| Against
the backdrop of historic landmarks and events,
our visitors experience the freedom and
challenge of outdoor activities accompanied
by experienced instructors and/or specialist
guides.
Participants can expect
to:
· walk
in the magnificent Drakensberg mountains
with it's peaks towering to over 3000 m
· overnight
in a cave
· horseback
riding in the very hoof prints of the Victorian
soldiers
· walk
up Spioenkop, one of the bloodiest battlefields
of the KwaZulu-Natal battlefields
· abseil
· spend
a day river rafting, or kloofing if the
river is down
· kayak training
in still and river water
· hikes
on battlefield routes |
|
Day One:
Collect at Durban Airport and
drive to warmly hospitable accommodation on a
working farm outside the town of Dundee, northern
KwaZulu-Natal. Presentation on the background
to the Anglo-Zulu War of 1879.
Day Two (Anglo-Zulu War):
Walk the path of G Coy 24th from
their base at Helpmekaar down to Rorke’s
Drift on 24th January 1879 following the old wagon
track. Stop for lunch and a breather at the lodge
at the foot of the plateau and continue to the
mission station at Rorke’s Drift for an
account of the famous defence of the military
depot there by a handful of British soldiers against
several thousand Zulu warriors. Accommodation
as last night. Walking time 11/2 hours, distance
approx 6 km, altitude drop 1400m - 1220m. Terrain
down hill, uneven.
Day Three (Anglo-Zulu
War):
Follow, on foot, the route taken
by Lord Chelmsford, Commander in Chief of the
British army, and the central British column as
they entered Zululand to crush the might of Cetswayo,
king of the Zulus. The route followed is again
the old wagon track, this time crossing the Buffalo
River at Rorke's Drift and continuing on to Isandlwana.
Picnic lunch at interpretative
centre, followed by an Account of battle of Isandlwana,
standing amongst the graves of the thousand or
more British soldiers who died there. Accommodation
as last night.
Walking time 41/2hours, distance
approx 14 km, altitude rise 1100 m - 1220m. Terrain
undulating, worn foot paths. Shallow river crossing
Day four (Anglo-Boer
War):
Introduction to Anglo-Boer War
of 1899 - 1902, at Talana Museum, Dundee, followed
by a short walk up the Talana Hill for an account
of the first set piece battle of that war. Drive
to Ladysmith for lunch, the town that held world
attention for 118 days while it was under siege
by the Boer forces. Afternoon spent at the Siege
Museum and visiting other places of interest.
Drive to fresh accommodation
in colonial style lodge with views overlooking
nearby game reserve. Evening talk.
Day five (Anglo-Boer
War):
Follow the route taken by the
British soldiers for the night attack on the Boer
positions on Spioenkop on 23 Jan 1900. Picnic
lunch on the summit and account of the action
on that day. Return to the lodge by different
route. Accommodation as previous night.
Walking time 4 hours. Distance
approx. 10 km. Altitude change 1200m - 1465m -
1040m
Day six
Drive back to Durban for onward
plans, visiting the site of the capture of Winston
Churchill and stopping for lunch in the Midlands.
Also available:
Independent self-drive tours where walkers
are accompanied by local field guides. Specialist
guides to give an account of the military action
at various sites can also be arranged.
| The ultimate
history experience
One Day visit to the KZN
Battlefields
Campaign Trails offer a
time saving way of seeing the best of the
historic and dramatic battlefields relating
to the defence and relief of Ladysmith,
KZN. |
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Meet aircraft at Virginia Airport
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Fly from Durban to Ladysmith –
the Siege Town
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On arrival coffee and a short presentation
of the overall history of the conflict of
1899 - 1902 |
Town Hall & Siege
Museum
| · |
After the brief presentation we
take a drive up Murchison Street to the Town
Hall and Siege Museum
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View the life and times of Ladysmith
many years ago
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We then take a short drive to Observation
Hill and see where the troops kept lookout
for their relief during their containment
at the hills of the Tugela Line |
Spioenkop
| · |
From Observation Hill we drive to
Spioenkop and enjoy a picnic lunch while listening
to the account of the fighting between the
Boers and the British
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We return to the airport via Wagon
Hill if time allows, the site fiercely contested
in January 1900 and where the British were
awarded five VC’s
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Our return flight passes over Colenso,
which was fought over twice, and ends back
at Virginia Airport. |
The excursion will be subject
to weather conditions.
Option: stay overnight at a comfortable
lodge and have a full 1H30 flight around the battlefields
early in the morning, returning to Virginia at
lunchtime.
| From a
permanent base that can accommodate up to
Company strength, Adventure Training of
Hiking, Kayak and Abseil are carried out
in the shadow of the battlefields of the
South African War. These historic engagemenst
of 1899-1902 offer stimulating lessons of
courage, leadership and organisation.
Associated visits to the
game reserves and the Indian Ocean at Durban
complement memorable overseas training. |
|
Adventure Training
Hikes around the peaks of the
Drakensberg which rise to over 3000m - parties
sleep in caves.
Abseil descent on a natural rock face of 45m
Kayak training on still water
Scuba diving on major reef with fully certified
instruction
River rafting excursions and Horse riding
Battlefield Visits
The trails on the battlefields
include the ascent of Spioenkop, march to Rorke’s
Drift and the Tugela line; walks on rough terrain
on the history trail.
We specialise in drawing the lessons of history
and applying them to command situations in a contemporary
setting:-
The Zulu War of 1879 historic sites of Rorke’s
Drift, Isandlwana, Khambula and Hlobane
South African War of 1899 –1902;
Boer defence of the Tugela line including the
battles of Colenso, Spioenkop, Vaalkranz; Pieter’s
Hill and the relief of Ladysmith and its siege.
Sports
The Ladysmith Swartkop Challenge
offers leadership development and team building
during The Ladysmith Siege Weekend. See: www.swartkopchallenge.com
Your group can try their strength
and skill with the 1898 gun as part of their battlefield
experience at any time, in Ladysmith.
Rugby teams are welcomed to play
against keen exponents.
Game Viewing
All visitors to South Africa
should take the opportunity of seeing wildlife
in its natural habitat; options include managed
hunting for trophies
Other Historic Venues
Travel to other locations with
a historic theme:- Kimberley; Pretoria; Cape Town;
Durban; Johannesburg.
RECENT SUCCESSFUL TRIPS
for:- Royal Green Jackets; Royal Higland Fusiliers;
Q Battery 5 RA; Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders;
101 Engr Regt (EOD); HMS Collingwood; QUOTC; Devonport
FG Team; Irish Guards; 2nd Bn Royal Scots; MSUOTC.
| Programme
outline
Friday evening
Arrive at accommodation
at Buller’s Rest, Ladysmith
History presentation briefing with maps
of routes for Sat and Sun
Saturday morning
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|
Depart with packed lunches for
Vaalkranz memorial ground; Trail to Potgieter’s
Bridge; lunch on Brackfontein; trail below Swartkop;
the access road to the base of the Gunslide on
Swartkop. On foot to top of Swartkop (absolutely
no vehicles are to attempt to mount the gunslide);
across Skiet Drift and return to Ladysmith
Saturday evening
Braai at Buller’s Rest.
Evening review and history lecture; brief for
Sunday.
Sunday morning
Drive up track to top of Bulwana
to find site of Long Tom gun that shelled Ladysmith;
to Wagon Hill; lunch at Platrand Lodge.
Sunday afternoon
Disperse
Prices: Please
enquire; as price varies with number of participants
and season.
Terms: 50% with booking; balance
at least 7 days prior to arrival.
Route: Rights are reserved to
alter route depending on weather conditions, river
level or local factors
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