Evan Jones is our man in The Battlefields; one of the top guides in the region of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa so important to Zulu, Afrikaans and English South Africans. In one small area located around the town of Dundee, are found the battlefields from three major conflicts. Here is found Isandlwana and Rorke’s Drift, made famous by Michael Caine in the 1960’s film ‘Zulu’.
Born in the UK, but raised in South Africa, Evan has been a registered Specialist Battlefields Guide since 1991 and has run his own guiding business since 1996. He is also a registered guide for the KwaZulu-Natal, Free State and Northern Cape Provinces. In 2003, Evan became the first South African member of the International Guild of Battlefields Guides. This was capped with the award of Badge No.27 by Professor Richard Holmes, patron of the International Guild of Battlefield Guides at the Guild’s annual dinner in London in 2007. Evan is currently Chairman of the Kwa-Zulu-Natal Battlefields Route.
Evan has knowledge a plenty, but he also has the gift of being able to share that knowledge through human stories. Battlefields are a mass of stories and Evan is a story teller.
The Trip
With over 30 battlefields in the region of northern KwaZulu-Natal from three major conflicts (and numerous other ones), you could easily spend two weeks exploring the area and still not see all there is to see. However, most visitors opt to visit the major battlefields and use their experience to draw a flavour of all the others. A two day itinerary, guided by Evan, is a great way to do this. However, if you want more, then just ask as we can always put together an itinerary just for you. Accommodation will vary depending upon budget and style.
Suggested two day itinerary: A Flavour of African Battle with Evan Jones
Day 1
Transferring from either from the Drakensberg, the Midlands or the northern Reserves, you will meet Evan in Dundee and make your way to the site of the Battle of Blood River, where in 1838 a small party of Voortrekkers defeated the Zulu Army. A seminal event for both the Zulu and the Afrikaaner people, this site is the perfect introduction to your tour.
After visiting the two museums and walking the field, you will progress to the Talana Museum, an award winning museum which tells the story of the first battle between the British and the Boers in the 2nd Anglo-Boer War.
In the evening you will return to Dundee and retire for your evening meal and a night at your hotel.
Day 2
Up early, after breakfast, Evan will meet you and take you to the haunting battlefield of Isandlwana, where, on 22 January 1879, the British Army suffered its heaviest defeat. So much is known about this battle from the testimonies of both Zulu veterans and British survivors that this stunning landscape is brought to life through Evan’s stories and a battle of 132 years ago is made real and vivid.
From Isandlwana, you will make the short journey to Rorke’s Drift, the famous defence of a medical post by a handful of British and colonial forces. The medical post has been recreated and stones mark the barricade of biscuit tins erected in desperate defence by the invaders. It does not take much to imagine the sound of battle and Evan’s skilful story telling paints a colourful picture indeed.
To include this itinerary in your trip, or to build a longer ‘battlefields’ segment guided by Evan, just ask your African Space travel consultant.
