How long would one need.

Posts : 2558 Join date : 2009-04-06 Age : 58 Location : UK

Would anyone know what time period one would need, if they intended visiting all the Battle Sites in one go? Are we talking weeks or months, I don’t know the distances between the Battle sites. But was thinking it would be worth doing the whole lot instead of going back and doing a bit at time. It would probably work out cheaper that keep forking out for airfares. But I haven't taken into account cost of accommodation; I expect that would be quite expensive.

Subject: Re: How long would one need. Fri May 07, 2010 7:28 am

John
The area covering the various sites, from RD down to Gingindlovu and Ulundi is pretty damned big. It effectivly covers the whole of Zulu land. To do the area properly you would be best to fly into JHB and drive down through Dundee to RD, to explore RD, Isandlawana, and FD. 3 days min.
From there a drive North to Hlobane for the day and back down South to Ulundi. From Ulundi do things in the wrong order through Ging, Eschowe across the Tugela and back to Durban. In between there are many many areas, Fort Pearson etc. Plus of course the miriad of other attractions in KZN. he battle fields is that when your
The horrible thing about exploring the battle fields is that when your through you realise the bits youve missed out. Thats what keeps folks like Neil and myself going back time and time again.
However to answer the question. Allow three weeks. Self drive car. Good map. And go. If you can afford it contact Ken Gillings and join one of his lecture tours, you could not ask for a better guide.
Do it.

Posts : 206 Join date : 2009-10-16

Hi John,
You need to have a plan, list exactly what sites you want to visit, ie just the battle sites, but then you would be missing things like fort Eshowe and the graveyard, fort pearson and the graveyard, and the grave of the prince imperial for instance.
Remember there are many isolated gravesites and forts all over Zululand.
Also how long do you want to spend at the sites, do you want to walk the battlefields, Hlobane is easily a full day, Isandlwana and Fugitives Drift can take 3 days for an in depth visit.
What time of year, i have visited in May and October both were not too hot, but you can have rain.
A good estimate is 14 days including 2 days air travel from the UK.

Rai
Keynshamlighthorse.