The Battlefields - Legends of the Zulu Kingdom

The Swartkop Challenge
7th - 9th February 2003

Field gun competition: "In preparation for the battle of Vaalkranz in 1900 the Artillery were to position their guns on the Swartkop feature, which they said was impossible without the Royal Engineers building a road first. When the Engineers arrived, they found the Navy guns already on the hill."

This inter-service rivalry probably seeded the Field Gun Competition which was seen by people from all over the world at the Royal Tournament in Britain.

Teams will attempt the feat of 103 years ago of drawing 12- pounder guns, weighing 1000 KG, with their limbers to the top of Swartkop and then firing the weapons. The slope is nearly 1:1 and the distance some 150 meters.

ONLY HUMAN MUSCLE POWER MAY BE USED.

Endurance sporting events Join world class athletes in an 80 Km endurance speed walk, canoeists taking a 36 Km stretch of the unforgiving Tugela River, the high tech Mountain bikes competitors fighting their way through 50 KM of African Bush, or watch the daring downhill bike race not for the faint hearted.

Supporting Events & Country Fair Show your fishing skills in a highly priced "Tagged Bass" fishing competition or go to war on a masterfully designed Paint Ball course or show your shooting skills with historical weapons in our Skirmish event.

Fun & entertainment for the whole family is guaranteed with hot air balloon viewing flights and white river rafting, or overcome your fear factor on the death slide. Historical or pleasure horseback rides, live entertainment, arts & crafts and more...

For more information please visit the Swartkop Challenge Website

-Index-

Copyright © Tourism KwaZulu-Natal