Easby Guest House
Tours
Step back Into Our Romantic Past. Situated against the slope of Thaba Nyama, Easby is rich with history of the Anglo Boer War, as told by our
THETA-Registered Tour Guide.
Easby House was the pride of the houses built by the Covetry family, who emigrated to South Africa from Acton in England in 1860. They settled in this area in 1868. The four sons and their descendants became the well known 'Acton Homes Community'. Well known, not only because of their position - directly on the Golden Gateway from Durban to the gold of the Transvaal & the diamonds in the Free State - but was also directly in the path of the British Army's march to relieve Ladysmith.
Easby House was built in the late 1890's and completed two years before the outbreak of the Anglo - Boer War. It was evacuated when hostilities broke out in the area, and occupied by the Boers as quarters and used as ammunition stash while building their defences on ThabaNyama.This famous mountain is situated directly behind Easby House, and a wonderful Battle site & Historic trail starts 20m from its back door. With the even more famous Spion kop towering over this part of the range, history itself sometimes seems to pause for a replay here.
Experience the fascination of Spion Kop. Relive our glorious past, where real heroes lost their lives in pursuit of their dreams. The war cries of the soldiers of the British Empire still reverberates against the slopes of Thaba Nyama and the Tugela Ridge. A full day tour includes a preliminary talk, Ladysmith, Colenso, Light lunch, and Sion Kop.
TOUR GUIDE PROGRAMS & ITINERARIES FOR HISTORIC & CULTURAL TOURS IN NATAL & DRAKENSBERG AREA
| Tour Guide Fees :- | R1000.00 (1 - 10 people) per full day |
|---|---|
| R100.00 per person ( 11 people or more) per full day | |
| Bus tours/large groups (36 people or more):- | R25.00 pp for 1/2 day tour R50.00 pp for full day tour |
| Assistance guide will be available in my absence. | |
| Tour Guide fees are subject to change | |
Suggested itineraries:
| 1. | Spion Kop (Acre of Massacre - 24 Jan 1900) +/- 20km.Total(There and back). |
|---|---|
| 1.1 | Guided tour from Easby house. |
| 1.2 | Light lunch at Easby Historic House (Price R35.00 p p). |
| 1.3 | Preliminary talk. |
| 1.4 | Guided walk on Spion Kop +/- 500m. (entrance fee R15.00 p p) |
| 2. | Actions against ThabaNyama. |
|---|---|
| This facility is offered on a daily bases to Easby guests, as well as other visitors to the Drakensberg area. Booking is essential. The tour takes you to the top of ThabaNyama, on the North - Western side. Although the slope is quite steep, the difficulty rate is low, because there is steps all the way to the top. It is a winding route, with frequent stops where the different historical points/areas/places/buildings, is viewed with running commentary on their connection with historical events | |
| 2.1 | Guided tour from Easby house. |
| 2.2 | Guided walk on ThabaNyama+/- 3km. (Beautiful views & scenery) |
| 2.3 | Light lunch at Easby Historic House (Price R35-00 pp) |
| 2.4 | Drive to where the Boer positions are next to Green Hill; Take map (permission from Allen Green necessary) |
| 3. | Battle of Colenco (15 Dec. 1899) +/ 160km.Total. |
|---|---|
| 3.1 | Guided Tour from Easby house. |
| 3.2 | Stops at: |
| 3.2.1 | Colenso heights. |
| 3.2.2 | Gun emplacement, (bottom of pass.) |
| 3.2.3 | Colenso Battle fields Hotel for tea. (+/- R10.00 p p). |
| 3.2.4 | Place of the guns at Colenso. |
| 3.2.5 | Clouston (Garden of Remembrance). |
| 3.2.6 | Capture of Churchill, 15 Nov. 1899. |
| 3.2.7 | Light lunch at Champagne, Sports Resort. +/- R45.00 p p. |
| This tour includes a scenic route through R103 and R74,Central Drakensberg tour. Optional extension of this tour to a full day tour. | |
| 4. | 118 Day Seige of Ladysmith.(2 Nov. 1899) +/- 110km.Total. |
|---|---|
| 4.1 | Guided tour from Easby house. |
| 4.2 | Historic tour through Ladysmith. |
| 4.3 | Ladysmith Siege Museum (entrance R15.00 p p) |
| 4.4 | Lunch at Royal Hotel (R45.00 p p) |
| 5. | Battle at Wagonhill & Caesars point. +/- 110km. |
|---|---|
| 5.1 | Guided tour from Easby House |
| 5.2 | Ladysmith Siege Museum (entrance R15.00 up) |
| 5.3 | Wagon Hill & Burger Monument. |
| 5.4 | Lunch at Royal Hotel in Ladysmith. (optional) |
Other full day tours on request.
| 1. | Tours to the Lost Valley,Retief Rock, Kerkenberg, Monument of the Bare foot Woman etc etc |
| 2. | Tours to Skuins hoogte, Ingogo, Majuba, O’Neil’s Cottage |
| 3. | Tours to places in the Northern- and Sentral Drakensberg |
| 4. | Tours through The Midlands Meander to Howick |
| 5. | Tours through the Multi-cultural city of Piertermaritzburg (280 historical buildings) |
| 6. | Tours to Blood River |
Kind Regards
Chris.van Schalkwyk
THETA & KZN Reg Nr 0404
