Hlobane Battlefield
28 March 1879
In the early hours of 28 March 1879 two British columns mounted an attack on the abaQulusi stronghold on Hlobane Mountain. Their advance was observed by the abaQulusi and their allies who attacked the one section of the British force on the summit, forcing the British to retreat down a mass of enormous boulders now known as “Devil’s Pass”. While the battle was in progress, the main Zulu army appeared while en route to attack the British camp at Khambula and a section was detached to join the battle. They advanced up Ntshenteka Nek and attacked another section of the British force, which suffered heavy casualties.
20Km from Vryheid on Hlobane Road. Hlobane Mountain and battlefield are on private mine property and not open to the public. Special permission must be obtained to enter. The route to Ntshenteka is very badly signposted. There is no on site information and the services of a Guide and a 4×4 vehicle are needed to visit this site.
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Such great information – pity there are no entrance fees attached.
Hello Linda,
For this site there are no entrance fees, but unfortunately to gain entry you have to contact the mine management, which is difficult and then the track to the top is often so badly eroded that only the toughest 4×4 can make it. You really need to contact one of the Dundee Guides who can help you.
It is a spectacular site to visit with an incredible story.
Having visited several of the Anglo-Zulu War sites I have to say that Hlobane is very emotive – with such a great story and a fantastic landscape upon which it all played out. We visited in the Spring of 2023 with Doug Rattray and Stui of Fugitives Drift Lodge. It certainly needs the good 4×4 and a good navigator, but one is well rewarded. Doug found us Martini-Henry cartridge cases where Buller first came up ont the mountain. As for the Devil’s Pass it defies belief that they could even walk horses down there. Doug found us his best guess at the site of “Mossops Leap” The views are amazing and you feel you are walking on history.