Battlefields

by Dorene Mundy

Since my mom lives on the Natal South Coast I have travelled this stretch of Natal Coast a fair bit, but not until recently had I ever visited the Battlefields. I was fortunate enough to be invited on a week end trip to visit the Land of the Zulus. This being my first visit to the Battlefields I wasnt really sure what to expect. We left Durban and headed for Pietermaritzbrug from where we turned East onto the R33 for Greytown. The Midlands around Petermaritzburg reminded me a lot of Ireland with its many shades of green and rolling hills,of Sugar Cane in this case. The scenery changed almost instantly once we crossed the Tugela River into what was previously known as "Zululand". The vegetation is rather rugged filled with shrubs and literally thousands of traditional Zulu homes dotting the hillsides. Since it was Friday the towns of Tugela Ferry and Pomeroy where a hive of activitiy full of traditionally dressed ladies buying food for the week end from the Markets. The main roads through the towns reminded me of one large colourful fesitval !

The R33 winds thourgh the Thukela Region providing some incredible vieiws of rolling Hills as far as the eye can see. On our way to Rorkes Drift I realised for the first time just how little I knew about the battle we were off to find out about at Fugitives Drift.

We arrived at Fugitives Drift around Lunchtime and after meeting our Guide we joined the other guests to a buffet lunch in the Lodge Dinning room. After lunch I wondered around the dining and living room which is a living museum filled with memorabilia and letters sent to David Rattray over the many years. I was rather excited now about the tour we would be joining this afternoon. Having missed the tour of Isandlwana which departs from the Lodge at 07:30 am we would join the second tour of Rorkes Drift which departs in the afternoon around 15H30.
We were collected from the Lodge and driven in Landcruisers to Rorkes Drift. The drive takes about 20 minutes from the Lodge and since you are in a Reserve you may even spot some plains Game on route.

Nothing I could have read prior to my visit would have prepared me for this tour. After going through the Museum at Rorkes Drift we gathered outside on the grass taking in the magnificent veiw of the setting sun. Our Guide Rob completely drew me in from the first moment. The perfect setting provided all the props for the "show" and all I needed was my imagination to become a part of that battle. The tour takes about 3 hours and is a brilliant account of both sides of battle after which we were driven back to the Lodge for sundowners. Forget you may have seen in the movies "Zulu Dawn" and "Zulu" and visit Fugitives Drift Lodge for an experience I strongly recommend!

2007/05/25 | permalink |

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Battlefields

by Dorene Mundy

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