KwaZulu-Natal

Museums & Exhibitions

This tour takes you into the north of KwaZulu-Natal where you will visit famous sites of the battlefields. There you will encounter museums, memorials and fields dedicated to the Anglo Zulu wars.  Your first stop will be the Isandlwana battlefield and museum. The Battle of Isandlwana on 22 January 1879 was the first major encounter in the Anglo–Zulu War between the British Empire and the Zulu Kingdom. Eleven days after the British commenced their invasion of Zululand in South Africa, a Zulu force of some 20,000 warriors attacked a portion of the British main column consisting of about 1,800 British, colonial and native troops and perhaps 400 civilians. The Zulus were equipped mainly with the traditional assegai iron spears and cow-hide shields, but also had a few muskets and old rifles though they were not formally trained in their use. Despite a vast disadvantage in weapons technology, the numerically superior Zulus ultimately overwhelmed the poorly led and badly deployed British.  The tour progresses to the Battle of Rorke's Drift, also known as the Defence of Rorke's Drift,. The defence of the mission station of Rorke's Drift immediately followed the British Army's defeat at the Battle of Isandlwana on 22 January 1879, and continued into the following day.  The last stop is Fugitives Drift and the Queens Colours memorial before we make the journey back to Durban.

Start the day with pickup from your accommodation then dive straight into your Durban adventure. Stroll through Africa’s oldest surviving Botanical Gardens and tap into its history and unique collections with a passionate horticulturist. Then meet the ‘loneliest man on the planet’, which is a tree, and discover the secret to invisibility. Next, unlock the trendy suburb of Glenwood, which is considered by many as the Arts Quarter of Durban. Explore on foot with local artists, Mooki Lion or Dane Stops, and track down the public portfolios of talented street artists. On the tour, uncover the underbelly of the city as you get into conversation about the social issues that underpin the art. Time to meet Mama Nkosi next, also known as the dancing curator of Phansi Museum, and the head honcho of one of the largest collections of indigenous art and crafts in KwaZulu Natal. Learn about indigenous beliefs, tribal culture and how people used the therapeutic nature of song and dance to deal with their emotions and feelings. Once you’ve worked up an appetite, taste the flavors of African cuisine and sample the popular delicacies of Durban such as bunny chow. With your energy levels restored, enter into the beating heart of the city, the Markets of Warwick. In the company of a local NGO, meet merchants peddling their wares and learn about the history, significance, and future of this remarkable space.  After the market, drive through the city center as your guide brings it to life with historical anecdotes. Finish the day at the creative hub that is Station Drive Precinct and enjoy an artisan gelato tasting with local creatives. For those who'd like to test out some craft beer, stroll over the S43 and try the refreshing flavors at That Brewing Company (at own expense).