Hi Waterloo
There will be a Zululand Tour in March 2017 , it will also be run by Ian Knight & Paul Marais on behalf of Cultural Experience Tours , I think that's what the company is called ? . from memory it's around March 24th - 6 th April , if I find the link , Scroll down to near the end of the page ? .
Cheers 90th
The Zulu and Boer Wars
Napoleon In Germany
The Napoleonic Legend
Wellington in India
Austerlitz: Napoleon's Masterpiece
Minsk & Belarus
The Retreat to Corunna
Wellington in Portugal
Sharpe's Peninsula
Wellington in Spain
Wellington over the Pyrenees
A Near Run Thing
Walking Waterloo
American Civil War: Eastern Theater
American Civil War: Southern Heartland
Walking Gettysburg
The Austro-Prussian War 1866
Custer & The Indian Wars
The Indian Mutiny
The Zulu War
The Classic Western Front Tour
Walking the Somme
The Gallipoli Campaign
Lawrence of Arabia
The Battle of Verdun 1916
The First Day of the Somme 1916
The Last Days of The Somme
Italy in the First World War
The Battle of Arras Centenary
Spanish Civil War
Operation Mercury
Burma - The Road Past Mandalay
Fortress Malta
The Eastern Front 1941 - 1943
The Holocaust
William the Conqueror
Hadrian & the Roman Army in the North
Marlborough - The First Churchill
The Zulu War
The Washing of the Spears
This fascinating study of the Anglo-Zulu War takes us to ground that has hardly changed since the memorable events of the period, all set amongst spectacular scenery still populated by Zulu tribes and an abundance of wildlife. As well as visiting the battle sites of Isandalwana, Rorke’s Drift and others that have gone down in British military folklore, we will be discussing the men, armies and tactics of both sides, their problems, successes and failures. We will be in the very capable hands of Ian Knight whose latest book Zulu Rising received great critical acclaim and adds to his body of meticulously researched books on the war and on Zulu culture.
But this is much more than ‘just’ a battlefield tour: Ian has been visiting South Africa for more than 30 years and knows the ground and its people well. We will be staying in comfortable lodges, and have ample opportunity to observe the local people and customs as well as participating in a game drive featuring many of Africa’s best loved animals such as the elephant, rhino, giraffe, zebra, leopard and antelope.
After many years we believe we now have the definitive Zulu War tour nicely balanced with cultural experience – led by an expert who is both an enthusiastic guide and very good company.
First annexed by Britain in the Napoleonic Wars, the Cape of Good Hope was a vital position on the route to the Far East, but South Africa never rivalled India in importance within the Empire. And yet the battles between Queen Victoria's red-coated battalions and the lightly armed Zulu forces have remained vibrant in the memory of both adversaries as few other imperial events have done.
In 1879, with Britain at the height of her imperial power, Lord Chelmsford's three columns marched into Zululand on a punitive expedition to teach the Zulu King Cetshwayo a lesson. Two equally professional armies with totally different fighting traditions and weapons met and fought with startling results. At Isandhlwana the Zulus inflicted the most humiliating defeat of the Victorian era on the over-confident British battalions. Yet hours later the small number of determined and well-led defenders at Rorke's Drift drove off repeated Zulu attacks and captured the public’s admiration. In the end the rifle inevitably triumphed over the spear. It is a story of arrogance and determination, traditions and innovations, but above all amazing individual bravery on both sides. The old Zulu nation was destroyed – but at the cost of a significant dent to British military prestige.
What you said:
"The tour was very well rounded. Not strictly military history, but predominantly so. There is great intelligence and talent behind this tour company".
Day 1 - Depart.
Overnight flight from London to Johannesburg.
Day 2 - Durban.
Internal flight to Durban. The Southern column: The Ultimatum Tree and Fort Pearson, high above the Tugela River. Overnight in Princes Grant on the Indian Ocean Coast.
Day 3 - The Battlefields of Gingindlovu and Inyezane.
Drive up to the mission station at Eshowe, converted to a fort by the men of Pearson's column. Lunch at Fort Nongqayi. Overnight at Shakaland with Zulu dancing after dinner.
Day 4 - Shakaland.
We drive deep into Zulu country to visit Cetshwayo's grave. After lunch at Shakaland we are introduced to the culture and customs of the Zulu people.
Day 5 - Ulundi, the final battle of the Zulu War.
We visit the royal homestead at Ondini. Picnic lunch before moving on to Ithala Game Reserve.
Day 6 - Ntombi Spruit.
With time to walk around this little known action - wade across and explore both sides! We re-join Wood's column at Hlobane to hear about the confusion and tragedy on the mountain.
Day 7 - Hlobane Mountain.
If you are fit enough you can make an early start and walk right across Hlobane Mountain and down the Devil's Pass. For the less adventurous there are pleasant walks around the camp and time to relax. A game drive in the afternoon amid spectacular views.
Day 8 - Kambula.
We explore the battlefield of Kambula and contrast the success there with the shambles of Hlobane.
Day 9 - Isandlwana.
Travel by way of Blood River to the memorial to the death of the Prince Imperial. On to Isandlwana for a 4 night stay at the beautiful lodge overlooking the iconic mountain, with the battlefield spread out below you.
Day 10 & 11 - Battle of Isandlwana.
During these two days we hear the full story of the Battle of Isandlwana, including the Ngwabeni Valley and the spur where the Zulu commander controlled his regiments' attacks. There is time to visit the outpost line and the memorial to the artillery; Black's Koppie, Younghusband's plateau and Durnford's Donga. We drive out to the hills where Lord Chelsmford took half his force to look for the Zulu army. You can follow the Fugitive's Trail if you are fit enough and the river is not too high, or hear the story from the heights above the river at Fugitives Drift where we visit the memorial to Coghill and Melville.
Day 12 - Rorke's Drift.
A full day at Rorke's Drift and there is much to see. Down at the Buffalo River crossing, and at the mission station the great story will be enthrallingly told by Ian as the great climax to the dramatic events of 1879.
Day 13 - Johnannesburg.
Return to Johannesburg with lunch en-route. Overnight return flight to London.
Day 14 - Arrive.
Early morning arrival at London Heathrow.
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