COLENSO Attractions

KwaZulu Natal Destinations

Colenso, Battlefields

Colenso

The smaller neighbour of Ladysmith, the quiet town of Colenso lies in the foothills of the Drakensberg, on the banks of the Thukela River. It is one of few towns in the area to maintain its country atmosphere and has a little over 6 000 residents.

Used as a base by the British Army during the Anglo-Boer War, the town is also known as eSkipeni (Zulu for Place of the Boat). Today its peaceful atmosphere belies the battle that ensued here, regarded as one of the lowest points of the British Army.

The Battle of Colenso, fought on 15 December 1899, was the first of five battles to try and lift the siege on Ladysmith. This battle was fought on three fronts, none of which managed success - one was repulsed, one was ambushed, and the last came under heavy fire and had to abandon its advance. In the process of attempting to retrieve guns, a number of men were lost including Lieutenant Freddy Roberts, son of Field Marshall Lord Roberts. In total 1100 men were killed at Colenso versus the eight Boers who lost their lives.

Colenso’s main attraction is to visit the several sites commemorating parts of this battle, including the Ambleside Military Cemetery, open daily. A number of smaller battles that became known collectively as the Battle of Tugela Heights - possibly the largest battle ever fought by the British Army up until the Second World War - were fought a short distance from Colenso, en route to Ladysmith.

Get the Scoop

Colenso Reviews

average visitor rating: 3/5 "We came to Colenso with the intention of exploring the historical battlegrounds. It was very interesting, and very beautiful too. We felt like we were miles ..." - Ella, Virginia USA

view or submit colenso reviews

Featured Attractions in (or near) Colenso

Bloukrans Monument

The Bloukrans Monument marks the communal grave of those Voortrekkers - men, women and children, along with their servants - killed on the banks of the Bloukrans River in what went down in history as nothing short of a massacre by the Zulus, in the year 1837. The monument today ... more information

Fort Durnford Museum

Fort Durnford was built out of local sandstone in a strong rectangular shape with thick, high walls and a couple of prominant towers. It was built to serve as a stronghold on a rise overlooking the old military post at Bushman's River drift. It is said to rest where the Voortrekker ... more information

Nambiti Game Reserve

Nambiti's chief appeal is its exclusivity as the only reserve in Kwazulu-Natal with big 5 viewing. Lion, elephant, leopard, buffalo and rhino are included in the 30 species of game the malaria-free 22 000 acre reserve offers in Ladysmith close to the southern Drakensberg, just three hours from ... more information

Spioenkop Dam Nature Reserve

Lying virtually at the foot of the rugged Spioenkop Mountain, the dam was the site of one of the most bloody battles to ensue during the Anglo-Boer War in an attempt to lift the Siege of Ladysmith, Spioenkop Dam Nature Reserve is 4 400 hectares of thorn savannah that contrast magnificently with the ... more information

view all attractions in Battlefields

Things To Do in Colenso

Ladysmith Siege Museum

Where: Ladysmith
How much (per person): R1 to R100

The Ladysmith Siege Museum, on Murchison Street next to the Ladysmith Town Hall, is housed in a building built in 1884 - regarded bot ... more information

Colenso Museum

Where: Colenso
How much (per person): On Request

The Colenso Museum, built in 1879, is also known as the Robert E. Stevenson Museum because of the military historian and former director of ... more information

view all things to do in Colenso

On Holiday in Colenso

• Ladysmith Accommodation
• Ladysmith Hotels
• Battlefields Accommodation
• Battlefields Hotels
• Battlefields Route Map
• KwaZulu Natal Accommodation

Visiting Colenso?
Also see Things To Do in Battlefields or check out Things To Do in KwaZulu Natal to view activities by category, including watersports, sightseeing activities, arts & crafts and many, many more.

click to view