Ron Gold - Anglo Boer War, Voortrekker, Zulu & Boer War Battlefield tours

Ron Gold provides access to Anglo Boer, Voortrekker & Zulu War battlefields in the Drakensberg, Natal Midlands and Battlefields regions. Ron Gold specialises in Spioenkop, Colenso, and Thukela Heights, as well as to other Anglo Boer War battlefields. Ron is a registered battlefields guide and will bring these bygone conflicts back to life during a day or weekend trip that you will long remember.

For as long as Ron can remember history held his  fascination annd now that he is retired and lives in this area of such rich historical significance he takes pleasure in hosting guided tours, mostly of the Anglo-Boer War battlefields and specialise particularly in the battles of Colenso and Spieonkop.

South African historical sites dating back to the clashes between the Zulu impis and the Voortrekkers (ie: early European settlers) are situated in the region The sites of early Boer laagers that provided the backdrop for horrible massacres as well as great heroism can also be seen

Full Day Tour - Anglo Boer War Battles of Colenso & Spioenkop Winston Churchill's Capture Site & the Battle of Colenso

The guided tour starts with Frere. This is the Anglo Boer War incident that may well have been the launching pad of Winston Churchill’s political career. Hear of his heroics during the Boer attack on the armoured train, his capture and incarceration in Pretoria, and his subsequent escape and return to the scene of his capture.

Thereafter the guided tour moves on to Clouston and you talk through the Battle of Colenso from what was Gen. Sir Redvers Buller’s command centre. The Battle of Colenso - the final disaster of the Anglo Boer War “Black Week” - was the culmination of an unfortunate period in British military history. You’ll cover the incident of the “Saving of the Guns” – 6 Victoria Crosses were won in as many minutes. And the battle in The Loop that led to the formation of The Irish Guards. The Battle of Colenso produced innovations in concealment tecniques – on the Boer side - resulting in over 80% of the British soldiers, involved in the front line of the battle, stating that they "did not see a Boer all day". We’ll also talk about the much-vaunted new explosive – lyddite – used by the British artillery and the smokeless powder in the Mauser rifle cartridges used by the Boers.

There is a visit to the Gun Site, Ambleside Cemetery, The Loop and Chieveley.

After lunch in Winterton, you press on to the summit of Spioenkop – the “Acre of Massacre”. Arguably, the best known of all the battles of the Anglo Boer War, this senseless slaughter was a tragic foretaste of what was to follow during the trench warfare of 1914-18. You will hear the almost unbelievable series of blunders by the British commanders as well as the brilliance of the Boer leader, Louis Botha.

The lonely Spioenkop hilltop – possibly one of the best preserved battlefields in the world – became, for a few hours, the platform (in varying degrees) for three future world leaders: Louis Botha, Winston Churchill and Mahatma Ghandi.

Half Day Tour - Anglo Boer War Battle of Willow Grange

When the Anglo Boer War broke out, late in the year 1899, the Commandos from the Boer Republics of the Transvaal and the Orange Free State advanced into the Province of Natal hoping to gain a quick advantage over the then outnumbered British forces. Preliminary Anglo Boer War battles culminated in the British army being besieged in Ladysmith, and the Boers dispatched a raiding party to reconnoitre deeper into Natal.

Willow Grange is one of the most unspoiled pieces of Africa in our area. You'll drive up the old Natal Government Railway railbed, from the original Willow Grange station, onto Brynbella Hill and enjoy spectacular views of unspoiled countryside. After viewing the Boer positions, the tour continues on towards Harris Hill where the story of this landmark battle unfolds.