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Ladysmith marks the starting point of the KwaZulu-Natal Battlefields Route, and has guided day trips to the famous battle sites of Rorke's Drift, Isandlwana, Blood River, Colenso, Vaalkrans, Tugela Heights, Spioenkop, and Elandslaagte.

Towering over the town of Ladysmith is the 'small mountain' - Umbulwane. The Boer forces used the top of this mountain for reconnaissance before the famous 118 day Siege of Ladysmith in 1899 that made world headlines. Visitors can hike up a trail that leads to the top of Wagon Hill to see Manchester Fort, Casear's Camp, and Maiden  The mountain is also of historical significance to the San people.

Ladysmith has many beautiful historical buildings and monuments, including a Statue of Mahatma Ghandi who was a stretcher bearer for the British wounded at the end of the siege. Ladysmith is also home of the All Saints Church, a beautiful Anglican church constructed of stone. The church features skillfully stained glass windows, and memorial tablets honouring some 1800 British soldiers who were killed in the defence of the town. A visit to this little church is said to be a deeply moving experience.

 Ladysmith is famous for the architecture of its electricity substations, designed in a wide variety of architectural types - so many in fact that there is a trail which takes visitors around to view them

Ladysmith is also the home town of the world famous Grammy award-winning singing group "Ladysmith Black-Mambazo".

The 6 000 ha Spioenkop Nature Reserve, situated only 25 km from Ladysmith, is home to various species of wildlife including rhino, giraffe, zebra, a variety of antelope and an abundance of bird life.

 Birdwatchers are well catered for, with the Malendeni Bird Sanctuary with 263 species of bird recorded at the maturation ponds and surrounding flooded areas.

Ladysmith is on 35 km from the Spioenkop Dam Nature Reserve, a popular venue for angling, yachting, water skiing, power boating.

Other activities in and around Ladysmith include:
* Sunset Boat Cruises on Spion Kop Dam
* Horseback Riding
* Hiking
* White Water Rafting
* Tours of Rock Paintings and Caves
* Parachuting