The Midlands region is known for its scenic beauty with meandering routes linking outlets and picturesque villages. The area is home to some of South Africa's best hotels, guest houses and bed & breakfast establishments. The Battlefields region l is home to the largest concentration of historical battlefields in South Africa and is a popular destination for visitors from all over the world. Every town in this area has a historical building or memorial that tells its own story in South Africa's colorful history. The Midlands region is an area stretching from the foothills of the Drakensberg mountains in the west, to the KwaZulu Natal coastal area in the east and characterised by a number of rivers which make their way through the region together with the many indigenous forests found in the region. The main attraction is the renowned arts and crafts trail, the Midlands Meander.
The Midlands Meander covers an area of about 80km’s with more than 160 places to eat, drink, sleep, shop, play as well as a diverse and fascinating collection of arts and crafts. There are weavers, potters, wood crafters, leather workers, artists, metalworkers, box makers, herb growers, cheese makers, beer brewers and more. The Midlands is also home to many historical buildings, several of which date back to the 1880's.
The Battlefields region boasts the largest concentration of historical battlefields in South Africa. Many wars that shaped both South African and world history were fought in this region of KwaZulu Natal. The earliest of these clashes were between the Voortrekkers and the Zulu nation during the period 1836-1852. Thereafter the Zulu nation was in conflict with British forces in the Anglo-Zulu War of 1879. Two years later the British were again at war in South Africa, this time against the Boers in the First War of Independence, also referred to as the First Anglo-Boer War. The Anglo-Boer War saw Britain and the Boers one again in conflict.
While most visitors to the region treat their Battlefields tour as a self-drive experience you may also utilize the services of a specialist battlefields guide. Using the facilities of a coach tour you can experience a variety of the Battlefields regions in air-conditioned comfort within a single day's outing. These excursions usually follow the progress of a war from site to site, or explore local sites from different wars. Every town, historical building, battle site and memorial has a fascinating tale to tell, an event to commemorate, a poignant memory to recall.
Information on towns in the Midlands and Battlefields Region
Bishopstowe, Curry's Post, Dargle, Dundee, Estcourt, Geluksburg, Hilton, Howick, Isandlwana, Lidgetton, Mooi River, Newcastle, Nottingham Road, Pietermaritzburg, Rosetta, Spioenkop Dam, Wartburg
