Boer War Battlefields & Safari

Today, discover Cape Town on a private tour combining iconic sights, rich history and spectacular scenery. Begin with a cableway ride up Table Mountain for panoramic views across the city, Table Bay and the coastline. Continue into the historic city centre to visit landmarks including the Castle of Good Hope, the Company's Garden and the South African Museum. As you explore historic squares and Victorian architecture, your guide will reveal Cape Town's fascinating past, including its role as an important British centre during the Anglo-Boer War.

Today, enjoy a classic Cape Peninsula tour, travelling along the spectacular Atlantic Seaboard towards Hout Bay and Cape Point before returning via the False Bay coast. Visit the famous Boulders Beach to see its resident African penguin colony before continuing through Simon's Town, one of South Africa's most historic naval towns. Here, your guide can highlight the town's Boer War connections, including its importance as a British naval base during the conflict and the movement of troops and prisoners through the Cape. Continue along the coast before returning to Cape Town, via Chapman’s Peak Drive – one of the world’s most beautiful roads.

Depart Cape Town and make your way to Kimberley, the historic diamond-mining city that played an important role in the Anglo-Boer War. On arrival, meet your local representative and transfer privately to your hotel. Spend the afternoon discovering Kimberley independently. Known for its extraordinary diamond-mining history and rich connections to the Anglo-Boer War, the city offers plenty to explore before the battlefield touring begins in earnest.

Today, delve into Kimberley's fascinating history on a private full-day tour. The focus can be tailored towards the Anglo-Boer War, with visits to Magersfontein and Modder River and an exploration of the military campaign around Kimberley, or can incorporate more of the city's extraordinary diamond-mining story, including the Big Hole and the rise of Cecil Rhodes. Together, the history of diamonds and the Boer War provide a fascinating introduction to the forces that shaped modern South Africa.

Today’s focus is the dramatic Battle of Paardeberg, fought on the banks of the Modder River. Following the British defeat at Magersfontein, Lord Roberts assumed personal command of a significantly reinforced army. Major General John French’s cavalry outflanked the Boer positions and cut their lines of communication, forcing the Boer forces to retreat towards Bloemfontein. General Piet Cronjé's slow-moving column was intercepted at Paardeberg, where a prolonged siege followed. The battle culminated in Cronjé's surrender, one of the most significant British victories of the war and a major turning point in the campaign for the Free State.

Follow Lord Roberts's advance towards Bloemfontein, visiting key battlefields along the route. After allowing his troops time to recover following the fighting at Paardeberg, Roberts resumed his advance towards the Free State capital. Today's battlefield journey takes in Poplar Grove and Driefontein, bringing this pivotal stage of the Anglo-Boer War to life as you travel towards Bloemfontein. Arrive in Bloemfontein and settle into your historic country estate.

Explore some of Bloemfontein's most important sites connected with the Anglo-Boer War and its aftermath. Begin at the War Museum of the Boer Republics, the world's only museum dedicated exclusively to the Anglo-Boer Wars. Continue to the National Women's Monument, a striking sandstone obelisk commemorating the thousands of Boer women and children who died in British concentration camps. If of interest, a Bram Fischer component can also be incorporated, exploring the life of the prominent Afrikaner lawyer who later became part of Nelson Mandela's legal defence team.

After breakfast, you'll be transferred to the airport for your flight to Kruger National Park. On arrival, meet your guide and begin your journey into the spectacular wilderness of the Greater Kruer National Parks Private Game Reserve. As you travel deeper into the reserve, keep watch for your first glimpse of Africa’s iconic wildlife. Arrive at your private lodge, where you’ll settle in and spend the next three nights surrounded by the sights and sounds of the bush.

Your first full day in the Greater Kruer National Park begins with an early morning game drive, when the bush is at its most active. Return to the lodge for breakfast and some time to relax before heading out again in the afternoon.

The Greater Kruer National Park is renowned for exceptional leopard sightings, along with its healthy populations of lion, elephant, buffalo and rhino. Game drives are led by experienced guides and trackers, with the freedom to spend time wherever the wildlife action is best.

Make the most of your final full day in the Greater Kruer National Park with another pair of game drives. This is your opportunity to search for any species still on your wish list, or simply enjoy more time with the animals you've encountered during your stay.

Between drives, relax at Idube and enjoy the peaceful surroundings of the lodge.

After breakfast and one last game drive, say farewell to a life-changing Africa experience as you head to the airport for your connecting flight to your international departure.