Embedded Files
Departure: Volksrust
Destination: Richards Bay
Start: 2021-04-04 06h55
End: 2021-04-04 16h02
Distance (km): 547
Travel Time (hrs): 8h09
Battle Fields / Graves / Museums visited:
eNtombe (Intombi) Battlefield [S27° 16' 23.9" E30° 40' 47.9"]
Khambula Battlefield [S27° 41' 17.1" E30° 40' 06.1"]
Blood River Poort Battlefield [S27° 46' 56.1" E30° 32' 10.0"]
Battle of Blood River [S28° 06' 18.9" E30° 32' 28.2"]
Due to time constraints, I could not visit the following sites that I had planned:
Rorke’s Drift Battlefield
Isandlwana Battlefield
The day started off overcast and cool (13,5C) and as I descended the Plateau to Piet Retief, it started getting warmer. I drove through Wakkerstroom before descending to Piet Retief. I was very impressed by the little town as it reminded me of Winterton. I encountered thick mist while descending the plateau to Piet Retief that slowed me down. The P45 paved road is in poor condition with many potholes.
By the time I got to the Battle of Blood River 266km later, the clouds had lifted and the temperature increased to 30C.
Due to the long distances between sites and the time I spent at the Battle of Blood River, I realized that I had run of of time to take the planned unpaved roads to visit other sites as one cannot afford to drive as the sun sets due to the danger of pot holes, animals and unroadworthy vehicles on the road. I therefore headed for Richards bay. The route passed a number of battle sites, which I hope to visit some time in the future.
I camped at the Richards Bay Caravan park which is on the beachfront with a steep descent from the camp sites to sea level. The park is well maintained with clean sites and ablutions. Each site has electrical power points, water taps and braai facilities.
I went to the Richards Bay Waterfront for fish and chips at Jack's restaurant.
eNtombe (Intombi) Battlefield [S27° 16' 23.9" E30° 40' 47.9"]
eNtombe (Intombi) Battlefield [S27° 16' 23.9" E30° 40' 47.9"]
This site is located on the banks of the Intombi Stream and commemorates the 61 British Soldiers who died in a battle on this site on 12 March 1879 during the Zulu War. This is next to the Hermannsburg Mission.
The last 500m of the road to this site would not be suitable to drive along in the wet season as there are deep ruts and the clay surface would make it very slippery.
The lonely church on the hillside includes a graveyard of fallen soldiers. The church is no longer in use.
This site commemorates the death of the British soldiers and Zulu Impi's who were killed in a battle on this site on 29 March 1879.
Khambula Battlefield [S27° 41' 17.1" E30° 40' 06.1"]
Khambula Battlefield [S27° 41' 17.1" E30° 40' 06.1"]
The route to this site was via unpaved forestry roads. The smell of eucalyptus and pine was fantastic. The route becomes more vague the closer you get. Eventually, the last 500m of road is more of an offroad track with a "4x4 only" sign. The setting is really beautiful.
This site commemorates the death of the British Soldiers and Zulu Impi's who were killed in a battle on this site on 29 March 1879 during the Zulu War.
Blood River Poort Battlefield [S27° 46' 56.1" E30° 32' 10.0"]
Blood River Poort Battlefield [S27° 46' 56.1" E30° 32' 10.0"]
This route was a 15km detour from the main route along unpaved roads and through a rural village. As one nears the GPS coordinates, one needs to realize it is time to park and walk through thick grass to the memorial site. I was glad I had my heavy motorcycle boots on as it made the walk easier.
The bronze memorial plaque was missing so there was no information on this site. Thank goodness the history of this 10min battle on 17 September 1901 between British and Boers is recorded on the Battlefields web site.
Battle of Blood River [S28° 06' 18.9" E30° 32' 28.2"]
Battle of Blood River [S28° 06' 18.9" E30° 32' 28.2"]
This was a MUST VISIT site on my list as I clearly remember the Battle of Blood River from the history books of my school days. One can book a camp site to stay over.
The unpaved road to this site was great fun as it takes one through commercial forests and farmlands. There were a number of sections that were corrugated and rutted, but the scenery made it all worthwhile.
This battle occured on 16 December 1838 on the banks of the Ncome river between a large army of Zulu Warriors and small band of Boers. During this viscous battle thousands of Zulu warriors were killed and 4 Boers were injured, none seriously.
Considering the distance needed to travel on unpaved roads, I was impressed on how many visitors were visiting this site. There is a restaurant, museum and curio shop. One needs to book for the restaurant as it is very popular. On paying the entrance fee, you can look around the museum and watch the interesting video of this battle. One can certainly understand why Afrikaners recognize the historical value of this battle. After the video you drive to the laager that is about 400m away on the banks of the Ncome river. The laager of 64 wagons and 3 cannons is very impressive and provides a great perspective of the battle site. There is a bridge over the Ncome river to the Ncome Museum and Zulu memorial site. Due to my poor planning I did not have time to visit the Ncome Museum.
One needs to plan for 2 hours when visiting this site. For further background, refer to the History Untold video.
In the centre of the Laager are three plaques confirming the occurrence of the battle and the vow made by the Boers after the battle.
The Vow
"My brothers and fellow countrymen we stand here now for a moment before a Holy God of heaven and earth to make a promise to him, if he would give us his protection and be with us, and give our enemy into our hands so that we may defeat them, we shall pass the day and date of each year as an anniversary and a day of thanksgiving in his honour like a Sabbath and we promise that we shall build a temple to his honour as it shall please him and that we shall tell this our children so that they may share in this with us to remembrance also for our rising generations so that the glory of his Name may be sanctified thereby and the Glory and Honour of victory shall be given unto him."
The laager is a replica of the wagons and cannons used at this time. The wagons were cast in steel, coated with zinc and then bronzed to preserve them.
Route - Volksrust to Richards Bay
Route - Volksrust to Richards Bay
Places travelled through:
Volksrust
Wakkerstroom
Dirkiesdorp
Piet Retief (Turnoff 6km before)
Hermannsburg Mission
Vryheid (Turnoff 6,5km before)
Kingsley
Nqutu
Babanango
Melmoth
Empangeni
Richards Bay
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse