The KwaZulu-Natal Battlefields

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Surrounding Nambiti Private Game Reserve is a region rich in history… a significant historical area known as the Battlefields.

The area surrounding Nambiti Private Game Reserve is home to the largest concentration of battlefields in South Africa. While staying at Nambiti, guests from all over the world can not only experience a true South African safari with Big 5 encounters, luxurious lodge accommodation and tantalising meals, but also the exciting battlefields tours and historical memorials in and around Nambiti Private Game Reserve.

Nambiti’s Relics Of War

Numerous historical sights can be encountered on your daily African safari drives through the Nambiti Private Game Reserve including:

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  • The remnants of British stone fortifications built during the Boer War
  • A remarkable terraced gun emplacement site for cannon positions erected by the British during the 1879 Anglo-Zulu War
  • A preserved settler homestead that goes back to the 1860’s, aptly known as “The Homestead” as well as cattle kraals and military sangars which are scattered across the Reserve

Bordering The Nambiti Private Game Reserve Is Where The Real Battles Took Place | South Africa’s Famous Battlefields

THE BATTLE OF ELANDSLAAGTE

Numerous Boer War and Zulu War battlefields can be found in the vicinity. Interestingly, the Battle of Elandslaagte played out to a large extent within the boundaries of Nambiti Private Game Reserve. The northern gate into the Reserve is appropriately known as ‘Memorial Gate’, and the memorials of both British and Boer soldiers who fell in the Battle of Elandslaagte can be found here.

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The Battle of Elandslaagte was fascinating and unique for many reasons – including a cavalry charge, the use of modern rifles, controversy over a flag of truce, numerous foreign fighters, a raging thunderstorm and incredible bravery.
Nambiti are honoured to be custodians of this unique encounter, which took place more than 115 years ago.

THE BATTLE OF RORKE’S DRIFT
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The battle of Rorke’s Drift took place in the infamous Anglo-Zulu War. This battle was fought on 22 January 1879, the same day as the nearby Battle of Isandlwana. At the Battle of Rorke’s Drift, Just over 150 British and colonial troops defended the station against attacks by 3,000 to 4,000 Zulu warriors. The British army was overcome by the native military force of the Zulu army of King Cetshwayo.

THE BATTLE OF ISANDLWANA

22 January 1879 was the date of the first major encounter in the Anglo-Zulu War between the British Empire and the Zulu Kingdom. A force of over 20,000 Zulus attacked a portion of the British invasion force. Thousands of Zulus and over 1,300 British were killed in one of the country’s bloodiest battles.

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THE SIEGE OF LADYSMITH
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The Siege of Ladysmith began when the Boers cut the town’s railway and telegraph lines on the 2nd November 1899. General Joubert pushed General White’s army into Ladysmith and laid siege at the beginning of the South African War. Lasting 118 days, this was the shortest of the three major sieges in South African history, but the suffering was intense given the shortage of provisions.

Other well-known battles that occurred in the area are Spionkop, Blood River, Thukela Heights, Colenso, and Vaalkrantz.
All these famous battlefields can be found near to Nambiti Private Game Reserve, and tours can be arranged to visit these significant sites.

Nambiti Introduces Rob Caskie, the “Engaging Battlefield Storyteller”
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Rob Caskie is the ultimate battlefields storyteller. He thrives on the challenge and reward of entertaining audiences in the theatres of their imagination and transporting them via the power of a story well-told.