KZN Battlefields

This area encompasses most of central and northern KwaZulu-Natal.  Its green, rolling hills and picturesque scenery belie its turbulent past.  Because, with 69 battlefieds, museums, forts and places of remembrance, this area has witnessed more battles and wars than any other part of South Africa.

The first battles were those between the early tribes, then came the conflicts between the Voortrekkers and the mighty Zulu Warriors (1830s), then later between the British and the Zulus in the Anglo-Zulu War of 1879 - with the famous sites of Rorke's Drift and Isandlwana (where British troops suffered the worst defeat in history against native forces).

L: Thousands of British & Zulus were slain in the historical Battle of Isandlwana

Yet more British and Boers lost their lives in the Anglo-Boer War of 1899 - 1902.

Much of South Africa's history was fought for and forged here.  And many well-known people played their parts - Mahatma Ghandi, Winston Churchill, King Shaka, King Dingane, King Cetshwayo, General Louis Botha, Piet Retief ...



Note: Because this region's borders are more historical by nature, some towns may also fall into other geographical areas like Zululand, Drakensberg, Midlands.



   Map showing Regions of KwaZulu-Natal - map courtesy of KwaZulu-Natal Tourism

Top 10 Attractions:

• Isandlwana
• Rorke's Drift
• Blood River Battlefieds & Ncome Museum
• Albert Falls Dam & Nature Reserve
• Chelmsford Nature Reserve
• Dlinza Forest Nature Reserve & Boardwalk                                    Dlinza Forest near Eshowe
  
• Ithala Game Reserve
• SpionKop Dam Nature Reserve
• Tlana Museum, near Dundee
• Wagendrift Nature Reserve, nr Estcourt

Photos courtesy of KwaZulu-Natal Tourism


Further reading and info:

A good source for historical background of the Battlefields is Drakensberg Tourism

For Battlefields routes, maps & guides, visit Battlefields Region Guides