Isandlwana, Rorkes Drift and Fugitives Drift Battlefields Day Tour from Durban
Recommended by 91% of travelers
Badge of Excellence
Durban, South Africa
- 14 hours (approx.)
- Pickup offered
- Group discounts
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
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Overview
Visit the Isandlwana Battlefields, where South African and British Colonial history was made in a major battle, on this full-day tour from Durban. With an historian guide to lead you, you'll learn about the great battle between the Zulu warriors and British troops in 1879. Stop at Rorke's Drift to visit the museum, as well as Buffalo River for lunch and refreshments. Entrance fees and round-trip transportation included.
- In-depth historical tour to the Isandlwana Battlefields
- Historian guide to fill you in on the detailed happenings of the major upset battle
- Stop at Buffalo River for lunch and refreshments (own expense)
- Admission to Rorke's Drift to peruse the museum
- Hotel pickup and drop-off included
What's Included
- Professional guide
- Pickup and drop-off from Hotels and Cruise Ships
- Food and drinks
Meeting and Pickup
You can head directly to the meeting point, or request pickup
Operating hours.6:00 am
Itinerary
1
Rorke's Drift Battlefield
Admission Ticket Included
2
Isandlwana Battlefield
Admission Ticket Included
3
Fugitive's Drift
30 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability
- 06:00 AM
- Not wheelchair accessible
- 07:00 PM
- You are looking for Battlefield Site Tour.
- Stroller accessible
- You want to experience and learn about the Battlefields of KwaZulu-Natal.
- Service animals allowed
- Near public transportation
- German and Polish languages can be requested (on request)
- Infant seats available
- No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
- Most travelers can participate
- Wheelchair user: Any traveler using wheelchair have to inform us for confirmation
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 99 travelers
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Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Reviews
4.8
based on 35 reviews
sheilamilward, Mar 2026
This was a 70th Birthday present holiday for my husband and this tour was the highlight of the holiday. What a thought provoking and poignant visit. You felt like you were walking on sacred ground. Our guide Zamani Shelembe a Zulu himself, gave us a warmth and depth knowledge of these incredible battles and we felt privileged to have such a friendly guide helping us to enjoy this tour to the best experience. Would definitely recommend both Zamani and this tour operator.
Richthehornet, Nov 2025
Long journey from Durban (about 4 hours) on some very rough and uneven roads but if military history, beautiful scenery and some wild animals are your thing then this tour is perfect!
John_H, Jun 2025
If you are into British historical events then this is a must see place. Our guide/driver was well informed and provided heaps of information including listening to a audiobook of the events pre/post the battles and the battles themselves. The trip out from Durbin took four hours there and fours back on poor sealed and unsealed roads although the scenery was quite picturesque. Bringing a packed lunch and drinks is essential.
John_F, Mar 2025
I had an amazing day travelling from Durban to the Zulu battlefields. The tour driver and director was called Fortune, a very knowledgeable and patient person. He made my day amazing by his insight, understanding and perfect customer service delivery and his company should mark this man out as the best tourist ambassador they have. Thanks for the memories Fortune and good luck my friend.
Response from Host, Apr 2025
We are so grateful to have Fortune on our team and we are happy that he meet you expectations and hope to host you again, next time you are in Durban
Crystal_C, Jan 2025
Excellent private tour with Fortune. It was great being able to go at my own pace and stop when I wanted. Would recommend!
Response from Host, Feb 2025
Thanks for booking with us and hope to take care of you next time you visit Durban
Edward_M, Jun 2024
Expensive. I paid 250 euro. But the best way for me to get in and out of the area. Roads are very poor for the last 40km of the journey in. Driver/guide was very good. The digital narration works.
Andrew_W, Mar 2024
The visit to the site of the battlefields is well worth the long journey.
My experience was spoilt by the fact I was charged for pickup and drop off at my hotel by the local tour operator when my confirmation said it was included. Viator refused to deduct this from my tour cost, which was £220. When I contacted the local tour operator the day before the tour, they didn’t even have me on then records, and it was booked 3 months beforehand.
Other people in my South Africa tour party booked the tour also through Viator for £120 and had lunch included, and I wasn’t even taken for a lunch stop all day by 1st Zulu Safaris.
Despite all these setbacks, I made the most of the day and enjoyed what I saw.
Michael_F, Dec 2023
A very good excursion.
Guide was excellent and well-informed.
The battlefields were interesting and the monuments and memorials were moving.
Good museums at Isandlwana and Rorkes Drift.
Excellent lunch at Fugitives Drift.
Thoroughly enjoyable.
Response from Host, Jan 2024
We are glad that you was taken good care of and hope to host you again next time you are in Durban
Veronica_S, Nov 2023
Our tour guide Thami picked us up at our chosen destination right on time. From meeting us he was full of information about our tour. After he told us what would happen on our tour. He played a cd that told the story of what happened at Isandlwana, Rorkes Drift and Fugitives Drift.
It brought the tour to life listening to it. When we arrived at Isandlwana, we went to the museum and watched a short video, before walking through the museum, where we seen many interesting exhibits. Thami then took us to the top of the hill and showed us where the Zulu formed their buffalo head and horns attack on Isandlwana. Thami them walked us round all the memorials, starting off with the Zulu memorial . It was amazing to be there and take in all the history. We then moved on to Rorkes Drift and Fugitives Drift, where Thami walked us around the museum and all the buildings and memorials, explaining what each one was. And telling us what happened at the different places. We finished at a beautiful Lodge at Fugitives Drift, where we had the most delicious lunch and met the most amazing hosts and staff. The whole tour was amazing and well worth the money.
Response from Host, Nov 2023
Thanks for choosing us to host you and we will let Thami know what a good job he did and hope to host you again next time you are in Durban
Brenda_H, Oct 2023
Benson our guide made the long trip more bearable with his own narrative of the Zulus plus the very informative cd that was played during the 4 hours of getting to the battlefields.
Paul_S, Aug 2022
This trip was not 2.5 hours each way as stated in the advert, it was closer to 4.5 hours each way… we had 9 hours travel and 3 hours at the battlefield sites….. our guide Benson didn’t give us any facts or history, we may as well have been sat in a taxi - I’m pleased we have seen the sites, but knowing now the time involved we would not have booked this
Response from Host, Sep 2022
We are surprised about your review because Benson Sabela your tour guide on the day is a real proud Zulu man who is knowledgeable about his country and the Zulu Anglo war which there is proof on previous write ups on February 2020 and many more about his tours of the battlefields. The starting time was 06:00am and tour ends around 19:00pm at your hotel
Giuseppe_M, Feb 2020
From our early morning pickup 0630 till we were dropped off at 1900 it was a Fabulous day. The guide was extremely knowledgeable and pointed out additional information along the way.Although it was quite a long journey he made a couple of refreshment stops along the way. There was the added bonus that my wife and I were the only two passengers which made the tour even more personal. My thanks to the guide and Viator.
Judith_D, Feb 2020
This tour was enjoyable on so many levels! The tour was provided by 1st Zulu Safaris, by our tour guide Benson, who was exceptionally knowledgeable, professional, personable and attentive the the groups every need and interest. Benson made this 12 hour day fun and educational, even for those individuals who were not history buffs. The 4 hour drive to the site was incredibly scenic and comfortable in luxury transportation. The return trip was through a different route, so you never got bored. Many photo opportunities. Upon arrival to Isandlwana and Roarkes Drift, everything was well organized, with interesting presentations and views of the authentic sites. Immersion in the cultural, as well as the historical events made the tour come alive. Lunch and numerous clean bathroom stops were offered. The day was long, but will live in my memory forever, as one of the most outstanding tours I have ever taken. I would definitely recommend 1st Zulu Safaris and Benson, as a tour guide, as not all tours to this area are quality adventures.
Response from Host, Feb 2020
i will make sure that Benson your guide gets to read this positive feedback. and we appreciate you taking time to write the review.
MICHAEL C, Dec 2019
I have long been interested in the History of this area and this trip exceeded my expectations. It was made all the more memorable by our excellent guide-Nay Nay-Apologies to him for any misspelling. He could not have been more helpful and accommodating-A day I will remember for years to come
James P. T, Jul 2017
The tour began with the on time arrival of Terry, my guide. Proceeding on the drive to the Battlefields, which took a couple of hours, a very informative tape was played that explained the history of the Zulu Wars and the events that surrounded the Isandlawana Battlefields. Terry provided additional information as we drove to the various sites. We stopped at several locations that provided fantastic views of the whole area, We, also, visited various museums and monuments along the way. Terry gave excellent briefings at each stop.
We rested at a lovely hotel for an excellent lunch. The veranda of the hotel overlooked the river crossing at Rourke's Drift and gave a panoramic view of the valley. This was a truly beautiful country! Visiting the actual battlefield of Rourke's Drift, Terry gave an excellent narration as we visited the museum and the various monuments. This was the culmination of our journey to Rourke's Drift.
This was an outstanding tour that conveyed the history of the Zulu War, the heroic stand at Rourke's Drift, and provided some of the most beautiful scenery in all of South Africa. I highly recommend this tour with THIS tour company!
Jan_K, Mar 2017
Booked this tour for my Welsh husband, who'd always wanted to visit....he absolutely loved it! Thammi and Bella, our guides were lovely and went out of their way to ensure he had a very memorable trip. A long drive there and back, but through the most beautiful contryside....and lunch at a very picturesque lodge overlooking the Buffalo River. Would recommend to anyone who has even a slight interest in zulu /British war and/or zulu history. Well done 1st zulu safaris who ran this trip for Viator
From $242.69
per personup to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
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Isandlwana, Rorkes Drift and Fugitives Drift Battlefields Day Tour from Durban
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