Nearby Attractions:
Spioenkop
Spioenkop is an area steeped in South African history and natural beauty. The battlefield is an easy 30km drive from Oaklands, with the dam situated a further 10km away.
Spioenkop battlefield tour
Spioenkop is the site where one of the most ferocious battles occurred during the Anglo-Boer War over a hundred years ago.
On the 23rd and 24th of January 1900, the Boers and Brits engaged in bloody combat to gain control of Spioenkop, the commanding hill that was thought crucial in relieving Ladysmith.
Winston Churchill, a war correspondent at the time, witnessed the battle and wrote of the British defeat:
"Many of the wounds were of a horrible nature. The splinters and fragments of the shells had torn and mutilated in the most ghastly manner."
Today visitors can explore the battlefield site and trace the events which unfolded between the ridge and the summit. Knowledgeable guides are available for informative tours.
The summit of Spioenkop also offers one of the most breathtaking panoramic views of Natal.
Spioenkop Dam and Nature Reserve
Spioenkop Dam and Nature Reserve encompass an area of 4400 hectares, which is protected by the KwaZulu-Natal Nature Conservation Service.
Spend a day at the dam waterskiing, boating and fishing for carp, bass, bluegill and tilapia.
The nature reserve is rich in game including giraffe, buffalo, eland and white rhino. Visitors can take guided walks through the park to view the indigenous plant and wild animal life unique to the area.
Daytrip coordinated by Oaklands
Contact Oaklands staff and arrange a knowledgeable guide to take guests through the battlefield tour. We also provide and host a delicious picnic lunch and take care of all boating and water sport requirements. All you have to do is relax and enjoy!
