The Battlefields

The Drakensberg is arguably South Africa's most spectacular mountain range. Miles into the distance, the silhouettes of lofty rocky outcrops retreat into palettes of violet and blue. If you look towards the horizon, you won't be able to separate land from sky. Within the geology, there are more than 260 million years of history. A traveller could easily spend years investigating its deep rooted heritage, fauna and flora, artefacts and ancient rock art. Of course, your holiday to The Battlefields, South Africa is taken in search of wars, and it is the Battle Cave that houses the ghosts of SA's oldest recorded war. The Injasuti region is a startling site for its geology: white marble pools lie below a full scale San rock painting depicting a battle. It shows two Bushmen groups clashing in an intense battle. Four thousand San paintings can be found beneath cliff overhangs and inside caves throughout the range.

As you move away from the Drakensberg, the range becomes a retreating backdrop that beautifies a more recent battle scene. Boers and British soldiers first clashed between 1880 and 1881 in a fight to win the Orange Free State and the Transvaal Republic. Colenso lies on the Thukelo River banks where the British hit their lowest point in a series of five battles. Their dismal failure was brought on by an ambush and a heavy advance by the boers. Today, the tiny town next to Ladysmith belies its gory past. Its sweeping foothills house a rustic community of 6000 peaceful residents. The battle is commemorated through several battle sites. The largest of these at Tugela heights was the bloodiest battle the British confronted before World War Two.

Shaka is known as the most powerful and tactical military leader in South Africa's history. He singlehandedly led the Zulu people in a campaign to capture power from King Zwide in the Ulundi area. His tactics included intricate positioning of diversionary parties and the use of oxen and warriors as decoys. With only 2000 warriors on his side, Shaka was responsible for the deaths of 7500 Ndwandwe people. Shaka was eventually assassinated by his two brothers after having suffered a lengthy period of mental illness that would have led to the destruction of his tribe. His grave can be visited in KwaDukuzi. Further tribal battle sites can be found near the Tugela River where the Zulus clashed with the Iziquoza faction. This was the biggest slaughter in Zulu war history, giving the region the name 'Place of Bones.'

If you’re driving from Johannesburg, the 309 km journey takes just under 4 hours. The distance and journey time is similar from Durban’s King Shaka International Airport.

The climate of Kwazulu Natal is fairly disparate: Near the coastline, tropical humidity and heat accompany summer. The mountains escape the heavy air, cooling the months between December and February. The Drakensberg air is considerably drier than that found in the coastal regions. Winters are subject to sparse rains and mildly cool temperatures.

As you approach the escarpment, winters become chillier and the air becomes crisp. The Indian ocean is comfortably warm throughout the year off Kwazulu Natal's coastlines. St Lucia and Cosy Bay experience intolerable humidity in December, and the iciest regions to winter in are Bergville and Winterton.

Spring Drama

During spring, landscapes are splashed with fresh life and colour. Those on The Battlefields, South Africa holidays in September and October will be treated to the sight of electric thunderstorms that add drama to the imaginative experience of bringing the past to life. These are the most electrifying months to focus on the violent moments in South Africa's history. Official battlefields tours are guided by knowledgeable professionals who gather a small clutch of like minded people for the trip. There are a total of 14 towns with stories to tell. The route is studded with museums, fields, reserves and military ghosts. One hotel in The Battlefields, South Africa looks out over the scene of a clash from the same vantage point as the Zulu king who observed it centuries ago. Rorke's drift delivers ancient tales in reserved biomes teeming with wildlife.

Mountain Pathways

History buffs wanting to bury themselves in legendary pasts and historical wars choose the Battlefields, South Africa hotels in Northern Natal where the highest concentration of action exists. For those who only want to dip their toes into the waters of South Africa's heritage, the region offers far more than simple storytelling. Balmy summers are the perfect moments to take on the Drakensberg's most spectacular national park, The Golden Gate Highlands. Whilst there are many luxury hotels in The Battlefields, South Africa, this is an area that comes alive when confronted on foot, with little more than a rocky outcrop to act as your evening shelter. The pinnacle viewing spot on the 28 km Ribbok hike demands a short swim through an icy spring water pool and an ascension by foot ladder into a caved area that opens out onto the vista that earned the region the name 'Golden Gate.' This is not easy terrain to navigate during the chilly season, particularly if you are choosing to lay your head down beneath a waterfall in the great outdoors overnight.

Ghosts of the Sea

As temperatures begin to drop, your holiday The Battlefields, South Africa needs to follow the warmer climates nudging the coastline. The choppy winds bring the oceans to life with swells that are the envy of international surfers. Extreme sportspeople who prefer a dash of danger combat the gales in one of the world's premier kite and wind surfing destinations, Langebaan. This sedate village is known for its water sports, so paddling, sailing and snorkelling are all on the cards. The ship of legends that inspired a famous South African folk song lies a short distance from Langebaan's coast: There were many warships that participated in two sea battles in the 1800s but there was no vessel quite as terrifying to the locals as the Alabama. When taking the Battlefields, South Africa holiday in April and May, you might be treated to the sight of whales arriving early on their annual migration.

Wintery Wars

The months of June and July are chilly in most South African regions, but Kwazulu Natal's subtropical climate makes it an ideal destination for wintering guests. Booking into The Battlefields, South Africa hotel between June and August will darken the skies and create more dramatic vistas for your historical trip. Ghosts will come alive at the Armored Train Cemetary where the Boers captured Winston Churchill. Colenso, Ladysmith and Dundee all have their own commemorative sites saluting the boers'  struggle for independence against British supremacy. Majuba, Talana, Sioenkop and Elandslaagte stand as symbols of South Africa's freedom.