South Africa · Battlefield Tours

Isandlwana & Rorkes Drift Battlefields Day Tour

14 Hours Round trip from Emangidini Easy pace

The journey

Trip highlights
  • 01 Visit Isandlwana Battlefield and Museum
  • 02 Explore the historic site of Rorke’s Drift
  • 03 See Fugitives Drift and the Queens Colours memorial
  • 04 Learn about key events of the Anglo-Zulu War
  • 05 Full-day battlefield tour from Durban
  • 06 Discover museums, memorials, and historic battlefields

Travel north from Durban into KwaZulu-Natal’s historic battlefield region on a full-day journey through some of the most significant sites of the Anglo-Zulu War. Visit museums, memorials, and battlefields that bring the events of 1879 to life, with stops at Isandlwana, Rorke’s Drift, Fugitives Drift, and the Queens Colours memorial.

Learn about the dramatic Battle of Isandlwana, where the Zulu Kingdom dealt a major defeat to the British Empire, and continue to Rorke’s Drift, where a much smaller British force held its ground in one of the war’s most famous engagements. This tour offers a powerful introduction to the history, scale, and legacy of these remarkable battle sites.

The British Empire experienced a severe defeat at the Battle of Isandlwana losing over 1700 soldiers at the hands of a Zulu army numbering 20 000.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 14 Hours
Tour type Shared
Activity level Easy
Accommodation Not included
Transport Not included
Wheelchair access Not applicable
Cities Durban, Isandlwana battlefield, Rorke's drift battlefield
Languages English, French, Greek, Polish, Portuguese

Day by day

The itinerary

1
Day 01

Battlefields Day Tour

his day tour travels to the north of KwaZulu-Natal where to visit famous sites of the battlefields. There you will encounter museums, memorials and fields dedicated to the Anglo Zulu wars.  

The first stop is the Isandlwana Battlefield and Museum. In early January 1879, the British Empire invaded Zululand furthering their colonial expansionist agenda of Southern Africa. The local Zulu Kingdom responded with a well-coordinated attack at the Battle of Isandlwana that surprised the British. This historic battle, which was documented as being ruthless and bloody is seen by historians as the start of Anglo-Zulu War. The British Empire experienced a severe defeat at the Battle of Isandlwana losing over 1700 soldiers at the hands of a Zulu army numbering 20 000. The Zulu warriors outnumbered the British troops greatly even though they who had superior weapons in comparison to the spears and leather shields the Zulus used.  

The tour progresses to the Battle of Rorke's Drift which also occurred on January 22nd 1879 after the Battle of Isandlwana and continued into the following day. The Defence of Rorke's Drift was smaller in numbers than the Battle of Isandlwana with the British numbering at an estimated 150 and the Zulu’s at 3000 – 4000 fighters. The British troops managed to hold off the Zulu warriors and secure a victory.  

The last stop is Fugitives Drift and the Queens Colours memorial before we make the journey back to Durban. 

Tour Itinerary 

· Isandlwana battlefield and museum 

· Rorke’s Drift battlefield and museum 

· Figitives Drift battlefield and museum 

· Queens Colours monument. 

The route

Where you'll travel

Tour route map
Round trip from Emangidini 3 cities · 14 Hours

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

  • Professional and knowledgeable tour guide

What's Not Included

  • Food and drinks, however opportunity is provided to buy something to eat

Know before you go

  • Confirmation will be received within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability
  • DEPARTURE/RETURN LOCATION: Pickup & drop off service with in a 5km radius of 1st Zulu Safaris office at Gooderson Tropicana Hotel, 85 OR Tambo Parade, Durban. If you are out of our pickup radius, special arrangements can be made to pick you up at your location of choice
    DEPARTURE TIME: 06:00 AM
    RETURN TIME: 07:00 PM
    WEAR: Comfortable clothing and shoes, hat, sunscreen, jacket.
    LOCATION: Dundee, Isandlwana, Rorkes Drift, KwaZulu-Natal
    AGE: All ages welcome
    DATES: All year round
    TRAVELLER TYPE: Single or Per Person Sharing
  • You are looking for Battlefield Site Tour
  • You want to experience and learn about the Battlefields of KwaZulu-Natal.
  • Hotel pickups commence prior to this time, you must verify your exact pickup time.
  • Prices vary by group size and are priced per person, per your booking for your group
  • ON REQUEST: Specialist Historical Tour guide can be arranged with an extra cost

Logistics

Meeting & route

Meeting point
Emangidini, ZA
Tour start
Emangidini, ZA
Tour ends at the same location as the start point.
End of the journey

Your 14 hours finish where they began, in Emangidini.

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