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Top level
Zulu Culture
Zulu Wars and Zulu Battles. Battlefields of the British, Boers and Zulus. Isandlwana, Rorkes Drift, Inyesane, Gingingdlovu, Siege of Eshowe. Zulu nation and Zulu people at war with British, Boers and themselves.
For Battlefield Tours with Graham Chennells check below
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Shaka Zulu
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Anglo Zulu War of 1879 - a summary of the main events. Zulu Wars & Zulu Battles:
* Ultimatum Tree and Fort Pearson.
* Battle of Nyezane on the Nyesane River (22 January 1879)
* Battle of Isandlwana (22 January 1879)
* Fugitives' Drift (22nd January 1879)
* Battle of Rorke's Drift (22/23 January 1879)
* Siege of Eshowe (February/March 1879)
* Ntombi drift (12 march 1879)
* Battle of Hlobane (28 March 1879)
* Battle of Khambula (29 March 1879)
* Battle of Gingindlovu (4 April 1879)
* Prince Imperial Memorial (1 June 1879)
* Battle of Ulundi (4 July 1879)
The Ultimatum.Zulu Wars. This
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Across the Tugela at Fort Pearson
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Ultimatum was given to the Zulu's on the banks of the Tugela on 11th December 1978.
1. Mhlokazulu and Bekuzulu (sons of Sirayo) who had violated Natal territory be surrendered for trial and a fine of 500 head of cattle be paid.
2. Ane of 100 head be paid for the outrage on the surveyor(Smith) and 500 for contempt of the demand that criminals be given up.
3. Umbuleni and his associates should be surrendered.
4. The Zulu army be disbanded and only mobilized with the permission of the great council and the British government.
5. Every Zulu on arriving at manhood be free to marry.
6. The administration be reformed and accused persons be given a fair trial.
7. British Resident be received at the Zulu Royal Kraal.
8. Missionaries and native converts be allowed to return to the mission stations.
9. If a missionary or other Europeans be involved in a dispute, they should not be expelled from Zululand without the consent of the proposed British resident.
Invasion of Zululand.Zulu Wars. When the Ultimatum was not met the invasion took place 30 days later.
To precipitate a war with the Zulus, Sir Bartle Frere summoned the Zulu representatives to meet officials under this tree on 11 December 1878.Here they delivered to the Zulu King’s emissaries an ultimatum which Sir Bartle Frere knew would be impossible to accept and was unacceptable to the Zulu tribal system.
The ultimatum was read to the Zulu representatives. It was a lengthy document and the only way to convey the contents was by word of mouth.
Unable to accept these demands, the Zulus allowed the ultimatum to lapse. On 11th January1879, the British troops invaded Zululand. King Cethswayo never wanted a war against Britain.
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Cairns. Memorial & Mountain
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Battle of Isandlwana. Zulu Wars.. Zulu Wars & Zulu Battles
KZN Tourism website:article.
Eleven days before the historic Isandlwana battle, during which the British army was to suffer its biggest defeat ever at the hands of a native military foe, British High Commissioner in South Africa at the time, Sir Bartle Frere, had launched an invasion of Zululand after the expiry of his impossible ultimatum to the Zulu King Cetshwayo had expired. Frere was trying to establish a confederation of white-led states in southern Africa, but the Zulus stood firmly in the path of his ambitions.
Under the command of Major General Lord Chelmsford, three columns were sent to converge on the Zulu Royal ikhanda or military camp at Ulundi. The coastal column was commanded by Colonel Charles Pearson, the central column by Colonel Richard Glyn, and the third ?? highly mobile ?? column by Colonel Evelyn Wood. In addition, Brevet Colonel Anthony Durnford and Colonel Hugh Rowlands each commanded an additional reserve force.
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Isandhlwana today
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General Chelmsford accompanied the central column, thereby effectively over-riding the command of Colonel Glyn. This column crossed the Mzinyathi or Buffalo River at Rorke's Drift on Sunday the 11th of January 1879. Their first action took place the following day when they attacked the settlement of Chief Sihayo, after which they advanced to the site below the sphinx-shaped hill known as Isandlwana, where they established a camp. As they considered it a temporary camp, unlikely to suffer an attack, they undertook no entrenchments. The column totalled some 4,907 men and included 302 wagons and carts, 1,507 oxen and 116 horses and mules.
Zulu Wars.At dawn on the 21st of January Major John Dartnell led a party of about 150 men on a reconnaissance mission, some 16km to the south-east in the area of the Hlazakazi Hill. Commandant Rupert Lonsdale simultaneously led 1,600 men of the Natal Native Contingent in the direction of the Malakatha Mountain. During these movements some Zulus were observed on the Magogo Heights. After several skirmishes, Dartnell sent two men back to Isandlwana to report to Chelmsford, and inform him that his party would spend the night on the slopes of Hlakazi.
The following morning Chelmsford and Colonel Glyn rode out in the direction of Hlakazi and met up with Dartnell, leaving the camp under the command of Lt. Colonel Henry Pulleine, who at this point had a total of 1,768 men in the camp, it having also been reinforced by Durnford??s reserves.
On the 22nd of January, a scouting party of mounted troops, led by Lt. Charles Raw, observed some Zulus and set off in pursuit. As they approached the edge of the Mabazo overlooking the Ngwebeni Valley, they spotted the 24,000-strong Zulu main force camped below.
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Monument at Isandlwana
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Meanwhile, on the 17th of January, the 28,000-strong Zulu army, under command of Cetshwayo's Prime Minister Mnyamana Buthelezi, had left kwaNodwengo ?? near present-day Ulundi ?? and proceeded across the White Umfolozi River. On the 18th 4,000 warriors under Godide kaNdlela set off from the main body to attack Pearson at Nyazane, near Eshowe. The remaining 24,000 Zulus camped at the isiPhezi ikhanda, their trail behind them leaving the grass flat for five months! On the 19th they split into two parallel columns and camped near Babanango mountain. On the 20th they moved a further 18km and camped near Siphezi mountain, and on the 21st they moved in small groups into the Ngwebeni valley where they remained hidden until their discovery by Raw and his men on the 22nd.
Zulu Wars.The Zulus had intended attacking the following day, but Raw's men fired into their ranks and they began to stream towards Isandlwana. Raw reached the camp around 12h15 to warn of the approaching enemy. A defensive line was established between the rump of the hill, across the rocky plan to the Nyokane donga. Durnford's men who had already commenced their advance withdrew to the donga when the rocket battery was overrun.
The main Zulu attack began at 12h30 with 20,000 men, 4,000 being held in reserve. At first the British line, comprised mainly of the 1st and 24th regiments, held firm with the two guns keeping a steady fire. However, as many as a third of the Zulus were armed with some type of firearm, which eventually began to take its toll and the warriors advanced to within 800 metres of the somewhat extended British line, due to a shortage of men who had also begun to run short of ammunition. A simultaneous partial eclipse of the sun during the fighting added an eerie quality to the battle.
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River Crossing. The Colours
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Realising that the initial attack had failed, the Zulu commanders sent Ndlaka and an induna forward to encourage the warriors. At this point Durnford??s position on the right collapsed and his men fell back towards the saddle, through which the warriors surged across the British line. As their line fell back from the Zulu advance, the right horn of the Zulu force had made its way behind the hill to cut off any British retreat back towards Rorke??s Drift.
By about 3pm the British position had been overrun, and those who tried to escape the slaughter attempted to flee via the saddle between Isandlwana and Black's koppie. Most of these fugitives were stopped by the Zulus right horn, and only a few on horseback got away.
Lieutenants Melvill and Coghill bravely attempted to save the battalion??s Queen??s Colour but were killed in the attempt, the colours being washed downstream and recovered on the 4th of February.
Chelmsford, who had been operating in the hills to the south-east, was informed of the disaster at 3pm and the remnants of the central column cautiously returned to Isandlwana as evening fell. The reality of the situation together with the reports of the ongoing battle raging at Rorke??s Drift made him resume his march before dawn, reaching the Mzinyathi River shortly after the Zulus had returned to Zululand.
Both sides lost heavily in the battle. Estimates of British losses were 1,357, and approximately 3,000 Zulu warriors were also killed. At this news, King Cetshwayo said ..'alas, a spear has been thrust into the belly of the nation'.
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Brave British Soldiers
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Rorke's Drift. Zulu Wars.
KZN Tourism website:article.
22 – 23 January 1879
The site where James Rorke had established a trading store and a ford across the Buffalo River has become known world wide. After his death in 1875 the land passed to the Swedish mission. The hill behind the settlement was known as the Oskarberg in honour of the King of Sweden, but to the Zulus it was known as Shiyane. The house built by James Rorke was occupied by the mission, the storehouse had been turned into a chapel and the cattle enclosure was a well built stone rectangle. The British troops on 10 January commandeered the house and chapel – the house became a hospital and the chapel the commissariat store.
With the invasion into Zululand on 11 January, some 139 men were left at Rorkes Drift, either in hospital, to guard the pont, or to ensure the movement of supplies into Zululand following the British army.
At about 3:15 on the afternoon of 22 January, Lts. Adendorff and Vane galloped in with the news of the British defeat at Isandlwana. As they rode off to Helpmekaar, Lt. Chard and Lt. Bromhead began frantically with preparations to defend Rorkes Drift.
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Rorke's Drift
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A wall of mealie bags was built from the far corner of the Hospital to the edge of the well built stone kraal. The hospital was barricaded and when the mounted Basutos and the detachment of N.N.C. rode off towards Helpmekaar, a wall of biscuit boxes was built from the store to the rocky ledge to form a second line of defence.
Soon after 4 p.m. the lookout on Shiyane warned of the approach of the Zulus. Lt. Chard had about 110 fit men to defend the station against the 3 – 4000 Zulus. The Zulu force consisted mainly of the Undi Corps, who had occupied the right flank at Isandlwana and had taken almost no part in the fighting. They had crossed the Buffalo river about 2 miles downstream from Rorkes Drift and approached from behind Shiyane hill.
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Fugitives Drift Memorial
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Zulu Wars. The first attack began at about 4:30 p.m. The Zulu forces swung around the hill towards the south wall of the defences. Some of the warriors took shelter behind the cookhouse. When this attack was beaten off the Zulus moved around to attack the northwest. The Zulus came so close to the defences that they could grab the soldier’s bayonets.
Fierce hand-to-hand combat took place. From the Oskarberg, Zulus maintained a harassing fire with rifles picked up on Isandlwana battlefield. The Zulu forces broke through onto the verandah of the hospital and set the thatch roof on fire, forcing the defenders to evacuate this building. As all the rooms opened on to the verandah and there were no interleading doors, this forced the men to defend each doorway while others dug through the walls with their bayonets and evacuate the sick.
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Brave Zulu Soldiers
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While this evacuation of the hospital building was taking place, a small redoubt of mealie bags was built between the biscuit box wall and the stone kraal as a final defence.
The burning thatch roof lit up the area and made it possible for the British soldiers to see the attacking Zulus.
The Zulus continued to attack at intervals all night and finally withdrew shortly after 4 a.m.
The defenders remained at their posts until the arrival of Lord Chelmsford and his column at about 7 a.m. This column had marched from Isandlwana at daybreak.
The British lost 17 killed and the Zulus an estimated 500. A record number of 11 Victoria Crosses were awarded to the defenders of Rorkes Drift.
These Victoria Crosses were awarded to:
Lt. Chard, Lt. Bromhead, Surgeon-Major Reynolds, Commissary Dalton, Cpl. Allan, Pvt. Hitch, Pvt. Hook,Pvt. W. Jones, Pvt. R. Jones, Cpl. Scheiss, Pvt. John Williams
Battle of Ulundi.Zulu Wars.
Before dawn on 4th July 1879 , Lord Chelmsford advanced into Ulundi. At about 07:30, just after the troops had crossed the drift, they formed a hollow square formation comprising 4156 whites and 1152 blacks.
Mounted Troops under Colonel Buller’s command, provoked the Zulu’s into an attack and retreated into the British Square. The Zulu impi’s charged to within 20 – 30 metres of the British Square. The Zulu’s faltered under the heavy British fire and their reserves failed to support them.
At 09:35 Lord Chelmsford commanded the 17th Lancers from the rear, while Buller’s flying column of men pursued and routed the fleeing Zulu’s.The calvary proceedee to burn the “Amakhanda” (Chief military establishment) in the vicinity, while the rest of ther column advanced to Mbilane stream.
At about 14:00, after having treated their wounded comrades, the column returned to the camp.
Number of soldiers:
122 Officers
2159 British men
456 Zulu Men
Number of Zulu Warriors. 15000 – 20000
British fatalities. Three officers and ten men
Zulu Fatalities. 950 – 1500 men.
Battle of Inyesane.Zulu Wars.
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Inyesane Breakfast Location
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The battle of Inyesane took place in the early morning of 22nd January 1879. Col Pearson’s No 1 column consisted of 4271 combat troops, 3128 oxen, 384 ox wagons, 24 carts, 116 horses and 121 mules. After crossing the Inyesane early the column was halting for breakfast on the lower reaches of Wombane when scouts ran into a hidden army of about 6000 Zulu warriors led by Godide.Heavy gunfire took place. Midshipman Coker was the hero of the battle. He moved his gattling gun up the hill and fired 300 rounds into a mass of Zulu troops with devastating effect. The Zulus took fright and retreated.
Casualties.
Killed.13 British Soldiers of which 5 were from the NNC.
Wounded. 16 British Soldiers plus numerous NNC.
Col Pearson moved onto Eshowe to establish a fort and base at the Norwegian mission station there.
Prelude: Inyezane.Zulu Wars.
Wikipedia article.
No.1 Column of the British invasion force, under Colonel Charles Pearson, had been ordered to establish an advanced base at Eshowe before continuing the advance upon Ulundi. The force crossed the Tugela River from Natal into Zululand on January 12 1879. The advance was smooth and steady until the 22nd, when a Zulu force attempted to bar their way.
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Inyesane Monument
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The British were camped about 4 miles south of the Ineyzane River, which they had crossed the previous day, beneath a steep ridge with three spurs leading down towards the river, and surrounded by scrub. A prominent knoll sat about halfway, and a small kraal near the left of the crest.
Shortly after 8am that morning a small number of Zulus appeared near the knoll on the ridge and a company of the Natal Native Contingent, under Lieutenant Hart, were sent up the spur after them. While this company gave chase a mass of Zulus appeared over the crest of the ridge and began pouring downwards. These men were the left "horn" of a 6,000 strong force, dispatched at the same time as the army that engaged the British at Isandlwana, who were preparing just over the crest, to attack the British camp. This left horn had been prompted into a premature attack by the advance of Lieutenant Hart's company and in the face of this advance the Native Contingent fled, leaving their European officers and N.C.O.s to make a fruitless stand before being swept aside. As soon as Hart and his men began firing the camp prepared for defence, a hasty firing line formed.
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Wombane Hill today
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A naval company, and two companies of Buffs with a Gatling gun and 7-pounders moved up to the knoll, opening up across the advancing Zulu column. Thus, when the Zulus emerged from scrub and began their assault on the camp, they were taking heavy fire on both their flank and front of their force. The Zulus wavered, and then withdrew the way they had come.
Wagons crossing Amatikulu drift on the way to Eshowe.
While the left horn was being repulsed, the rest of the Zulu impi appeared over the crest. The kraal was taken, and switching their guns to focus on it, the force previously attacking the left horn's flank advanced up the slope and captured the kraal. This position allowed the British to move the Gatling gun onto the crest where its rapid fire soon drove the Zulus of the centre and left end of the ridge, as the British mounted troops came up the right-hand spur to complete the action. The successful counter-attack resulted in 10 British killed and 16 wounded. The Zulu impi withdrew with 350 killed.
Siege of Eshowe.Zulu Wars.
Wikipedia article
Arrival at Eshowe
Pearson continued his march unhindered and the following day reached the misson fort at Eshowe, 2,000 feet above sea level. Eshowe consisted of a deserted church, school and the house of a Norwegian missionary. Low hills surrounded it about a quarter of a mile away to the north, east and west, but to the south the Indian Ocean could be seen. Pearson sent a group of empty wagons, with escorts, to collect fresh supplies from the Lower Drift while the rest of his force began entrenching themselves. The next day, January 24, bore a disturbing message for Pearson- Lord Durnford's No. 2 column had been wiped out in the Middle Drift, leaving the Lower Drift behind Eshowe in grave danger. If the Zulus took the lower drift, Eshowe would be cut off and there would be nothing between the Zulu Army and Natal.
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Graveyard at Fort Pearson
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Two days later, Lord Chelmsford contacted Pearson. Without giving any details of the disaster at Isandlwana he informed him that all previous orders were cancelled, and that he was to take such as action as he thought fit to preserve his column, including withdrawl from Eshowe if necessary. If he withdrew, he was to hold the bridgehead at the Lower Drift, but he might be attacked by the whole Zulu Army. Pearson had no precise information on the wehereabouts of the enemy, and although his defences around the mission would soon be complete, it was not an ideal position to defend. His force was good for ammunition, but other supplies were insufficient and the general consensus of his subordinates was to pull back to the Lower Drift. The decision to stay was settled on when news arrived of the return of the supply wagons, with five further companies as reinforcement from the Lower Drift.
Eshowe Besieged.Zulu Wars.
The fort enclosing the mission was roughly rectangular, 200 yards long and 50 yards wide, with loopholed walls 6 feet high, and was surrounded by a broad ditch in which sharpened sticks were embedded. A second line of defence. should the outer rampart fall, was formed by laagering the wagons inside the walls. A horse and cattle kraal was constructed, as was an abattis, and a field of fire was cleared all round out to 800 yards. The garrison numbered 1,300 soldiers and sailors, plus 400 wagoners.
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King Goodwill Zwelithini
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The appearance of large bodies of Zulu on the surrounding hills on February 2, although they retreated under shelling from the 7-pounders, compelled Pearson to request reinforcements. A week later, he learned for the first time the full extent of the centre column's defeat at Isandlwana and was told that no reinforcements could be made. Pearson was on his own, but could still withdraw. Pearson considered withdrawing part of his garrison, if Chelmsford agreed, but receiving no response and no further runners, it became clear that Eshowe was now completely cut off.
February passed with no Zulu attack, save for sniping attacks and skirmishes between patrols. The beginning of March led Pearson to attack a kraal 7 miles away, to keep the soldiers from idling. The next day a heliograph was spotted signalling from Fort Pearson and a makeshift apparatus allowed Eshowe to reply. The garrison learnt that a relief force would depart the Lower Drift on March 13 and that they were to advance to the Inyezane to meet it. This was cheering news for the garrison, with rations running low and sickness having killed 20 men. A few days later another message delayed the relief column until April 1.
The Relief Column. Zulu Wars.
Lord Chelmsford led this column, comprising of 3,390 Europeans and 2,280 Africans to relieve the forces at Eshowe. The force had a range of artillery, including two 9-pounders, four 24-pounder rocket tubes and two Gatling guns. The progress was slow, as in addition to taking a roundabout route to avoid ambush, the rivers they had to traverse were swollen by heavy rains. By the evening of April 1, Pearson's observers at Eshowe could see the relief column laagering on the south bank of the Inyezane. The laager was sited on a 300-foot ridge running roughly west-east. West of the ridge, the ground dipped, only to rise again to the 470-foot Umisi Hill. The ground sloped away in all directions, allowing a good field of fire. A trench surrounded a waist high wall of earth, which itself encompassed 120 wagons formed a square with sides of 130 yards in length.
Men of the 75th Regiment entrenching a laager.
While these defences were being constructed, a scout returned in the evening, bearing news of Zulus massing on the far side of Umisi Hill. A second scouting party reported no force there, but that an impi was camped to the north west of the laager. While the scouts could no assess the Zulu strength for the darkness, this impi was in fact comprised of 12,000 warriors, all of whom had been at Isandlwana. The impi had been ordered to ambush the relief column, and thwarted by Chelmsford already; this was their final chance to stop the cloumn before it reached Eshowe. The night passed with no attack.
The morning of April 2 revealed a muddy and sodden ground. Chelmsford could not move his wagons until the ground dried out, and so sent troops to provoke to the Zulus into an attack while he held a strong position. The left horn of the impi was seen advancing eastwards and over the river, towards the British laager before disappearing into tall grass. When the left horn re-emerged, it had joined the rest of the impi and left horn, chest and right horn and was advancing over Umisi Hill. The whole charging buffalo formation in at a run on the three sides of the laager. This was the scenario Chelmsford had planned for, and with infantry, Gatlings and rockets keeping the Zulus at bay his defence was working. Though the Zulu regiments made persistent rushes to get within stabbing range, their charges lacked the drive and spirit that had pushed them forward at Isandlwana and Rorke's Drift. After twenty minutes, the Zulu impi began to crumble away. Seeing this, Chelmsford launched his mounted troops in a charge. By 7.30am, the Zulus had fled.
Around the laager itself 700 Zulu bodies were counted, and 300 more were killed in the mounted chase of the retreating warriors. The British took 11 dead, including a Lieutenant-Colonel, and 48 wounded.
Eshowe Relieved. Zulu Wars.
On April 3, the relief column entered Eshowe, led by the pipers of the 91st Highlanders. The two month siege had been lifted. Chelmsford concluded that Eshowe needed not be retained, and the laboriously constructed defences were demolished. Bivouacking on the first night after their departure from it on April 6, Pearson's men could see that the Zulus had set Eshowe alight.
Battle of Gingindlovu.
This Battle took place early on 30th March 1879. Lord Chelmsford’s 5500 men were lagered at Gingindlovu and about to advance to relieve Col Pearson’s No 1 column at Fort Eshowe. John Dunn accompanied Lord Chelmsford.
The Zulu commander Dabulamanzi sent in bout 11000 troops from the North across the Inyesane river and another column west from Msinsi Hill.
The British held fire as the Zulus deployed their troops and advanced on the lager in their bull horn movement. The troops let fire with devastating results and the gattling gun proved to be a lethal weapon.
When the Zulus realized that they could not break through and were getting slain they retreated with the British in hot pursuit. Many a wounded Zulu was slain in retreat.
Casualties.
Killed.5 British Soldiers and 5 NNC
Mortally wounded. 4 British Soldiers and 2 NNC.
Wounded. 30 British Soldiers and 17 NNC.
Hlobane Battlefield.Zulu Wars.
On the 28 March 1879, Col. Wood was ordered to engage the abaQuluasi, an independent clan, who had occupied Hlobane, a flat topped and steep sided mountain east of the Umfolozi and approximately 20km from Vryheid. A Zulu impi of approximately 20 000 warriors came to the aid of this clan and a large component of Woods forces were massacred. As a result Wood retired to Kambula.Location - on the Hlobane Road, 20km from Vryheid.
Kambula Battlefield.Zulu Wars.
The battle took place on 29 March 1879 during the Anglo- Zulu war. Some 18000 Zulu warriors attacked a fortified position of the fourth column. The battle started at 13h30 and ended at 17h30. The Zulus were driven off with great losses and pursued by cavalry until dark. This battlefield is located 20km north of Vryheid, west of the Paulpietersburg Road.
Ntombe Battlefield. Zulu Wars.
On the 12 March 1879 Captain Mortiarty, 60 troops and a large number of camp attendents were killed, when their camp on the North Bank of Ntombe River was overrun by a Zulu Impi during the Anglo-Zulu War.
Battle of Ndondakusuka (1). Zulu Wars.
The Voortrekkers, discontented with the government of the Cape, entered Natal in 1837. Shortly after their leader, Piet Retief, was murdered at Umgungungundlovu on 8th February 1838, there was open hostility between the Zulu’s and Voortrekkers. Most settlers in Port Natal (Durban) sided with the Voortrekkers. A bloody battle between the settlers and 10000 of Dingaan’s warriors ensued at Ndondakusuka Hilll. The Zulu’s used their famous pincer movement and drove the 18 settlers and their 3000 strong black levies and coloured soldiers backwards over the cliffs into the Tugela River.
Aproximately 1400black and coloured levies were killed. Only four settlers escaped by diving from the cliff and swimming across the river. More than 2000 Zulu’s were killed.
Ndondakusuka Hill with its tall radio mast, approximately 5 km in the distance, can be seen in the direction of John Ross Bridge.
Battle of Ndondakusuka (2). Zulu Wars.
Cetshwayo and Mbuyase’s impis met at Ndondakusuka Kraal in 1856 to do battle over the chieftainship of the Zulu nation. Cetshwayo’s army of 20000 men was far larger than that of Mbuyase. It subsequently surrounded the routed Mbuyasi’s army. The fiercest fighting took place on the banks Mathambo River ( “place of the bones”) and the Tugela River.
This resulted in hundreds of corpses being carried downsteam into the sea. Six of Mpande’s sons, including Mbuyase, were killed that day. John Dunn, who sided with Mbuyase, escaped by swimming across the Tugela River. This established Cetshwayo’s position as the dominant personality in Zululand and heir to the throne.
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Amakhosini Monument
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Battle of Goqkli Hill.Zulu Wars.
This battle took place in 1818 and was the first encounter Shaka had with Zwide. Shaka with a far smaller army lured Zwide across the Umfolozi river and led his troops on a merry dance with various tactics tiring his troops out and eventually engauging them at the conical shaped Goqkli Hill. Zwides army tired and hungry eventually retreated having lost a lot more soldiers than Shaka.
This battle put Shaka on the map as he had outwitted a far superior army. People stood up and took notice.
The site is open daily between 08h00 and 17h00. An entrance fee is payable. Toilets are also available.
(Battle Tactic) Zulu Bull Horn.Zulu Wars.
The Zulu’s devised a brilliant military strategy for launching attacks on their enemies.They attacked in the shape of an “umkhumbi” (a cresent shape), which was divided into:
(a) the “ horns”, which were made up of young warriors.
(b) the “chest”, which consisted of most of the experienced warriors and
(c) the “loin”. This was their reserves which would come to the assistance of the army, should it get into difficulty.
(d) The enemy.
An attack commended with two “horns” attacking the enemy’s flanks and rear.When their advances achieved the desired results, the “chest” of the army advanced and completed the victory.
Battlefields Tours from Eshowe. Zulu Battles & Zulu Wars.
Tour 1. Full day. Cost R1650 pp
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Battlefields Tour
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Battles of Isandlwana & Rorkes Drift. (Tour guide Graham Chennells)
Tour of Zulu Wars battle sites and history.
Includes history of Zulus and King Shaka in particular. Also contemporary life in the new South Africa. Legacy of Apartheid & the future ahead,
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Cowards Bush
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Leave Eshowe early and pass the birthplace of Zulu on the Mandawe slopes just out of Eshowe.
Here you will hear about the birth of Zulu and a short history of the Zulu nation until the birth of King Shaka.
Drive up the mountain pass towards Melmoth. Stop off overlooking rural Zulu villages on the slopes of the mountains.
You will hear about contemporary Zulu life. The interaction of the urban and rural economy, political situation, home life, changing and improved economic infrastructure, pensions, clinics, schools. Apartheid past and new South African dawn.
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Babanango Road
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Just after Babanango you will hear about the rise and fall of King Shaka. This will prepare you for the tour ahead. We will talk on the British Ultimatum at Fort Pearson.
Before we drive into the battle site of Isandlwana we will trace the Zulu Impi tracks and talk of their battle preparations.
Drive to Isandlwana Museum and Battlefield. Do a tour of the battlefield. Discuss British advance and day of battle.
Have a picnic lunch on battlefield.
Drive onto Rorkes Drift museum and battle site. Do a tour of the battle site. Discuss British preparations and Zulu attack.
Time. 7.30 am – 5.30 pm.
Tour 2. Half day. Cost R950 pp
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Cetshwayo Grave
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Zulu Battles and Zulu Wars of Ndondakasuka, Inyesane, Gingindlovu. Fort Pearson and Siege of Eshowe. (Tour guide Graham Chennells)
Leave Eshowe early and proceed to the British stronghold at Fort Pearson. Discuss the Utimatum at Ultimatum Tree. Do a recce of Fort Pearson and the two grave sites near the Fort. Discuss British preparations the invasion and political situation in Southern Africa at the time.
Proceed to Ndondakasuka battlefield where up to 20,000 Zulus died in the clash between Mpandes sons for the claim to the fathers throne. Ceteshwayo was the victor over Mbuyasi.
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John Dunn. Headstone
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John Dunns involvement and subsequent friendship with Ceteshwayo.
Proceed to the battle of Gingingdlovu site where Lord Chelmsford was making his way to relieve Eshowe and fought a detemined battle against a Zulu Impi.
Then onto Inyesane where Colonel Pearson was lucky to survive an attack by the Zulus on Wombane mountain. This was the first time the British used a Gattling gun in battle.
We then go on to the British built stronghold at Fort Eshowe where the Siege of Eshowe took place. Five thousand soldiers were under siege for 72 days by the Zulu. The subsequent relief of Eshowe by Lord Chelmsford and the times endured during those days. Many young British soldiers perishing of disease during this time.
Time. 7.30 am – 2.00 pm.
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Dressed for the Occassion
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Zululand Eco-Adventures.
Eshowe. Zululand.
KwaZulu Natal. South Africa.
info@eshowe.com
035 4744919..
Your Guide:
Graham Chennells.
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