Bush & Battle, the South African war
Bush & Battle, the South African war
OVERVIEW
Bush & Battle, the South African war
This vast country is undoubtedly one of the most culturally and geographically diverse places on earth. Due to its rich and turbulent history, there are plenty of historical attractions to explore like the Zululand battlefields of the South African War with the United Kingdom in KwaZulu-Natal from 1899 to1902. Although the protagonists were Britain and the two Boer Republics of the Transvaal and the Orange Free State, the population of South Africa as a whole became embroiled in the war either directly or indirectly.
Above all else, South Africa’s main attraction is the remarkably untamed wilderness with its astonishing range of wildlife, roaming freely across massive, unfenced game reserves such as the world-famous Kruger National Park. This trip provides you with the best of both, a relaxed holiday for old and young, with culture and wildlife, Bush and Battle.
Price: from EUR 2300 per person - ZAR 45.000 per person
HIGHLIGHTS
Trip highlights
- Cultural Village
- Panorama Route
- Kruger National Park
- Hluhluwe Imfolozi Park
- Drakensberg
- Battlefields tours
- Boer War Museum
- Johannesburg on bike
INCLUSIONS
What’s included
- 8 nights bed & breakfast
- 3 nights dinner, bed & breakfast
- 4 nights all meals included
- 3 nights self-catering
- Isandlwana Battlefield Morning tour
- Rorkes Drift Afternoon Battlefields tour
INCLUSIONS
Carbon footprint
329 kg CO2 e
Day 1 - 6
Discover the fascinating cultures and traditions of the people of Africa, visiting five traditional homesteads inhabited by Zulu, Xhosa, Pedi, Basotho, and Ndebele tribes who live according to tribal folklore and traditions of their ancestors. “Our culture is the light of our nation – whoever walks here amongst our cultures at aha Lesedi can also see the light.”
Hazyview, the gateway to Kruger National Park, is a beautiful little town known for its incredible scenery. The famed Panorama Route and the Blyde River Canyon. The third-largest canyon in the world, with impressive and very lush scenery, the Blyde River Canyon Reserve is a beautiful destination in South Africa. It is well worth spending some time here, before venturing into the bush. You can go hiking, horse riding, fishing, a sunset cruise on the Blyde Dam, hot air ballooning, rafting, or take a relaxed drive and visit God’s Window, Three Rondavels, Bourke’s Luck Potholes, or some of the many waterfalls en route.
Kruger National Park is one of the best-known Game Reserves in Southern Africa. The land is beautiful, incredibly vast, and with very diverse landscapes. Two million hectares of pristine and far stretching horizons, wildlife, the Big 5, historical and archaeological important sites. This is the real African Bush. Kruger National Park is the perfect destination in any South African trip. It is a well worth experience in any season. Whether you prefer an adventurous self-drive or a more relaxed and luxury guided game drive, this wildlife destinations provided it all.
Day 7-9
As today you will travel South towards the Hluhluwe Umfolozi Game reserve, tonight you can first have a good night’s rest at the beautiful guesthouse, on an attractive farm, 1800 ha in extent, it offers a wide variety of farming activities. These include a large modern piggery, beef, and timber farming.
In the Hluhluwe Umfolozi Game reserve, there is plenty of time to enjoy some safari in search of the Big 5. One game drive per day is included in an open-sided safari vehicle and the rest of the time you can self-drive through the park.
Day 10–14
With incredible views over the Buffalo River Gorge and the mountain of Isandlwana, Fugitives Drift is a magical place. The old dining room at the Lodge, now the museum, has always proved a huge asset to our often-complimented atmosphere and houses a remarkable collection of Zulu War memorabilia. These days will be all about the Great African War.
Flagship tours to Isandlwana and Rorke’s Drift are led by registered tour guides who are superb storytellers and make the history of that day come alive. Their long family associations with the area and its people allow them to offer you some unique Zulu perspectives. Learn of the bravery and mobility of the armies and listen at sunset to the famous story of Rorke’s Drift, where 139 British soldiers were attacked by 4000 Zulu warriors; a British victory that saw the award of more Victoria Crosses than in any other battle in history.
Battle of Spioenkop tells tales of the bloodiest single day of the entire South African War. During January, General Sir Redvers Buller was joined by Lt General Sir Charles Warren, but their renewed attempts to breach the Boer defense line along the Thukela River were unsuccessful. Spioenkop was the highest point on the Boer defensive line and on 23 January 1900, a British attempt to capture it began. Astonishingly, Louis Botha, Winston Churchill, and Mohandas Ghandi all played a role in this battle. The result of this battle confirmed that those early disasters of ‘Black Week’ were not merely beginners’ luck on the part of the Boers. Spioenkop, together with Majuba, is arguably the best known of all the battles between the British and the Boers.
Day 15–16
One of the finest 4 star Bloemfontein accommodation, this is a luxurious, award winning, four-star Bloemfontein guest house, situated 35km south of Bloemfontein on the N1, Free State, South Africa.
Visit the Anglo Boer War Museum one of the most significant events in the history of South Africa was the Anglo-Boer War The War Museum in Bloemfontein provides an understanding of the background against which the Anglo-Boer War took place through its unique art collection, dioramas, and exhibitions. The course and development of the war unfold in front of your eyes as you progress through the museum. You are also afforded a glimpse into the life and suffering endured in the concentration and prisoner-of-war camps.
Day 17 -19
Soweto is the melting pot of South African Urban Culture.Post-1994 democratic elections, Soweto has become a place of vibrancy friendship, and contrast.
Visit the Hector Pieterson Memorial Museum and the popular attraction Vilakazi Street- the street with Historical significance. The houses of the two Nobel Prize winners – former President Mandela and Archbishop Emeritus Tutu are situated on this street.
Embark on a fun and unique tour experience as you explore inner Johannesburg on an e-bicycle. Get a glimpse of Berea, Yeoville, Bertrams, Ellis Park Stadium, and Makers Valley. See more of Johannesburg’s suburbs in less time. This tour will not only let you in on the city’s history but also take you through the transformation of Hillbrow and Berea from the 1990s until now.
