|
Campaign Trails' depth of
knowledge of historical activities enables this
additional perspective to enhance the background
of our popular programmes:
Tours are generally for 12
nights in the country; with flights to &
from Europe it is a two week vacation. Surface
travel is by hired self-drive touring vehicle.
Travellers may book their own flights and add
personal requirements at the beginning or end of
the tours which all run from Johannesburg and
finish in Durban. |
|
|
Charles
Aikenhead is a partner in Campaign
Trails Adventures and divides his time between
his house in Ladysmith and a family home in the
UK, to cover business and family interests. His
boyhood in Zimbabwe and Zambia was followed by
public school in England before a commission in
The Irish Guards with active service in Aden as
well as tours in Hong Kong, Belize and Cyprus.
Leaving the Army in '74 as a graduate mechanical
engineer he has had a commercial career in the
supply of capital plant for cheese manufacture
and packaging machinery throughout the UK and
Ireland, and has now handed over the company he
started in '81 to his elder son. His return to
Southern Africa in 2000 was to commemorate the
centenary of the foundation of his Regiment.
He initiated the Ladysmith Swartkop Challenge
and has written several articles on The
Anglo-Boer and Anglo-Zulu Wars. His speciality
is combining adventure training activities with
battlefield visits for serving units of the
British Forces.
UK contact details
Lawn House, Cornard Tye, Sudbury CO10 0QA.
Tel/Fax: 01787 376337
Mobile: 07836
222134
Ladysmith contact
details
4a Hunter Road, Ladysmith
Tel: 036 631 4191
Email: c.aikenhead@virgin.net
or historyhub@telkomsa.net
http://www.campaigntrails.co.uk/
http://www.swartkopchallenge.com/ |
|
| |
|
|
Campaign Trails offer twelve
day tours which include visits to specific sites
to co-incide with the anniversary of the action
that took place there. The depth of knowledge of
our enthusiastic specialist guides ensures a
fascinating experience. These tours are general
self-drive (although one could request a fully
guided tour if preferred) and, of course, we
would be able to assist with any add-on
excursions to other parts of the country. The
tours centre around Rorke's Drift (Anglo-Zulu
War); Spioenkop (Anglo-Boer War); Siege of
Ladysmith (Anglo-Boer War): Capture of Winston
Churchill (Anglo-Boer War).Of course, by
selecting a tour to fall on the anniversary of a
particular action, one still visits the other
sites. |
|
Visit the sites of Historic
Events in South Africa on the dates that they
occurred.
Capture of Winston Churchill 'Greatest
Briton of 20th Century' Where and
why...
| Anniversary
Date |
Tour Start
Date |
Tour End
Date |
| 15th November |
11 November |
23
November |
Rorke's Drift - the epic defence of the
Mission Station after the Battle of
Isandlwana
| Anniversary
Date |
Tour Start
Date |
Tour End
Date |
| 22 January |
13 January |
25
January |
Spioenkop 2009 - the bloodiest
encounter of the South African War when Boer and
British soldiers fought to a standstill. The
poignant battlefield is a world class
destination.
| Anniversary
Date |
Tour Start
Date |
Tour End
Date |
| 24 January |
20 January |
1
February |
Siege Weekend at Ladysmith - enjoy the
best of our weather and commemorate the relief of
the 118-day Siege.
| Anniversary
Date |
Tour Start
Date |
Tour End
Date |
| April |
Tuesday before |
Monday
after |
These tours include, not only
battlefields, but also a sojourn in the
magnificent uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park - a World
Heritage Site, game viewing in one of our luxury
game reserves and a few days to unwind on the
tropical coast of the Indian Ocean. Available as
fully guided group tours (minimum 8 pax) or as
self-drive excursions.
|
Thursday 8th April -
Monday 12th April 2010
Our expertise in creating an experience of
history opens the door on events that held the
world on edge at the beginning of 1900. British
global supremacy was at risk and Ladysmith was
the name for which its Empire held their breath.
Valour and sacrifice from both Boers and British
are commemorated in the extreme sports contest
of the Swartkop Challenge. . See http://www.swartkopchallenge.com/
Visit the historic town of Ladysmith to
experience the activities of the Siege Weekend
witih crafted programme and expert guidance,
experiencing the unique Extreme Sport of the
Swartkop Challenge and appreciating the history
at its roots.
|
|
Our proposal includes:-
Arrival on Thursday evening at
comfortable ensuite accommodation
Friday: Meeting with guide and
a background history brief after breakfastVisit to
the world-renowned Siege MuseumVisit to
Observation Hill Travel to Spioenkop for guided
tour and appreciation of the Tugela Line
Saturday: Visit to the
practice day of the Swartkop Challenge and guided
tours to Wagon Point, Caesar's Camp. Intombi
neutral camp option.
Inclusion in
commemorations and municipal reception
Sunday; you will be a VIP
guest to experience the feats of the competing
teams during their challenge against the Hill, the
Gun and the Clock. Complimentary CD of official
photos (max 700mb)
Monday; Open programme of your
choice with qualified guide, to visit any of the
sites of interest within reach, and allow you to
fulfil the remainder of your programme.
|
Campaign Trails has put
together a 13 day tour to appeal to all age
groups who desire to camp out under the vivid
African sky with the distant sound of jackal
yelping in the dusk as one gathers round the
fire.
This holiday of a life time
includes time in the uKhahlamba-Drakensberg
World Heritage Site, pony- trekking with a chuck
wagon in attendance, opportunities to visit
battle sites of world renown, game viewing in
world class game reserves (from horse back an
option), lazying at the beach in the sun and
salt spray (whale watching also an option,
depending on season). |
|
Price includes all activities as
specified on final itinerary, guiding where
required, hire of vehicle, accommodation and
meals. |
