Zulu Battlefields of Isandlwana & Rorke's Drift and the Fugitive's Trail

The group our now deep in the Zulu Battlefields learning all about Isandlwana and Rorke’s Drift.

The 'Sphynx' of Isandlwana

The tours will bring history to life, as viewing the Isandlwana battlefield from a high vantage point, the group will hear the story of how the central column of the British Invasion Force under the ultimate command of Lt. General Lord Chelmsford was virtually wiped out by King Cetshwayo’s Zulu army. Lts. Melvill and Coghill died in their attempt to save the Queen’s colour as they fled the Fugitive's Trail towards the Buffalo River.

Later that same day 4,500 Zulus attacked a re-supply depot at Rorke’s Drift, held by a handful of British soldiers, many of whom were sick or wounded. The expeditioners will hear the story of how all 11 Victoria Crosses were won in an incredible battle against all the odds where the Zulus were repulsed.

 Lt Chard VC, the Royal Engineer officer at Rorke's Drift is buried at Hatch Beauchamp, 3 miles from Taunton.

The actual Queen's colour was later recovered from the Buffalo River and is now on display in Brecon, Wales.

Previous expeditioners have described the storytelling as: "making history come alive, it was almost like being there"."I had no knowledge of this story, the Zulus or the history, this is awesome".

Memorial at Rorke's Drift

Rorke's Drift

 The expeditioners will probably be very tired tonight and in need of a good night's sleep. They will spend their last night in Africa at Elandsheim - a Lutheran Mission (see photos below).

Expeditioners' accommodation for Battlefields Phase at Elandsheim a Lutheran Mission

Accommodation lodges at Elandsheim with campfire/Boma area in background

Tomorrow they head back to Johannesburg for their flight home. It is has been a whirlwind and there will be many tales to tell of their special time in South Africa!