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Relive the memories and walk in the footsteps of three great leaders, Winston Churchill ,Mahatma Gandhi and Gen. Louis Botha. A story on which the sun never sets. Britain marched into the South African war in the spring of 1899, confident that it "would all be over by Christmas!" The war lasted three years and was to become the most costly Britain had ever fought. 'Generations to come will find it difficult to believe that a man such as Gandhi ever walked the face of this earth.' (Albert Einstein)
"Stand on the hill where history was written"
Quote by Winston Churchill: 'History will be kind to me for I intend to write it.' .'What do you have in common with Churchill, Gandhi and Botha?'
Spion Kop. If you should choose to visit.
This was the scene of one of the most futile and perhaps bloodiest of all battles fought in the 1899-1902 Anglo-Boer War. It is also where Winston Churchill as a 23-year-old war correspondent, stretcher bearer Mahatma Gandhi, and Boer General Louis Botha all fought at the same time before they went on to shape history. And it is where you could relive the memories of that day and walk in the footsteps of three great leaders with Anglo-Boer raconteur Raymond Heron of Spion Kop Lodge, should you decide to enjoy the area. The farmstead on which Spion Kop Lodge is located was seconded by the Commander-in-Chief of the British forces, Sir Redvers Buller, for his headquarters. His troops camped on the farm for several days prior to the Battle of Spion Kop. The British suffered heavy losses in an effort to relieve the beleaguered town of Ladysmith where their forces were besieged by Boer Commandos for 118 days.
Your host, Raymond, will accompany you to the many historic sights. He paints a vivid picture of the personal trauma and military mindset that resulted in the slaughter of so many British and Boer soldiers. Tours to the various battlefields can be made on horseback or in the comfort of an air-conditioned vehicle. It is a story on which the sun never sets.
DAY ONE
Arrive at Spion Kop Lodge .The farmstead on which Spion Kop Lodge is located, was seconded by the Commander-in-Chief of the British forces, Sir Redvers Buller, for his headquarters. His troops camped on the farm for several days prior to the Battle of Spion Kop. The British suffered heavy losses in an effort to relieve the beleaguered town of Ladysmith, where their forces were besieged by Boer Commandos for 118 days situated on the original Spearman farm in what is today a 700 hectare eco reserve, with some 270 bird species, an abundance of antelope, indigenous bush, and in June and July, a concentration of flowering Aloes ,whose beauty leaves one breathless. Allow some time to settle in and lunch and then depart for Mount Alice the site on which General Buller established his headquarters, Winston Churchill's camp and a lecture on the origins of the boer war followed by Sunset refreshments served on Mount Alice overlooking the Mountains and Spion Kop Nature Reserve. Returning to the lodge and Dinner. As the lodge looks out on to the kop and overlooks where Gen. Warren had his headquarter, it's easy to orientate oneself from the very first meal .
DAY TWO
Breakfast followed by a trip onto the Spion Kop Battlefield ,site of the most futile and probably bloodiest battle of the Anglo-Boer War ,fought on the 24 January 1900 .Your host and Anglo-Boer raconteur, Raymond Heron, will accompany you. He paints a vivid picture of the personal trauma and military mindset that resulted in the slaughter of so many British and Boer soldiers. Astoundingly, there were three men on Spion Kop that day, who were to influence the course of world history, Gen. Louis Botha, Winston Churchill and Mahatma Gandhi. Relive the memories of that day and walk in the footsteps of three great leaders
Lunch
Sunset boat Cruise on Spion Kop Dam in the Spion Kop Nature Reserve ,an opportunity to see some game before return to the lodge for cocktails followed by dinner.
DAY THREE
Breakfast
Visit the site of Churchill's capture
Tugela Heights and Colenso.
Lunch
Ladysmith Museum .- relief of etc
Return to the Lodge guests may cool down in the rock pool or simply relax before Dinner.
Breakfast
Departure.
* Apart from Battlefield Tours Spion Kop Lodge offers diverse activities. Bird watching, game viewing, sun set boat cruises, hiking, horse riding, and Golf (nearby), visits to San Rock Art and Drakensberg Boys Choir Recitals. Truly an OUT OF AFRICA Experience.
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