The Zulu & Boer Wars Battlefields tour is a gravel ride from the outskirts of Johannesburg to Isandlwana and Rorke’s Drift to explore the history of British Imperialism, The Great Trek, and Zulu fortitude. It is a ride to celebrate the immense bravery on all sides.

Map showing our tour route.

Route Profile – Circus Café to Rorke’s Drift

Day 1

Meet at Circus Café for a 7am departure – 122km’s.

Our tour starts at the Circus Café in Midvaal. If you need help getting to the start, please contact Reinhard or James who may be able to assist you. We aim to leave the Circus Café at 7am sharp, a long day’s ride on a mix of gravel and tar roads awaits us. From the Midvaal area we cross the Vaal River below Dennysville offering an unobstructed view of the Vaal Dam wall. Our route is on the south side of Vaal dam with the dam almost constantly in sight. The road is a quiet old tar road, normally offering a tail wind. Along the way we will have numerous stops for drinks and refreshments, all served from our support vehicle. Our accommodation is on the banks of Vaal Dam, and we should arrive in time for a late lunch. The afternoon is at leisure and join us for pre-dinner drinks at 18H00 followed by Dinner.

Day 2

Vaal Dam to Mamba Country Lodge – 132km

After an early breakfast, we leave Vaal Dam behind on route to Frankfort to take on the great gravel roads of the Northern Free State. We head east into the rising sun. Today’s ride is all about gravel farm roads with only the very occasional settlement or farmhouse. Our support vehicle will be on hand to provide ice cold Coke’s, water, and a large variety of snacks – nobody will go hungry or thirsty! As this is not a race, we expect the group to divide into faster and slower groups and as the route is a GPX track we hope that everyone will ride at their own pace. Your tour guides, Reinhard & James, will ensure no one gets lost. Mamba Country Lodge is situated next to a beautiful dam, and it offers all the amenities of a comfortable country house. We hope to arrive in time for a late lunch, the afternoon is at leisure and let’s meet at 18H30 for pre-dinner drinks.

Day 3

Mamba Country Lodge to Wakkerstroom – 113km

Today’s distance, coupled to a more undulating route, makes it the tough stage of the tour. Those who have taken it easy in the first two days will be richly rewarded with a fantastic day’s ride. It’s scenic, it has a coffee stop in Volksrust, and as we get closer to Wakkerstroom and the escarpment the scenery changes. It’s a beautiful day’s ride! We will be staying at the wonderfully comfortable Wakkerstroom Hotel, where in past we have enjoyed excellent meals and service.

Day 4

Wakkerstroom to Blood River – 120km

Today is heaven, a fantastic ride first up to the high point of the tour above Wakkerstroom and then a brilliant, scenic, wonderful gravel descent all the way to the town of Utrecht. After a slow start on the climbs, the final long descent into Utrecht must rate as some of the best gravel cycling in South Africa. From Utrecht the route flattens out, and we ride through farmlands before crossing the Buffalo River. After the river crossing it’s up the last rise of the day before a long gradual descent to Blood River. Today’s ride is characterized by brilliant gravel roads, ever changing scenery, climbs at the start, and the most wonderful downhills. Blood River is a historical site, and we will be staying on the very ground where the 1838 Battle of Blood River took place. We will have two options to offer: a night in one of the wagons or alternatively a night in a guest room. It will be a night under the stars, something very different to the norm with lots of good hospitality – lunch on arrival, dinner, a night in the historic Great Trek wagons, and a hearty breakfast before we take on the last day of our tour.

Day 5

Blood River to Rorke’s Drift via Isandlwana – 73km

Today it’s into rural Zululand we go! The roads remain scenic, with lots of kraals and friendly people along the way. It’s an undulating ride to Isandlwana – the infamous Battle Site where the Zulu Army soundly defeated the British Central Column in January 1879. A lecture at Isandlwana is planned – it’s a time to learn our history, to think and to reflect. From Isandlwana it’s a short 26km ride to Rorke’s Drift. Rorke’s Drift is incredibly famous in the annals of British Military history, often described as the most gallant stand of a small group of soldiers against enormous opposing numbers. After a visit to this historic site, we ride on to Rorke’s Drift Lodge a short distance away. Our last night will be a celebratory dinner, with awards being presented to those who have contributed to making the Tour memorable and unforgettable.

Day 6

Homeward Bound

After a leisurely breakfast we load bikes and baggage into trailers and it’s on the bus back to Johannesburg. Along the way there will be refreshment stops and we expect the bus to arrive in Rosebank in the early afternoon. Please arrange to be collected from the Engen Garage in Oxford Street, corner of Glenhove Road.