The battles of Isandlwana and Rorke's Drift

We have had a fascinating and moving day on the tours of these two historic battles between the British and the Zulus. Even though these battles were 136 years ago in 1879, through brilliant story telling, and detailed knowledge of many individuals the events were brought alive in a way that brought a tear to many eyes.  Both events were told brilliantly and with equal perspectives from both sides. If you’re interested in military history I can’t recommend them enough. As usual for both sides, there were tales of bravely and valour mixed with stupidity and the terrible waste of human life, and so many ‘if onlys’. But to forget is to repeat!

Pictures can’t really do justice to the scale, heat in January 1879, the eclipse that happened on that day, the spate of the Buffalo River at the time, but here’s a few.

Above the Buffalo River at Rorke's Drift

Our guide and raconteur telling part of the story from above the battlefield near where the Zulu army of 40,000 deceived the British

Zulu memorial at Isandlwana

Zulu memorial at Rorke's Drift

The battle field at Isandlwana, each white cairn is the resting place of 10-15 British men buried where they fell, four months after the battle.

Memorial to those who died defending Rorke's Drift

It could be two weeks before we get the next opportunity to post, but look out every day to see if we have found a cafe!