The Natal Battlefields of KwaZulu Natal is the collective name for an area of rural cattle country that witnessed an enduring story of courage and self-sacrifice, bloodshed and tragedy.
Scroll for more
The Natal Battlefields of KwaZulu Natal are an evocative landscape of rolling grasslands and rural cattle country that once bore witness to some of South Africa’s most defining battles. Here you will learn of the enduring stories of courage and self-sacrifice; of heroism and tragedy during the epic Anglo-Zulu and Anglo-Boer wars of the 19th century.
Today, the battlefields are a peaceful place of reflection, yet the echoes of the past are brought very much to life when you are guided by those who know their stories best.
These are truly fascinating stories for anyone interested in history (and culture). We recommend spending at least two, preferably three nights here to appreciate the area.
Expert guides bring the events of Isandlwana and Rorke’s Drift to life with riveting storytelling. (Believe me, you’ll get little from just visiting the sites independently. As it is through the telling of the human stories that the battles come alive.)
Your older children of 10 years and upwards may be equally captivated by the tours. And several Natal Battlefield lodges in the region are family-friendly.
Lodges near the Drakensberg Mountains, such as Three Trees at Spionkop, allow you to combine a visit to the Drakensberg amphitheatre for walking, along side the tales of Spionkop battle.
Namibiti Game Reserve lies close-by, so it is easy to combine walking in the Drakensberg with the Natal Battlefields and game-viewing on a Big Five safari.
We recommend Nambiti Hills Safari Lodge.
Babanango is a wilderness reserve with 20 000 ha of rolling hills, mist-belt grasslands, thornveld and valley bush.
It’s one of South Africa’s most ambitious rewilding efforts: over the past few years more than 3,000 large mammals have been returned, including the Big Five.
Wildlife on offer includes herds of wildebeest, zebra and antelope in the grasslands; giraffe grazing the thornveld; cheetah and leopard noted in certain areas. This beautiful reserve is only one hour’s drive from Isandlwana Battlefield so that guests staying at Valley Lodge in Babanango can opt to spend an extra day there to visit the battlefields.
Back to KwaZulu Natal Holiday pages
We recommend guided tours rather trying to see the battlefields on your own. We our experience the local guides share powerful stories and historical context which make the sites come alive. (Otherwise it’s just a green field with gravestones.)
How long should I stay in the Natal Battlefields area?
Allow at least two nights, as then you can do the two battlefield tours in the correct chronological order. Ideally, we recommend three nights, to balance guided battlefield tours with time to relax, enjoy the scenery or perhaps hike the reserve.
Can families visit the Natal Battlefields?
Yes, many lodges welcome families and older children, who often find the storytelling and hands-on history surprisingly engaging. (But of course you know YOUR teenager!)
Discover the dramatic stories of the Natal Battlefields with our expert guides and carefully chosen lodges.
Only the best African travel advice, tidbits and tours. No nonsense.
