Isandlwana, Rorkes Drift and Fugitives Drift Battlefields Day Tour from Durban

Highlights

Inclusions

Itinerary

1. 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.

   Admission included

2. 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.

   Admission included

3. The last stop is Fugitives Drift and the Queens Colours memorial before we make the journey back to Durban

   30 min

Cancellation

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the experience starts, for a full refund.

Reviews

Ratings come from 39 reviews collected by our booking partner. They are travellers' own words, in the order they were written — never reordered to flatter the experience.

Showing reviews written in English.

• 5Great trip

  Excellent. Very interesting audio info plus very good guide

  isabelhE5393DJAugust 2026via Tripadvisor

• 5Lasting experience

  Lasting experience to Islandwana, Rorkes Drift and Fugitives Drift. Despite only booking one day before, efficient collection and SUV with guide was on time. 13 hour round trip but once there it was deep experience. Nothing was too much trouble for my guide and driver Bule and we spoke much about the Zulu culture on the trip. Important to go to all 3 sites including Fugitives Lodge. Played an audio guide on the way there which was super good.

  RhubharbJuly 2026via Tripadvisor

• 5This was a great tour....

  This was a great tour. Fortune my guide was very knowledgeable, friendly and chatty. He did try to give an answer/explanation to all my questions. He also played a tape which explained the history and the sequence of the battles prior to arriving to each Battlefield. It was very informative and helped understanding the displays in the museums easier. Really recommend this tour. It’s a long day but worth it and if you get Fortune as your guide. You are very lucky.

  Susanne_NMay 2026via Viator

• 5Fascinating, informative insight into the Anglo-Zulu wars.

  This was a wonderful day for anyone interested, or studying, the Anglo-Zulu Wars. Fortune, our excellent driver, collected us from our hotel, in Durban, at 6 am. The journey to Isandlwana was long but included two stops for coffee, snacks and the Rest Room. Fortune was very knowledgeable and able to explain the Zulu aspects of the battle, which were new to us. There is a small, but beautifully designed museum, containing some unique artefacts. Fortune drove us to Rorke's Drift, crossing the Buffalo River, where we visited the museum. Although none of the original buildings survive, the setting, in the hills, was dramatic and it was easy to imagine the battle. We had the museum to ourselves but there is a self-guided tour accessible by mobile phone. The memorial to the Zulus was particularly impressive. A small cafe provided a welcome coffee and snack. There is also a craft shop, selling beautiful pottery and hand-made, fabric gifts. Fugitive's Drift was accessed through a wildlife reserve, where, much to our surprise, we saw giraffes, zebra and impala. On rare occasions, leopards can be seen there, too. Altogether, this was a very worthwhile excursion and we cannot thank Fortune enough for his knowledge, care and attention.

  Janet186455April 2026via Tripadvisor

• 5Milward

  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.

  sheilamilwardMarch 2026via Viator

• 5Stunning landscape

  Our driver Zamani was outside the hotel nice and early. For the 6am start. It takes around 3.5 hours to get there. After a stop about half way fuel and cold drinks. Zamani walked round the battle field with us pointing out and telling all the important things that we wouldn't no. Rorke's Drift. Isandiwana tour brilliant. Thanks to the team who put the trip together for us. A special thank you to Zamani . For a wonderful day. Rob &Sue Thomson

  robtU6825RAFebruary 2026via Tripadvisor

Know before you go

How it compares in Durban

• Its from-price is 11% above the median of the 90 day trips we list in Durban.
• It is longer than most of them.
• By number of reviews it ranks 7 of 90.
• The operator lists free cancellation on it.

About Durban

Durban is South Africa's warm Indian Ocean port, a city of golden beaches, Zulu and Indian culture, curry and the hills of KwaZulu-Natal.

Durban sits on a natural bay on the Indian Ocean in KwaZulu-Natal, and its port is one of the busiest in Africa. The Golden Mile, a promenade backed by hotels and lined with sand, runs along the beachfront, and the Moses Mabhida Stadium, built for the 2010 World Cup, has a great arch that visitors can climb or ride up. The city has a subtropical climate with warm sea water all year.

Top-ranked sights in Durban: Sani Pass, iSimangaliso Wetland Park, Victoria Street Market.

See all 361 experiences in Durban