Location

KwaZulu-Natal Midlands; on the N3 national highway

A largish and most pleasant industrial town set on the Bushmans River, founded in the 1830s as a staging post for traders and other men of the road on the route from infant Durban to the hinterland. It was close to Escourt that a number of Voortrekkers were killed by a Zulu impi in 1838 (the incident is commemorated by the Bloukrans memorial). Near here, too, the young Winston Churchill, in the field as correspondent for the London Morning Post, was captured in 1899 following the Boer ambush of an armoured train.

In fact the wider area is steeped in military history. On the banks of the Tugela River, just to the north, is Colenso, site of one of the more significant of several Anglo-Boer war battles fought in the vicinity. (There are superb views of river and battlefields from the Tugela Drift Nature Reserve).

Highlights

Nature Reserves: The Moor Park Reserve offers wildebeest and a number of antelope species, a nature trail and picnic spot; the next-door Wagendrift Resort functions as an environmental education centre. Escourt's municipal reserve contains introduced animals (zebra, antelope) and a 'vulture restaurant'. The Weenen Nature Reserve, to the east, is home to four of the 'big five' game animals. The Thukela Biosphere offers day and night game drives and guided trails.

Factory shops: Tours take, among others, in a toy factory (the teddy bears are notable), a glass-making enterprise and a textile plant.

Churches: St Matthew's (Anglican) and the Augustinian chapel merit exploration.

Nearest towns

Mooirivier, Howick and Pietermaritzburg along the N3 to the south; Ladysmith to the north.

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