Cottonwood Tours is a close corporation formed by the owner, Marion Moir, when she realised the need to consolidate her 'tourism' activities. The main focus for her tours is on the Mpumalanga Highlands Meander (old north-eastern Transvaal) battlefield route, concentrating on the 2nd Anglo Boer War 1899-1902, but recently also including the battles against the Bapedi or Sekhukhune wars.

Marion, is a de-tribalised 'Kiwi' who stopped over in South Africa while on her way to the UK in 1972. Learning the true meaning of 'meander' she is still here and Lydenburg, 50kms North of Dullstroom, has been her home since 1973. By chance, she became an amateur historian and her research has resulted in a fascinating and absorbing tale of times past in the Highlands Meander region.

Lydenburg was a well established town by the 1870's and the townspeople lived in relative peace with Sekwati, chief of the Bapedi, but with his demise and Sekhukhune's subsequent rise to power, the Boers and then the British found themselves under fire between 1876 - 1879 when Sekhukhune was finally captured. The British were again in trouble during the 1st Anglo Boer War 1880-1881 but were able to withstand the siege of Lydenburg - a tale Marion delights in telling from the female point of view!

The 2nd Anglo Boer War 1899-1902 or South African War, as it is now known, should have reached a conclusion once Lord Roberts had reached Pretoria and raised the Union Jack, but our hardy Boers had other plans and the sweep east to 'mop up' the stragglers saw the end of set-piece battles and the beginning of guerrilla warfare in the Highlands Meander region. Tales of pain, compassion, intrigue, cover-ups, humour, sadness and horror are related as one travels the route taken by the Boers and Brits all those years ago.

The Full day tour starts in Lydenburg and moves through Bergendal, then to the old cemetery in Belfast. From there  to Dullstroom and Grootsuikerboschkop ending in at Elandspruit.

For more information or to book a tour go to www.cottonwood.co.za