Isandlwana Battlefield
Isandlwana Battlefield
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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4.5
181 reviews
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111TWIGAMINHAAFRIKA
Bristol, UK7,800 contributions
Feb 2020
Well, what an incredible true story, an event that shook an empire, so peaceful now with such endearing scenery, but to get the very best information then take a guided tour.
Paul Lamberth, our guide for the day and also our host at his family farm, Rorke's Drift Lodge, had such a composed manner to deliver to us the truth of this historical defeat of the British at the hands of the Zulu nation.
Fabulous narration from a man who knows this land, the reasons why, how, and what created this major massacre at Isandlwana.
Humbling visit, the battlefield shows the scars of the British fallen, the white painted stones acting as the graves for many...
An amazing place to visit but talking a tour is a must and Paul provided a detailed and very interesting historic adaptation, simply the truth!
Paul Lamberth, our guide for the day and also our host at his family farm, Rorke's Drift Lodge, had such a composed manner to deliver to us the truth of this historical defeat of the British at the hands of the Zulu nation.
Fabulous narration from a man who knows this land, the reasons why, how, and what created this major massacre at Isandlwana.
Humbling visit, the battlefield shows the scars of the British fallen, the white painted stones acting as the graves for many...
An amazing place to visit but talking a tour is a must and Paul provided a detailed and very interesting historic adaptation, simply the truth!
Written March 15, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
mark666
worcs,england349 contributions
Isandlwana is the site of the battle between 1700 British and local soldiers and some 20000 Zulus. It was one of the biggest defeats the British army suffered against non European troops ever.
By going to the site you can understand what happened, you go up one of the nearby hills and overlook the whole battlefield.
The British army had been split into 3 columns and General Lord Chelmsford had gone off with one column to look for the Zulus and another column had also been sent away .
The 3rd column was left at Isandlwana which is totally open ground surrounded by hills. Clearly the Colonel left in command didnt expect trouble but a British patrol stumbled across the Zulu army which then attacked . The British were unprepared and although messages were sent to Chelmsford requesting help he did nothing. The British had failed to command the surrounding heights and the Zukus using the horns of the bull attack formation quickly surrounded the 3rd column and just cut it to pieces. Faced with 20000 brave highly motivated Zulus the disorganised British soldiers stood little chance and the battle was over in 2 hours
Today the site is quiet , dotted with white painted cairns where the remains of the Brish troops are buried ( remains being the operative word since burial parties only managed to reach the site for the first time 5 months after the battle). There also various memorials erected both to commemorate the troops in general and also some to individual soldiers.
By going to the site you can understand what happened, you go up one of the nearby hills and overlook the whole battlefield.
The British army had been split into 3 columns and General Lord Chelmsford had gone off with one column to look for the Zulus and another column had also been sent away .
The 3rd column was left at Isandlwana which is totally open ground surrounded by hills. Clearly the Colonel left in command didnt expect trouble but a British patrol stumbled across the Zulu army which then attacked . The British were unprepared and although messages were sent to Chelmsford requesting help he did nothing. The British had failed to command the surrounding heights and the Zukus using the horns of the bull attack formation quickly surrounded the 3rd column and just cut it to pieces. Faced with 20000 brave highly motivated Zulus the disorganised British soldiers stood little chance and the battle was over in 2 hours
Today the site is quiet , dotted with white painted cairns where the remains of the Brish troops are buried ( remains being the operative word since burial parties only managed to reach the site for the first time 5 months after the battle). There also various memorials erected both to commemorate the troops in general and also some to individual soldiers.
Written October 9, 2008
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
maryc57
Howick, South Africa8 contributions
Nov 2015 • Friends
We spent 2 days in the battlefields with Rob Caskie. He took us and our English friends to Isandhlawana where we sat on the battlefield as Rob painted the picture of the British and Zulu soldiers, their strategies and the result there of. We spent the night at the Isandhlawana Lodge and went to Rorke's Drift the following morning. We cannot recommend this experience highly enough. Rob is an outstanding story teller so the scene is set and characters in this war become real. One word of advice.....take a large box of tissues with you.
Written November 28, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
culinaire2016
Bristol, UK97 contributions
Nov 2011
We went to Isandlwana in the early morning, and listened to a lecture by a man called Dalton, who was a great great grandson of one of the Zulu chiefs present at the battle. One is immediately struck by how well this battlefield is kept. There are literally dozens of small cairns of stones dotted about, and under which on average of 5 dead British Soldiers are buried. These cairns are brilliant white and are well maintained. On the rocky escarpment overlooking the plain is the place where "c" company made their last stand. Out of ammunition, and knowing that they were going to die, they fought to the last man, and were buried where they fell. Getting up to that cairn is some climb, but it was a place that I had to go t pay my respects. A place I will never forget.
Written December 2, 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
DianevanVuuren
Durban, South Africa193 contributions
Dec 2018
My husband and myself had a lovely day exploring the Isandlwana Battlefield with our guide Dalton - he is extremely knowledgeable and gave superb re-enactments whilst going through the battles.
Written January 9, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mary H
Stamford, UK252 contributions
Nov 2016 • Couples
Paul Garner drove us from our hotel to Isandlwana and Rorke's Drift Battlefields in a day full of moving stories about, firstly, the staggering defeat of the British Army who had engaged in a spurious battle with many thousand Zulus. Paul took us to a shady spot where we sat in chairs listening to his tales of how the soldiers on both sides gathered, how information was transmitted or not, and how, ultimately, the Brits lost. White cairns show where the many British soldiers died. A small group of about a hundred British combatants survived to fight many thousands of Zulus that afternoon at Rorke's Drift, with 11 Victoria Crosses awarded for the bravery shown by those helping some twenty or so wounded escape from the attacking Zulus. A very good small museum, memorials to both British and Zulu men and a shop with local art and craft were well worth visiting. Paul spoke passionately about personal stories of individuals and we would thoroughly recommend his tour.
Written November 19, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
larryandgwendainuk
Ashford, UK110 contributions
Mar 2016 • Couples
Paul was our guide for both Isandlwana and Rorkes Drift in March 2016. He is an excellent guide and his knowledge is second to none. No gimmicks just great knowledge and holds your attention. The sites came alive.
I would strongly recommend him as a guide to anyone. They will not be disappointed.
I would strongly recommend him as a guide to anyone. They will not be disappointed.
Written April 14, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Heddy G
Malvern, PA589 contributions
Jan 2016 • Friends
This was a lovely monument to visit. Very senic and a great place to take photos of the surrounding area. You can climb the small mountain if you want to or just wander around the monuments. WEAR SUNSCREEN - there is zero shade.
Written February 7, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
LarsH79
Oegstgeest, The Netherlands85 contributions
Oct 2015 • Couples
The site on itself is okay, nothing spectacular. But I would reckon if you can take a tour with a guide it will be very impressive as you will hear the stories and background info. As we were by ourselves it was a lesser experience. The ticket office is on the other side of town and you have to pay cash, creditcard is hardly working due to lack of wifi. When you enter the side you get a leaflet but that doesn't tell the story. So you're missing a lot if you don't have a guide.
Written January 14, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
1GailF
Durban, South Africa22 contributions
Apr 2015 • Couples
We had the pleasure of Dalton Lindizwe Ngobese's company for a day whilst at Rorke's Drift Hotel. He came highly recommend and we learnt a great deal of both sides of the story about the Battles at Isandlwana and Rorke's Drift.
Thank you Dalton for a very interesting and informative day bringing history to life.
Thank you Dalton for a very interesting and informative day bringing history to life.
Written April 27, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Visiting from cruise ship this year, Which tour companies take afternoon tours of Isandlwana and Rorke's Drift?
Written January 14, 2018
Hubby and I left our hotel in Durban at 7AM (with to-go breakfast on hand) to travel by land to reach Isandlwana. We got there close to mid-day and by the time we return to our hotel in Durban, that's with only 1 stop for bathroom break, it was already dark. You might want to communicate with the Tour services available how you can make your afternoon tour possible.
Written January 29, 2018
Hi
Where would you recommend staying please?
We are a family of 4 (3 boys 10 and 14). We will be travelling from Swaziland and then onto Durban. We would like to stay 2 nights.
Could you recommend what to do and where to stay?
Thanks
Written March 12, 2016
Hi Welsh_Bev
Fugitives’ Drift Lodge • Rorke’s Drift +27 34 642 1843 / +27 34 271 8051
Or try Rorke's Drift Lodge Rorke's Drift Lodge, Rorke's Drift, District Msinga, Physical address Rorke's Drift Lodge, Rorke's Drift, District Msinga
Postal Address:
P O Box 1270, Dundee, 3000, kwaZulu-Natal, South Africa or Post Restante, Rorke's Drift, 3016, kwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
Tel:
Reservations: +27 (0)34 642 1805
Administration: +27 (0)76 557 5508
Cell: +27 76 557 5508
Hope this helps and have a great time
Written March 14, 2016
Rorkes Drift was very disappointing. Obviously none of the buildings are original but they didn't even rebuild them on the same plot, and the landscape has been changed to accommodate tourists. Isandlwana however was truely magnificent. To walk up to the cave and see the bullet holes in the walls was thought provoking. A guide is definitely needed to bring it all to life... And a visit to Isandlwana Lodge (from where the Zulus directed the battle) will be an added bonus to your trip. However, as both battlefields are close, you can do both in one day as there is point in travelling so far without visiting both ( which you would later regret). We regret not taking time to visit Spienkop!
Written January 4, 2015
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