3613

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TRANSVAAL WAR OF INDEPENDENCE 1880 - 1881
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[29] Lang's Nek* - Volksrust/Newcastle Tel: 034 315 3318
28 January 1881. Unsuccessful attempt by British to break through to Transvaal. Can be viewed from N11, or contact the farm manager 082 774 8928

[30] Schuinshoogte* - Volksrust/Newcastle
8 February 1881. British forces under General Colley were surrounded by Boers on top of Schuinshoogte. Open daily.
Tel: 034 315 3318

[31] O'Neill Cottage - Volksrust/Newcastle Area
Original home of Eugene O'Neill, makeshift hospital for British soldiers during Battle of Majuba. Graves on site. The peace treaty ending war was negotiated here. On N11 between Newcastle & Volksrust. Gate locked Tel: 034 341 1862.
Tel: 034 315 3318

[32] Fort Mistake - Glencoe Area
Signaling post built during war. Between Ladysmith and Newcastle on N11.
Tel: 034 315 3318

[33] Majuba Battlefield - Volksrust/Newcastle Road.
Majuba Commemorative Farm
27 February 1881. Boers drove Gen Colley and his men off the top of the mountain inflicting heavy casualties and forcing the British to negotiate a peace. Entrance fee, Youth Lodge, caravan park, toilets, and picnic area
Tel: 017 7353401/017 7351962

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SOUTH ARICAN / ANGLO - BOER WAR 1899 - 1902
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[34] Talana Battlefield & Museum - Dundee
20 October 1899. First battle between British and Boers. British wore khaki for
first time in South Africa. Dundee defended mainly because coal-mine owners
pressurised Natal government. Self-guided trail. Outside Dundee on road to
Vryheid. Signposted. Toilets, Curio shop, Restaurant/tea garden. Entrance fee.
Open weekdays 08:00 to 16:30. Sat./Sun & Public Holidays 10:00 to 16:30.
Follow signs to battlefield. Open daily.
Tel: 034 212 2654

[35] Elandslaagte Battlefield* - Glencoe/Ladysmith
21 October 1899. Scene of a classic conventional battle that resulted in a staggering defeat of Gen. Koch's force. On R602 between Glencoe and Ladysmith.
Tel: 034 212 2654

[36] Siege of Ladysmith* & Wagon Hill Battlesite
2 November 1899 to 28 February 1900 (118 days). Sites in and around town. Historical walkabout from Siege Museum. Bookshop in Siege Museum. 6 January 1900. Wagon Hill, site of famous bayonet charge by Devonshire Regiment. Burgher Monument, Caesars' Camp & Military Cemetery on site.
Tel: 036 637 2992

[37] Rangeworthy Military Cemetery - Bergville/Ladysmith
On site of British field hospital. Situated below iNtabamnyama battlefield

[38] Spearman's Military Cemetery - On R600 between Ladysmith & Winterton . On site of British field hospital. Private property, obtain permission to visit site.
Tel: 036 637 2992

[39] Battle of Willow Grange* - Estcourt Area
23 November 1899. Most southern point reached by Boer forces. Battle fought between Boer and British Forces. Cmdt-Gen Piet Joubert injured and unvalided to Pretoria. South of Estcourt. Arrange visit at Fort Durnford Museum.
Tel: 036 352 3000

[40] Clouston Koppie of Remembrance - Colenso
15 December 1899. Buller's first attempt to cross Thukela River and relieve Ladysmith met with disaster at Battle of Colenso. Memorials and graves moved to this site. Was Gen. Buller's headquarters during battle of Colenso. Several brigade hospitals here during battle. Where first moving pictures of a battle were taken. On R103 outside Colenso. Open daily.
Tel: 036 637 2992

[41] Ambleside Military Cemetery - Colenso
Burial site of 5th Irish Brigade, killed in Battle of Colenso. Take Weenen/Colenso road from R103 (approaching from Estcourt) and turn left to Winterton. Follow signs. Open daily.
Tel: 036 637 2992

[42] Gun Positions - Colenso
Ten of twelve British guns used during Battle of Colenso lost to Boers under leadership of Gen. Louis Botha. Lt. Freddy Roberts, son of Lord Roberts, mortally wounded here. Marker indicates where he fell.
Tel: 036 637 2992

[43] Armoured Train Incident* - Colenso Area
Winston Churchill captured by Boer forces near site after armoured observation train was derailed by Boers. Plaque next to road, cemetery across railway line. On R103 between Estcourt and Colenso.
Tel: 036 352 6253

[44] Chieveley Military Cemetery - Colenso Area
Site of No 4 Station Hospital. Burial place of Lord Robert's son, Lt. Freddy Roberts. Follow dirt road past railway station to cemetery. On R103 between Estcourt and Colenso. Open daily.
Tel: 036 637 2992

[45] Spioenkop Battlefield* - Ladysmith/Winterton
23/24 January 1900. Most futile and bloodiest of five battles fought in effort to relieve Ladysmith. Self-guided trail with brochure available at entrance. Gandhi's stretcher-bearers did excellent work during battle. On R616 between Ladysmith and Bergville. Entrance fee payable. Open daily.
Tel: 036 637 2992

[46] Vaalkrans Battlefield* - Ladysmith/Winterton
5-7 February 1900. Forth unsuccessful attempt by Gen. Buller to relieve Ladysmith. Arrange visit through the Siege Museum in Ladysmith.
Tel: 036 637 2992

[47] Battle of Thukela Heights* - Colenso Area
12-28 February 1900. General Buller led his troops through numerous battles on the south bank of Thukela River - Hussar Hill, Cingolo Hill, Monte Christo, Hlangwane - followed by operations on north bank - Colenso Koppies, Wynne Hills, Inniskilling (Hart's Hill), Railway Hill and Pieters Hill before relieving Ladysmith. Turn off on road between Colenso/ Ladysmith towards Ezakheni/Newcastle. Graves and memorials next to road.
Tel: 036 637 2992

[48] Helpmekaar Battlesite* - Helpmekaar
13 May 1900. British forces broke through Boer line in Biggarsberg. Led to British recapturing Dundee. Remains of Boer fort on top of hill and British military cemetery (from Transvaal Warof Ind) behind police station. Open daily.
Tel: 034 212 2654

[49] Scheepersnek Battlefield* - Vryheid Area
20 May 1900. 75 Swaziland police and Vryheid burgers stationed here. During church service squaadron of Bethune's Mounted Infantry arrived unexpectedly. British forced to withdraw. 10km outside Vryheid on R33. Private farm.
Tel: 034 982 2133 ext 2271

[50] Lancaster Hill* - Vryheid
11-12 December 1900. Fortifications, gun emplacements and monument to Lt Col Gawne. Self-guided trail with brochure. Part of Vryheid Nature Reserve. Entrance fee payable. Open daily 7:00 - 18:00.
Tel: 034 982 2133 ext 2271

51] Blood River Poort Battlefield* - Vryheid Area
Tel: 034 982 2133 ext 2271. 17 September 1901. Battle to prevent Louis Botha's second effort to invade Natal. Boer counterattack resulted in loss of 16 British officers, 273 men and 3 guns in 10 minutes. On D251. Signposted, after 8km, turn towards farm Goedgeloof. Walk to graves, 1km along road on right side, cross over fence.

52] Fort Prospect* - Babanango Area
25 September 1900. Outpost manned by 80 British soldiers, attacked by 400 Boers. Boers eventually forced to withdraw.

[53] Ithala* - Babanango Area
Attacking Boer force beaten off by determined British counter attack during Gen. Louis Botha's second invasion of Natal.
Tel: 035 870 0552

[54] Botha's Pass* - Newcastle Area .
Pass captured by General Buller on 8 June 1900. Opened route for British advance into Orange Free State. Remains of Boer trenches.
55 Allemans Nek* - 10 June 1900. Volksrust Area Tel: 017 734 6100
British forces broke through into Transvaal.
Tel: 034 315 3318

[56] Holkrans Battlefield* - Vryheid Area
6 May 1902. 56 Burghers killed in surprise attack by Zulu Impis on Zuinguin mountain. Between Vryheid and Paulpietersburg.
Tel: 034 982 2133 ext 2271

[57] British Soldiers Memorial - Volksrust
Cross shaped memorial in honour of British soldiers who died during battles around Volksrust. On Northern side of Volksrust.
Tel: 017 734 6100

[58] Birthplace of General Louis Botha - Greytown
Born 1862. Eighth of 13 children. Acting Commandant-General of the elected ZAR forces. Distinguishing himself at Colenso and Spioenkop. Became first Prime Minister of Union of South Africa in 1910.
Tel: 034 331 3613

[59] Pokrowski Memorial - Utrecht
25 December 1900. Memorial to Polish officer in Russian army, fighting for Boers, killed in skirmish.
Tel: 034 331 3613

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BHAMBATHA REBELLION 1906
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[62] Ambush Rock* - Greytown
Police column sent to collect two women and a child from Marshall's Hotel and storekeeper's wife from Keate's Drift. Ambushed en-route to Greytown. Four policemen killed. More information in Greytown Museum.
Tel: 033 413 1171

[63] Bhambatha 1906 Police Memorial* - Greytown
4 April 1906. Memorial to four policemen including, Trooper Aston and his dog, which was killed at his side, at Ambush Rock.
Tel: 033 413 1171

[64] Mome Gorge* - Nkandla area
10th June 1906. Scene of battle that broke the back of the Rebellion. 575 rebels and three colonial soldiers killed. No signage, very remote, not suitable for vehicles. Visit only with tour guide and tribal permission.
Tel 035 474 1141

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REBELLION OF LANGALIBALELE 1873
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[65] Cabineers' Grave* - Giant's Castle Reserve.
Scene of first action by Natal Carbineers - Bushman's River Pass 4 November 1873. - against amaHlubi attempting to flee into Lesotho. Visit involve a long, strenuous and steep climb to the Drakensberg escarpment. Entrance fee. Ezemvelo/KwaZulu-Natal Wildlife times of entry apply. Toilets, curios.

[66] Rock 75* - Giant's Castle Reserve.
Large '75' enscribed by 75th Regiment on boulder en-route to San Cave. Entrance fee.
Ezemvelo/KwaZulu-Natal Wildlife times of entry apply. Toilets, curios.


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PLACES OF INTEREST:

[67] Fort Dumford* - Estcourt
Tel 036 352 3000. Erected shortly after the Langalibalele Rebellion to counter raiding San (Bushmen). Magnificent stone structure overlooking the town. Houses a fine museum. Toilets.

[68] Fort Amiel* - Newcastle
Tel 034 315 3318. Constructed by men of the 80th Regiment after the Battle of Isandlwana. Used extensively during Transvaal War of Independence and Anglo-Boer War. Military graves situated nearby. Toilets.

[69] Ghost Mountain*
After the Anglo-Zulu War, Zululand was divided into 13 regions, each ruled by insignificant individuals, many of whom had shown some form of loyalty to the British during the War. It was a recipe for disaster and a civil war raged throughout Zululand between 1883 and 1888. One of the bloodiest battles fought during this period was at eTshaneni (Ghost Mountain) near Mkhuze on the 5th June 1884.



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