South Africa Destinations
KwaZulu-Natal
KwaZulu-Natal is one of the most exciting travel destinations in South Africa encompassing superb National Parks, historic battlefields, the spectacular Drakensburg Mountains and tropical Durban. KwaZulu-Natal is an ideal destination for a self-drive South Africa holiday.
From Durban head northwards along the coast to the magnificent Hluhluwe-Imfolozi and iSimangaliso Wetlands Parks and swing inland to the historic battlefields regions at Rorke's Drift and Isandlwana.
The Drakensbergs are one of the most spectacular mountain ranges in Africa and a highlight for those looking for an active South Africa holiday.
Discover KwaZulu-Natal
Ghost Mountain Inn
Superb value Elephant Coast region Country Inn. Ideal base to discover wildlife, scenery, culture and cuisine.
Tour package available
Great Value on Elephant Coast
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Cleopatra Mountain Farmhouse
Cleopatra Mountain Farmhouse is a romantic and intimate gourmet getaway nestled in the heart of the KwaZulu-Natal Drakensberg.
Room and Breakfast
Three Trees at Spioenkop
Eco-friendly 9 bedroom lodge close to the Battlefields, mountains and game reserve. Ideal for recharging or as a base for exploring.
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Luxury Drakensberg escape
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Isandlwana Lodge
Great value 12-room boutique lodge in the heart of the historic Battlefields region.
Great value boutique lodge
KwaZulu-Natal Battlefields
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Fugitives Drift
Fugitives Drift is one of the best boutique hotels in the Battlefields area with superb tours of the Battlefields.
1-3 night packages
Superb Battlefields Hotel
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Montusi Mountain Lodge
Luxury accommodation with stunning views over the northern Drakensberg - an ideal stop on a self-drive KwaZulu-Natal holiday.
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Luxury in the Drakensberg
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Thonga Beach Lodge
Romantic hideaway with just 12 luxury chalets. Serene escape and a great location for diving.
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iSimangaliso Wetlands escape
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White Elephant Safari Lodge
Intimate boutique luxury lodge in stunning Lake Jozini location. Great views, personal service, game drives & lake activities.
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Intimate, luxury retreat
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Leopard Mountain Game Lodge
From the meandering river to views of the Lebombo Mountains, this great value luxury game lodge offers the Big 5 and much more.
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Elephant Coast Game Lodge
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Phinda Private Game Reserve
Award Winning Private Game Reserve less than 2 hours from Durban with luxury lodges and Big 5 safari game drives.
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Luxury Big 5 Game Reserve
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Thanda Private Game Reserve
Big Five Private Game Reserve in KwaZulu-Natal's Elephant Coast. Some of the best luxury safari lodges in KwaZulu-Natal.
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Luxury Big 5 Game Reserve
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Teremok Marine Lodge
Very popular boutique hotel with just 8 unique suites, 1km from Umhlanga Rocks Village, 2 minutes walk from the beach.
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Luxury Durban Beach Hotel
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The Oyster Box
The Oyster Box is one of the best luxury boutique hotels in South Africa, in Durban's trendy Umhlanga beachside suburb.
Luxury in Umhlanga
Luxury Boutique Hotel
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Karkloof Safari Spa
Africa's best kept secret - luxury spa retreat offering wellness packages and wildlife as a bonus. Combine with beach or safari holiday.
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Self Drive KwaZulu-Natal
Self drive itineraries through spectacular KwaZulu-Natal including the Battlefields, Game Parks, Zululand, Durban and the beach.
10 - 15 night Itineraries
Scenery, Culture, Safari, Beach
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Kwa-Zulu Natal Safari & Beach
Combine a remote safari in the Phinda Private Game Reserve with a remote and spectacular beach break in KwaZulu-Natal.
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Luxury Safari & Beach
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The Battlefields
A visit to the battlefield sites of Kwazulu-Natal is a real highlight of a visit to this region of South Africa. The iconic setting of Isandlwana was the scene of an infamous British defeat in 1879 when a Zulu force of 25,000 men annhilated the main body of British troops before the less catastrophic events at Rorke's Drift.
The 1979 film Zulu Dawn commemorated the events and is well worth a watch prior to a visit. The Isandlwana Battlefield is a moving site, with white stone cairns marking the sites of buried soldiers.
Immediately after Isandlwana, the Zulu warriors advanced to the main British Camp at Rorke's Drift where fewer than 100 British soldiers defended the camp until a relief force arrived. Rorke's Drift was commemorated in the 1964 film Zulu starring Michael Caine. A few km from Rorke's Drift is Fugitives' Drift, where 2 British soldiers died in an attempt to rescue the Queen's Colours.
Other famous battlefield sites of Kwazulu-Natal include Blood River, the site of a famous battle between the Voortrkkers and the Zulus and Spioenkop where the British and the Boers slogged it out.
Ladysmith was the scene of a famous siege during the Boer War as well as being the hometown of the world famous Ladysmith Black Mambazo.
How to See The Battlefields
The Kwazulu-Natal Battlefields are best experienced as part of a guided tour although Rorke's Drift has an excellent Orientation Centre.
The Battlefields can be done as a day trip from Durban although many visitors experience them as part of a self drive Kwazulu-Natal holiday.
The Battlefields aren't especially easy to reach however and can be difficult to find.
Where to Stay
There are some great accommodation options close to the Battlefield sites and a night or two spent in this area of Kwazulu-Natal can be highly rewarding.
