In my early 20’s I was given a book to read; the “Washing of the Spears” by Donald R Morris. Without wanting to be too dramatic, it changed my life. Up until I read this book, South African history was boring to me, I much preferred the history of other Read more…
Many events have occurred throughout the history of South Africa that can be considered pivotal events; moments that have shaped the path the country has followed. It is my personal opinion, that one of the most important events, fell on the 22nd January 1879 when the Zulu army struck the British army a surprising and devastating blow – this was the Battle of Isandlwana.
In 1879 the Zulu people under the leadership of King Cetswayo kaMpanda found themselves the victim of British politics and subsequently at war, facing the might of the British army under their commander, Frederic Augustus Thesiger, later the 2nd Baron Chelmsford. It was believed by the British that the Anglo Read more…
South Africa is probably best known for two places, the Kruger National Park and Cape Town. And that’s great, they two fantastic places to visit. There is a third place that should absolutely be on your itinerary, and that’s the city of Durban in the province of KwaZulu-Natal. We’ve broken Read more…
Over the last 10 years or so I’ve been keeping track as to which tours are the most popular. I’ve also categorized the tours into 1 day tours, overnight tours and the 3 day tours to again try and judge just what people prefer. And I guess it shouldn’t be Read more…
Some weeks ago I was contacted by a Dutch family who were planning on traveling around South Africa. They week keen to get some insight in Zulu culture when they started their Zululand and Durban leg of the trip. After some emails back and forth we settled on an itinerary Read more…
On the 22nd of January in 1879, a unprepared British force of about 1600 men were surprised and over-run by a force of 25,000 Zulu warriors. The British were an invading force, and the Zulu’s were defending their homelands. The battle was short and sharp, and by the end of Read more…
Today’s tour update may seem a strange one. Yesterday I took two really nice visitors to the battlefields of Isandlwana and Rorkes Drift. This was a bucket lis trip for them and was really great to see how excited they were to visit. I really enjoy my visits out to Read more…
The Hluhluwe Imfolozi Game Reserve is the oldest proclaimed game reserve in Africa and is home to the Big 5 as well as many other animals on it’s sprawling 960km2. The Hluhluwe Imfolozi Game Reserve, just a 2,5 hour drive north of Durban, is probably best known for it’s previous Read more…
Visiting the battlefields of the Anglo Zulu War today is always an awe-inspiring event; and not just for me, but for many of my guests as well. Over the last few months I’ve been so blesses to show not only visiting professional historian the sites of Isandlwana and Rorkes Drift, Read more…