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South African
Anglo-Boer-Zulu Battlefields
"A journey of a 1000 miles starts with the first step"
we have all year round escorted Battlefields Tours
South African Battlefields Tours and Military History
- Bringing to life South African History and Battlefields of the
early Voortrekker's with the battle of Blood River
of 1838 when Andries Pretorius confronted the Zulu King Dingaan,
the Anglo-Zulu Battlefields of Isandhlwana -
the biggest single defeat ever inflicted on a modern British
army against the spears of the Zulu impi, Fugitives
Drift of Melville and Coghill who died while trying to save the
Queens colours, the 11 VC's at Rorkes Drift of
the 24 "B" coy Welsh Borderers & the Ulundi Battlefield
and the final defeat of King Cetshwayo and the mighty Zulu Empire
on the 4 July 1879.
In 1880 after the Boers in Pretoria rebelled
against British interference in the Transvaal,
Majuba (the Hill of Doves) on the Natal border was the place when
on the 27 February 1881 Gen Colley was mortally wounded, forcing
the British to sign a peace treaty, first at O'Neill's cottage
and later at Hilldrop House Newcastle. "Remember Majuba"
was the rallying cry by the British forces some 18 years later
during the second Anglo-Boer War of 1899 - 1902. After the battle
of Paardeberg 27 February 1900 and the surrender of Piet Cronje
with his 4000 burghers, President Paul Kruger
who was nearby at Poplar Grove, on hearing the bad news placed
his head into his hands and was heard muttering "they have
taken away my Majuba Day".
On the 11 October 1899 the day after Paul Kruger's birthday,
the little Boer Republic of the Transvaal declared war against
the Might of the British Empire. We have tours to the Battlefields
of Talana, Colenso, Spioenkop, the siege town
of Ladysmith, Winston Churchill's armoured train
ambush and capture site as well as his Pretoria prison and the
British HQ of Melrose House - the signing of the peace accord
of 31 May 1902.
After the fall of Pretoria on the 5 June 1900
we trace Botha's retreat into the old "Eastern Transvaal"
with the Battlefield of Dalmanutha, being recognized as the last
of the formal battles and the beginning of the Guerrilla phase,
Belfast and the grave yard, Lydenberg, Long Tom Pass and the "Long
Tom Gun" site as well as Paul Kruger's last residence
in South Africa before he departed for Europe to muster support
for the Boer cause in October 1900.
Battlefields
Time Line
Anglo-Zulu of KwaZulu-Natal 1879
Anglo-Boer of KwaZulu-Natal 1899 - 1902
Anglo-Boer-Zulu of KwaZulu-Natal 1879 & 1899-1902
Anglo-Boer of Eastern Transvaal 1899 - 1902
Anglo-Boer Siege Towns of Ladysmith, Kimberley
& Mafekeng 1899 - 1902
Anglo-Boer Day Tours 1899 - 1902
Battlefields Time Line
Anglo - Zulu war 1879
11 Jan - Glynn's #3 Column crosses into Zulu
Land.
22 Jan - Battle of Isandhlwana - #2 column under
Durnford returns from Middle Drift, about 20,000 Zulu's against
a British force of 1,400 British. (1,000+400 native)
22-23 Jan - Rourks Drift - (11 VC's) 137 soldiers,
Welsh Border's, Lt John Rouse Marriard Chard of Royal Engineers,
Bromhead s post of local Swedish missionary Otto Witt, under the
command of Maj Spalding. At Fugitives Drift a handful of survivors
cross the Buffalo River to reach safety, Lt Coghill & Melville
died here while saving the Queens colours, graves on site.
2 Feb - Fort Eshowe -- 6,000 Zulu's besiege
#1 column under Col Pearson and cut off all supplies and communications.
12 March - Ntombe Drift -- #5 column under Capt
Moriarty attacked by a superior Zulu force and successfully defended
the position.
28 March - Hlobane -- #4 column under Col Wood
with Buller defeated by the Zulu's. Wood retires to Kambula.
29 March - Kambula -- 25,000 Zulu's attacked
Wood's fortified position and successfully repelled. Battle started
at 13h30 and repelled 17h30, Zulu's pursued by horsemen until
dark, turning point of the war.
2 April - Ginginhlovu -- Zulu's attack the relief
force.
3 April - British relief force reached Eshowe.
1 June -Start of second invasion into Zululand
- Prince Imperial -- Louis Napoleon killed during
a skirmish, two British officer's accused of deserting him.
4 July - Ulundi, Zulu's finally defeated.
Anglo - Boer war 1899 - 1902
February 1900
5-7 Feb Buller's attempt # 3 to relieve Ladysmith
Buller known as "The Ferry Man of the Tugela"
and "Reverse Buller"
Battle of Vaal Krantz, (Zwart Koppie's) captured and then evacuated,
30 Kms of Boer trenches.
6 Feb The Long Tom (the muzzle was damaged at
Gun Hill) now known as "Die Jood" or The Short Tom, was repaired
in Pretoria and is now positioned on Kamfers Dam Mine Tailings.
7 Feb Short Tom starts a bombardment of Kimberley
from Kamfers Dam Mine tailings
9 Feb CJR threatens to surrender Kimberley,
Kekwich informed to arrest him if required, George Labram is killed
by the Good Night Shell while he was dressing for dinner. He was
responsible for the discoverer of the "Grease Table" with FB Kirsten
a) He designed and fitted out 4 armoured trains. b) Converted
the head gear for use as a conning tower. c) Connected the towers
by telephone to various positions around the town. d) Designed
the search light platforms. e) Designed and setup the new water
system from the Wesselton Mine to the town. f) Planned the Cold
Storage facility. g) Designed and built the "Long Cecil" h) Manufactured
shells for the "Long Cecil"
11 Feb - Roberts begins his great flank march
to the North
14 Feb - Start of Buller's 4th attempt to relieve
Ladysmith, The Battle of Tugela Heights
15 Feb - Relieve of Kimberley by French circling
from the east using a classic cavalry charge over Reit and Modder
Rivers (104 days) Broadwood - formerly relieves
Kimberley British provisions for 140,000 men in 170 wagons & 3000
oxen at Riet & Modder Rivers taken by De Wet @ Waterval Drift.
16 Feb - Roberts moves HQ to Jacobsdal French
finds Cronje's laager stretching six miles, includes woman and
children
17 Feb - Robert's first proclamation
18 Feb - Battle of Paardeberg, North bank on
Modder Rivier, Cronje's wagon laager halted, 10 Kms long, Kitchener
orders frontal attack, 2,200 British killed, the most ever died
in Battle while under Kitchener's command, Roberts was ill at
the time, Roberts later stops the suicides.
27 Feb (Majuba Day) Paardeberg @ 06h00 Surrender
of Cronje with 4000 men to Roberts. De Wet takes Oskoppies (now
Kitchener's Koppie) south of Cronje on the Modder River to make
his escape, Cronje refuses and De Wet was forced to retire. Danie
Theron establishes communications across the Modder River with
Boers. Kitchener critised for using a frontal attack causing unnecessary
British causalities. Kruger on hearing the news states "They
have taken my Majuba Day away" Cronje & his wife where
both sent to St Helena.
28 Feb - Buller's final attempt # 4 Battle
of Tugela Heights (also know as Colenso, Harts
Hill & Pieter's Hill) Boers retreated under heavy pressure, Siege
lasted 118 Days
Battlefields
Time Line
Anglo-Zulu of KwaZulu-Natal 1879
Anglo-Boer of KwaZulu-Natal 1899 - 1902
Anglo-Boer-Zulu of KwaZulu-Natal 1879 & 1899-1902
Anglo-Boer of Eastern Transvaal 1899 - 1902
Anglo-Boer Siege Towns of Ladysmith, Kimberley
& Mafekeng 1899 - 1902
Anglo-Boer Day Tours 1899 - 1902
Anglo-Zulu Battlefields of 1879
Bringing to life the history of the Zulu Battlefields of KwaZulu-Natal,
including the Boer-Zulu Battlefield of Blood River when
Andries Pretorius successfully defended an attack on the wagon
laager by an overwhelming Zulu force. The Anglo-Zulu Battlefields
of Isandhlwana with the biggest ever defeat of a modern
British army against the spears of a Zulu impi,
Rorkes Drift when 11 VC's were awarded to the 24th B coy
Welsh Borderers, and Fugitives Drift when Melville and
Coghill died saving the Queen's colours in Jan 1879. Traveling
east we visit the Zulu capital of Ulundi and the memorial
to the fallen of both sides leading to the total defeat of the
mighty Zulu empire on 4 July 1879. From Ulundi we we can visit
the old British fort at the Norwegian mission station. The tour
can be extended into the Hluhluwe/Umfolozi game reserve
and a chance of seeing the BIG 5, and take a Durban City
tour. Tours are from and to Johannesburg/Pretoria, other starting
points and destinations can be arranged to suite your itinerary.
Anglo-Zulu Battlefields (1879)
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3 day (2 night) Battlefields
of KwaZulu-Natal, including the Zulu Battlefields
of Isandhlwana with the biggest ever
defeat of a modern British army against
the spears of a Zulu impi, and Rorkes
Drift when 11 VC's were awarded to the
24th "B" coy Welsh Borderers,
and Fugitives Drift when Melville
and Coghill died saving the Queen's colours
in Jan 1879.
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4 day (3 nights) As above - South
African history of the early Voortrekker's and the battle
of Blood River of 1838 when Andries
Pretorius confronted the Zulu King Dingaan.
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6 day (5 night) As above, the tour
can be extended to visit the Zulu capital of Ulundi
and the memorial to the fallen of both sides leading
to the total defeat of the mighty Zulu empire on 4 July
1879 with 2 nights in the Hluhluwe/Umfolozi Game
reserve and an opportunity of seeing the BIG 5.
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7 day (6 night) As above, we visit
the old British fort at the Norwegian mission station
where Col Pearson's #1 column was pinned
down by about 6000 Zulu
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9 day (8 night) Take a Durban
City tour and visit the old Victorian spice market.
Includes accommodations and meals, return transfers Johannesburg /
Pretoria, other starting points and destinations can be arranged
to suit your itinerary.
The tours can
be customised to suit clients interests.
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Battlefields
Time Line
Anglo-Zulu of KwaZulu-Natal 1879
Anglo-Boer of KwaZulu-Natal 1899 - 1902
Anglo-Boer-Zulu of KwaZulu-Natal 1879 & 1899-1902
Anglo-Boer of Eastern Transvaal 1899 - 1902
Anglo-Boer Siege Towns of Ladysmith, Kimberley
& Mafekeng 1899 - 1902
Anglo-Boer Day Tours 1899 - 1902
Anglo-Boer Battlefields
of the old Eastern Transvaal
(1899-1900)
The Breaker & Peter Handcock's final resting place
After the fall of Pretoria 5 June 1900 we trace the footsteps
of the Boer army through parts of the old Eastern Transvaal of
the ZAR. Starting in the capital of South Africa Pretoria;
we visit one of the Boer Forts built after the Jameson
Raid in 1896, Winston Churchill's prison, Paul
Kruger house, Breaker Morant and the British
HQ of Melrose House and the signing of the peace treaty on
the 31 May 1902. Traveling towards the old Eastern Transvaal we
see the Battle site of Diamond Hill (June 1900) and visit
Bergendal (Aug 1900) being acknowledged as the last of
the formal battles and the start of the Guerrilla phase, and
Long Tom Pass where you can still see one of the old wagon
routes used by the early pioneers like Percy Fitzpatrick,
and where Botha managed to extricate his men and the Long Toms.
We also visit the Long Tom Gun site on this famous pass
while listening to the story of Botha's retreat. Traveling through
Belfast we visit the grave yard where amongst others lay
British Soldiers, onto Dullstroom and Lydenburg.
Our journey will also take us to the last residence in South
Africa of the old ZAR President "Paul Kruger" (1825-1904).
Anglo-Boer Battlefields of
the old Transvaal. (1899 - 1902)
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3 day (2 night) tour of
the old South African Republic (ZAR) is
ideal for people who enjoy travel, relaxation
and history. After 100 years the Anglo-Boer
war still evokes passion from both Boer
and Brit alike.
On our journey we visit one of the Forts guarding Pretoria,
Voortrekker Monument of the early pioneers, Winston
Churchill's Pretoria prison, Breaker Morant, Union Buildings
& the British HQ of Melrose House.
Traveling towards the old Eastern Transvaal we see the
Battle site of Diamond Hill and visit Bergendal and
Long Tom Pass where you can still see one of the old
wagon routes used by the early pioneers like Percy Fitzpatrick,
we also visit the Long Tom Gun site
on this famous pass while listening to the story of
Botha's retreat. Traveling through Belfast
we visit the grave yard where amongst others lay British
Soldiers, then onto Dullstroom and Lydenburg. We also
visit the last residence in South Africa of the old
ZAR President Paul Kruger (1825-1904).
On this tour we travel about 1000 kms.
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4 days + extended tour to the Kruger
Park. The above tour can be extended to include
visiting the Kruger National Park, Pilgrims Rest, Blyderiver
Canyon, Gods Window, Mac Mac, Berlyn and Lisbon
falls on the upper meander of the scenic panoramic route
before returning to Jo 'Burg.
Includes accommodations and meals, return transfers Johannesburg /
Pretoria, other starting points and destinations can be arranged
to suit your itinerary.
The tours can be customised to suit
clients interests.
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Battlefields
Time Line
Anglo-Zulu of KwaZulu-Natal 1879
Anglo-Boer of KwaZulu-Natal 1899 - 1902
Anglo-Boer-Zulu of KwaZulu-Natal 1879 & 1899-1902
Anglo-Boer of Eastern Transvaal 1899 - 1902
Anglo-Boer Siege Towns of Ladysmith, Kimberley
& Mafekeng 1899 - 1902
Anglo-Boer Day Tours 1899 - 1902
Anglo-Boer Battlefields
of KwaZulu-Natal (1899 - 1902)
Departing from Jo'burg we travel south towards "Ladysmith
to visit the the killing field of Spionkop
to take a tour of the Battlefield and explain
the events that took place which involved such people
as Winston Churchill and Mohandas Karamchand
Gandhi. Starting at the Royal Hotel
Ladysmith we visit the Siege Museum with its
excellent diorama of the Ladysmith field of operation,
a short distance away is All Saints Church
which displays the roll of honour of over 3000 names
of British soldiers and sailors together with the
regiments that they served with. To the north west
of the town we visit the site of Whites HQ
with a commanding view of the area. Leaving Ladysmith
we visit the Churchill memorial to see the
armoured train ambush site which led to the
capture of young Winston on 15 November 1899, and
his Pretoria Prison. Making our way to the
Clouston Military Cemetery and visit the
Gun site where the Boers captured 10 artillery
guns from the British at the Battle of Colenso
(15 Dec 1899). One of the accommodations is on
the Battlefield of Trenchgula near Nicholson's
Nek, also know as the Battle of Ladysmith,
we can also visit the Battlefields of Platrand
(Wagon Hill). On our travels we also visit the capital
of South Africa; Pretoria, with Paul Kruger
house, one of the old Boer forts and the British
HQ of Melrose house with the signing of the peace
treaty in May 1902.
Anglo-Boer Battlefields
of KwaZulu-Natal (1899-1902)
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3 day (2 nights) Departing early morning
from Jo'burg we travel south towards Ladysmith to visit
the Spionkop Battlefield (Lancashire
Reg) and onto Ladysmith. Starting
in Ladysmith we visit the Siege Museum with its diorama
of the field of operation, a short distance away
is All Saints Church which displays the roll of honour
of over 3000 names of British soldiers and sailors together
with the regiments that they served with. Leaving Ladysmith
we visit the Churchill memorial to
see the armoured train ambush site which led to the
capture of young Winston on 15 November 1899. We make
our way to the Clouston Military Cemetery
& garden of remembrance and visit the "Gun
site" where the Boers captured 10 artillery
guns from the British at the "Battle of Colenso"
(15 December 1899).We also visit Caesar's Camp
& Wagon Hill (Known collectively as the
Platrand of the - Manchester's, Gordon's & Devon's).
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4 day (3 nights) As above with this
extra day to visit Pretoria and Winston
Churchill's prison, Paul Kruger house, one
of the Boer Forts built after the Jameson
Raid in 1896 and the British HQ of Melrose house and
the signing of the peace treaty of 31 May 1902.
Includes accommodations and meals, return transfers Johannesburg /
Pretoria, other starting points and destinations can be arranged
to suit your itinerary.
The tours can be customised to suit
clients interests.
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Battlefields
Time Line
Anglo-Zulu of KwaZulu-Natal 1879
Anglo-Boer of KwaZulu-Natal 1899 - 1902
Anglo-Boer-Zulu of KwaZulu-Natal 1879 & 1899-1902
Anglo-Boer of Eastern Transvaal 1899 - 1902
Anglo-Boer Siege Towns of Ladysmith, Kimberley
& Mafekeng 1899 - 1902
Anglo-Boer Day Tours 1899 - 1902
Anglo-Boer-Zulu Battlefields
of KwaZulu-Natal (1879 & 1899-1902)
Departing from Jo'Burg we travel south to visit the battlefield
of Spionkop where the South Lancs Liverpool regiments came
under a fire barrage resulting in one of the heaviest loss of
life of the war. We stay over on the Battlefield of Nicholson's
Nek, the grave yard is still on site and can be visited. Starting
at the Royal Hotel Ladysmith we visit the Siege Museum
with its diorama of the Ladysmith field of operation. Leaving
Ladysmith we visit the Churchill memorial to see
the armoured train ambush site which led to the capture of young
Winston on 15 November 1899. Making our way to the Clouston
Military Cemetery& garden of remembrance and visit the
"Gun site" where the Boers captured 10 artillery guns from
the British at the "Battle of Colenso" (15 December 1899).
We also visit Caesar's Camp & Wagon Hill
(Known collectively as the Platrand of the - Manchester's, Gordon's&
Devon's) and Tugela Heights with the final push into Ladysmith
to break the 118 day siege. Traveling northeast we visit the Talana
Battlefield and Pete Smiths farm which is one of the best
open-air Museums in the area. Our overnights stay is in Zululand
in the middle of the Zulu Battlefields. Another early start we
visit Isandhlwana with the biggest ever defeat of a modern
British army against the spears of a Zulu impi, and Rorkes
Drift when 11 VC's were awarded to the 24th "B" coy Welsh
Borderers, & Fugitives Drift when Melville and Coghill
died saving the Queen's colours in Jan 1879. We visit the Zulu
capital of Ulundi and the memorial to the fallen of both
sides leading to the total defeat of the mighty Zulu empire on
4 July 1879. From Ulundi we visit Eshowe being one of the
oldest towns in Zululand. We end our Battlefields experience with
a relaxing Game Drive in the Hluhluwe/Umfolozi
Reserve with the opportunity of seeing the BIG 5 of the
animal kingdom. We also visit Durban for a City tour with
the old Victorian spice market, where you can buy your
freshly packed Indian Spices.
Anglo-Boer-Zulu Battlefields
of KwaZulu-Natal
(1879 & 1899-1902)
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4 Day (3 night) Departing early morning
from Jo'Burg we travel south to visit the battlefield
of Spionkop where the South Lancs Liverpool regiment
came under a fire barrage resulting in one of the heaviest
loss of life of the war. We stay over on the Battlefield
of Nicholson's Nek, the grave yard is still on site
and can be visited. Starting at the Royal Hotel
Ladysmith we visit the Siege Museum with its
diorama of the Ladysmith field of operation. Leaving
Ladysmith we visit the Churchill memorial
to see the armoured train ambush site which led to the
capture of young Winston on 15 November 1899. Making
our way to the Clouston Military Cemetery and
visit the "Gun site" where the Boers captured
10 artillery guns from the British at the "Battle
of Colenso" (15 December 1899). We also visit Caesar's
Camp & Wagon Hill (Known collectively as
the Platrand of the - Manchester's, Gordon's & Devon's)
and Tugela Heights with the final push into Ladysmith
to break the 118 day siege. Traveling northeast we visit
the Talana Battlefield and Pete Smiths farm which
is one of the best open-air Museums in the area. An
early start we visit Isandhlwana with the biggest
ever defeat of a modern British army against the spears
of a Zulu impi, and Rorkes Drift when 11 VC's
were awarded to the 24th "B" coy Welsh Borderers, &
Fugitives Drift when Melville and Coghill died
saving the Queen's colours in Jan 1879.
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5 day (4 nights) As above, with the
inclusion of the Battle of Blood River
of 1838 when the Zulu's attacked the Voortrekker Wagon
Laager of 464 pioneers.
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7 day (6 nights) As above, the tour
can be extended to visit the Zulu capital of Ulundi
and the memorial to the fallen of both sides leading
to the total defeat of the mighty Zulu empire on 4 July
1879. We end our Battlefields experience with a relaxing
Game Drive in the Hluhluwe/Umfolozi reserve
with the opportunity of seeing the BIG 5 of the
animal kingdom.
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8 day (7 night) As above, we visit
the old British fort at the Norwegian mission station
where Col Pearson's #1 column was pinned
down by about 6000 Zulu.
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9 day (8 nights) A combined tour of
the Anglo-Boer-Zulu Battlefields and
the famous Kruger National Park, the
tour is idea for the History and Nature lovers with
plenty of photo opportunities. Starting from Jo'Burg
we travel through the Anglo-Boer-Zulu Battlefields of
KwaZulu-Natal including the siege town of Ladysmith,
Battlefield of Spionkop, Winston Churchill's
train ambush site, the Battlefield town of Dundee
and the open air museum, the Anglo-Zulu Battlefields
of Isandhlwana, Rorkes Drift and the
memorial at Fugitives Drift, of the 24 coy For something
totally different we travel into the famous Kruger
National Park in search of the BIG 5, we visit
the old gold town of Pilgrims Rest, Gods Window and
the Blyderiver Canyon before returning
to Pretoria and a day tour of the Capital
City of South Africa before returning to Jo'Burg and
the airport
Includes accommodations and meals, return transfers
Johannesburg / Pretoria, other starting points and destinations
can be arranged to suit your itinerary.
The tours can be
customised to suit clients interests.
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Battlefields Time Line
Anglo-Zulu of KwaZulu-Natal 1879
Anglo-Boer of KwaZulu-Natal 1899 - 1902
Anglo-Boer-Zulu of KwaZulu-Natal 1879 & 1899-1902
Anglo-Boer of Eastern Transvaal 1899 - 1902
Anglo-Boer Siege Towns of Ladysmith, Kimberley
& Mafekeng 1899 - 1902
Anglo-Boer Day Tours 1899 - 1902
Anglo-Boer Battlefields (1899 - 1902)
Anglo-Boer Battlefields 1899-1902
Mafekeng, Kimberley & Bloemfontein
10 day tours to the siege towns of Mafekeng
of Baden Powell, Warrens 1884 expedition, Kimberley
with the Magersfontein Battlefield of the Highland Regiments.
The Free State Capital of Bloemfontein with
Sannaspos, Queens Fort and the vrou memorial with the final
resting place of Emily Hobhouse.
Anglo-Boer Battlefields 1899-1902
Ladysmith, Kimberley, Mafekeng & Bloemfontein,
19 day tour of the three siege towns of
Ladysmith, Kimberley, and Mafekeng combined
with the Free State Capital of Bloemfontein
including the sites of the old Eastern Transvaal
and a relaxing safari at either Umfolozi or Kruger National
Park.
The
tours can be customised to suit clients
interests.
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Battlefields
Time Line
Anglo-Zulu of KwaZulu-Natal 1879
Anglo-Boer of KwaZulu-Natal 1899 - 1902
Anglo-Boer-Zulu of KwaZulu-Natal 1879 & 1899-1902
Anglo-Boer of Eastern Transvaal 1899 - 1902
Anglo-Boer Siege Towns of Ladysmith, Kimberley
& Mafekeng 1899 - 1902
Anglo-Boer Day Tours 1899 - 1902
Day Tours - Historic Sites
Military Museums & Historic Sites
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Military Museums
Jo'Burg Military History Museum (Half Day - can be extended)
South African Air Force Museum (Half Day - can be extended)
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Historic Sites of Pretoria
(Full Day)
British HQ - Melrose House, signing of the peace accord
1902
Winston Churchill's Prison
Breaker Morant's & Peter Handcock's grave site
Sammy Marks Victorian House
Voortrekker Monument & old Fort 1896
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Other places of interest
(can be substituted with the full day tour)
Paul Kruger House
Church Square & Union Buildings
Jan Smuts House and Concentration Camp
The
tours can be customised to suit clients
interests.
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 Breaker Morant
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