65 U S A ( To l l - f r e e ) 1- 877- 381- 2 9 14 E m a i l inf o@the culturalexperience.com The Victorian Era a commanding position atop Spioen Kop under the cover of darkness, the British were horrified to find that their position on the summit did not command the approaches. This left them completely exposed to Boer artillery fire and to an assault at close-range, and nothing short of a massacre ensued. The British force eventually left the hill beaten and bloodied after what was an all-round military disaster – although, ironically, the Boers also withdrew, believing that the British had managed to hold on. This afternoon enjoy a relaxing and scenic drive through the foothills of the Drakensburg to our accommodation in Golden Gate National Park for one night. Day 6 – Bloemfontein. Our first visit today is the battlefield of Sannah's Post which was one of the first actions of the guerrilla war. In a perfectly executed ambush, the Boers inflicted heavy losses and secured access to Bloemfontein’s water works, aggravating an epidemic of enteric fever dysentery and cholera among the occupying British army. We head into the Free State capital of Bloemfontein and visit The Emily Hobhouse Museum. Emily Hobhouse was a remarkable woman who performed crucial relief work at the concentration camps despite fierce opposition from her own countrymen. We head to our accommodation in Langberg and experience Karoo hospitality at its best. Day 7 - K imberley relief column. Today is spent following these actions including the battle of Modder River, where the Boers managed to delay the strong British force on their way to Kimberley, but were ultimately unsuccessful and retreated to Magersfontein, where they dug in and successfully repulsed a frontal attack two weeks later. At the Magersfontein Museum, we can see some preserved Boer trenches and explore the recently renovated exhibition. We end the day with the battle of Paardeberg, which actually took place after the relief of Kimberley. Blocking the Boers’ route to the Modder River, Kitchener led a poorly executed assault and was repulsed. A siege followed and the Boers, under Cronjé, were starved into surrender. Day 8 - T he relief of Kimberley. The siege of the diamond mining town of Kimberley lasted for 124 days and, although ill prepared, the inhabitants’ and garrison’s improvised defence held out. We hear of the trials and tribulations of living under siege and visit the Kimberley Museum. We then head to the ‘Big Hole’, the remnant of an open Diamond Mine that claims to be the largest ever excavated by hand - an incredibly impressive site! This afternoon is free for you to relax and explore at your leisure. Day9 – KarooandDeparture.We check out of our hotel for the last time and drive north through the vast and impressive semi-desert terrain of the Karoo and into the Transvaal. Evening return flight from Johannesburg to London. Day 10 - Home. Arrival in London Crossing the Modder River The Mass Grave, Spion Kop