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Battlefield Region Guides based in Durban
and Coastal Areas
(Note: most Guides will cover all the areas and not just their home base)
Chris le Roux is an accredited National Tour Guide, all provinces. (KZN 160). He was born in Dundee, matriculated at Pinetown High School and at present resides on the Berea in Durban. He holds a B Mil (Hons) degree in Military History from the University of Stellenbosch and had a successful career in the SA National Defence Force. He enjoys to present a balanced account of the battle at hand, based on historical facts and likes to support it with his knowledge on strategy and movement. He offers individual guiding services and tailer made tours backed by a tour company in Durban.
Contact Tel/Fax +27312016301 Mobile +27828517750 E mail lerouxft@mweb.co.za
Don Botterill is a KZN registered tour guide specialising in one and two day tours to the Battlefields.His interest in Battlefields history stems from the involvement of his great grandfather who was sent to SA as part of Lord Chelmsford's forces in 1878 resulting in four generations of his family becoming born and bred KZ Natalians.Don's tours are personalised single party groups in a reliable and comfortable vehicle with all permits and licences in place.Visitors gain a true understanding of Zulu and Boer history and culture of the times as well as British Colonial attitudes.Don brings the battles back to life by explaining the strategies and retracting the footprints of the combatants and discussing the bravery and suffering of the men involved and examining the weapons of the time.
Contact tel: 031-7643063 Cell: 0824561805 Fax: 031-7641246 e-mail: daytours@telkomsa.net
Ken Gillings is a retired military man and has conducted tours around the battlefields of KwaZulu-Natal for over 30 years. He conducts tours of an elementary or technical nature to the scene of all actions in KwaZulu-Natal. He has undertaken extensive research into South African Battlefields, especially those of KwaZulu-Natal and has written numerous articles and books on the subject. Ken chaired the Anglo-Boer War Centenary Committee in KwaZulu-Natal. He is also registered for the Kruger National Park and all KwaZulu Natal Parks as well as being a registered Culture Guide for KwaZulu-Natal. He has studied the history, heritage and traditions of the ‘Land of Heaven’ since his school days and has spent a great deal of time exploring the rural areas of KwaZulu-Natal, which he knows intimately. He has lectured extensively on Zulu culture and the Zulu Dynasty.Tel: 031 702 4828 Fax: 086 684 5101 Cell: 083 654 5880 E-mail: ken.gillings@mweb.co.za
Nicki von der Heyde Your Specialist Battle Field Guide:
Nicki lives near Durban, KwaZulu-Natal. She graduated from the University of Cape Town having read English and History, and later taught history at high school. After raising a family, she combined her love for travel, horses and South African war history by introducing tours of the battlefields on horseback for the first time. Researching these routes led to the re-discovery of old trenches, gun emplacements, wagon trails, graves and other relics that she is now able to share with those wishing to explore the battlefields with her. Nicki arranges tours and excursions through the Anglo Zulu and Anglo Boer war battlefields and is renowned for her expert knowledge and passion for her subject. These tours may be in a safari vehicle, on horseback or on foot and include cultural experiences and spectacular scenery. She is a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society and an honorary life member of the Anglo-Zulu War Historical Society. She has three times been awarded “Tour Operator of the Year” award. This was in 2006 and 2008 and recently in 2009. Tel/fax +27 031 767 4166 E-mail: nicki@campaigntrails.co.za web: www.campaigntrails.co.za
Ron Lock is an Honorary Member of the Battlefields Region Guides Association, and is a battlefield guide and lecturer of many years' experience, leading tours to all the main battlefields - both Anglo Zulu and Anglo Boer War - in KZN. Author of 'Blood on the Painted Mountain', 'Zulu Victory: Isandlwana and the Cover-Up.', "Zulu Vaquished" and many articles on the Battlefields. He operates from Durban and specialises in tailor-made tours.
Email: ngobat@mweb.co.za
Warwick Baker is a specialist battlefields guide based in Durban. His interest in battlefields of KZN stems from childhood. An avid collector of Africana, he has done considerable research over the years and presents a view that is totally unbiased. Warwick tailors tours to suit client’s needs. He is also a provincial guide for KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga, Gauteng, wild life and rock art.
Tel: 031 267 1163 e-mail: siobhan@iafrica.com