The Stories of the KwaZulu Natal Battlegrounds
For nearly the whole of the nineteenth century, many of the most ferocious battles in history were fought between Zulu, Briton and Boer for the control of the land and sovereignty. Many of these were concentrated in an immense battleground that extends from the Drakensberg Mountains, north to Volksrust and east into Zululand, spanning plains of superb natural beauty that offer considerably more than simply just well-known battlefield locations to the tourist.
It is almost impossible to comprehend that this beautiful and now peaceful land once rang with the fierce struggle. Rather, the hills, valleys and ridges now echo with the call of wildlife, an fantastic array of birdlife or are merely breathtakingly peaceful, allowing tourists to soak up the undeniable atmosphere.
From straightforward, comfortable camp sites to exclusive private game ranches, lodging is on hand to satisfy every taste, standard and budget, in addition to a variety of pursuits as wide as the plains for which the region is celebrated. White water rafting, mountain biking, abseiling, 4×4 trails, horse riding and hiking are some of the choices available to the more daring, whereas those searching for other pursuits can indulge in a few holes of golf at several different 9 and 18-hole courses, casino thrills or the opportunity to try their fishing skills.
The rugged beauty of the terrain is dotted with evidence of the violent past, which include haunting memorials on the plains of Isandlwana, where the Zulu army demolished over 1,000 British soldiers, gravestones at Fort Pearson and the monument at Spion Kop, undoubtedly one of the most fiercely fought battles of the Anglo-Boer War.
The site of the notorious Battle of Blood River by Voortrekker and Zulu is home to the Ncome Museum, where the background of the Zulu people is presented. The museum and genuine laager reconstruction memorial provide an amazing alternative interpretation of the battle, both in their accounts recorded and in the style by which they commemorate those who fought here. The spot of the Battle of Rorke’s Drift between the British and Zulu is much unchanged since that bloody battle with stone walls designed to defend the British still relatively intact.
Quite a few monuments and well-preserved artifacts give a good backdrop to an area where re-enactments of the Colonial-era wars between British troops and Zulu warriors, enable modern day visitors to discover the bloody dramas with almost frightening reality. Experienced guides bring their own personal touch in terms of information, emotion and historical interest to the battles in contrast to the normally stark visual landscape.
