KZN’s Top 10 Trail and Hiking Destinations for 2017
APRIL 28, 2017
At number one is the uMhlanga Lagoon Nature Reserve, popular for families who picnic and walk the wooden boardwalks. It is situated at the mouth of the Ohlange River.
It is home to a variety of small wildlife and a number of wetland and coastal forest species.
Hiking trails are stunning and lead through 26 hectares of dune forest, spanning the lagoon and on to the beach.
Just north of Addington Beach and Durban harbour, this passes a laid-back African-style restaurant overlooking the beach where patrons get a bird’s eye view of surfers and bathers.
It is well patronised by early morning surfers, joggers, cyclists, pram-pushing mothers, dogwalking seniors and a host of pedestrians who love taking in the fresh, salt-laden breeze.
Sundowners or a meal can also be enjoyed in any one of the many restaurants dotted along the route.
uShaka Marine World is a shipwreck-themed aquarium incorporating a wet ‘n wild water park and is home to a diversity of Indian Ocean marine species. This 253ha reserve in Yellowwood Park, Durban,was proclaimed in 1963. Established as a result of a bequest of land from Kenneth Stainbank, the area offers fine examples of coastal forest and grassland habitats for many species of plants and animals.
Notable species are zebra, bush and reed buck, impala, blue, red and grey duiker, vervet monkey, rock hyrax, slender mongoose, bush baby, Egyptian mongoose, banded mongoose, water monitor and genet.
The reserve has an interesting diversity of indigenous flora and more than 200 bird species. There are 13km of nature walks and a pleasant picnic site. A walk for the physically disabled has been specially designed.
There is also a 10km fairly challenging mountain-bike trail. An entrance fee is charged at the gate, where visitors can obtain maps, plant and animal lists from the field ranger. The small town north of Ballito and Shaka’s Rock is a very popular seaside holiday destination. Salt Rock shares a rich Zulu cultural history with Shaka’s Rock.
Salt Rock’s name dates back to the days of King Shaka when his servants would collect dried salt at low tide for trade with settlers.
It is about a 40-minute drive north from Durban, 15 minutes from Sibaya Casino and up the road from bustling Ballito.
There are plenty of fishing spots along the coast through to Salmon Bay. Salt Rock gains much of its history from the Hulett family – Basil and Gwen – who established the Salt Rock Hotel and later went on to develop the town.
Salt Rock nightlife provides locals and out-of-towners with a variety of bars, pubs and restaurants offering tantalising cocktails and delicious seafood.
The nearby casino provides enjoyable entertainment with its restaurants and casino experiences. Although everything around it has altered as forest has been replaced by suburbs and industry, visitors can get a good idea of how things must have looked when settlers arrived in Durban.
Burman Bush Nature Reserve forms part of Durban’s Open Space System, also known as D’Moss – a collection of spaces that amount to around 74 000ha of land and water, linked to form a network.
Other areas in the network include Paradise Valley and Kenneth Stainbank Reserve, as well as upper catchments and riverine and coastal corridors.
Within it are three trails through the indigenous forest that lines the final stretch of the uMgeni River, and you can easily wander through here for two hours at a time, exploring the flora and searching for fauna.
Fifteen observation points are marked by a wooden bench, but watch out for the vervet monkeys, which won’t hesitate to steal any snack you might bring along. However, there is a strict no feeding policy.
Burman Bush lies on a slope that rises from 19m above sea level to around 133m in places. This in 1km’s worth of climbing along a path that twists and turns and is often inundated withroots and rocks. As a result, the trail is often used by runners and walkers.
Trails through the reserve are well marked with coloured concrete blocks, and there are picnic areas and braai facilities. The reserve is 72ha in extent and comprises predominantly scarp forest and grasslands.
Built at the foot of a beautiful, nature reserve and gorge, thick with KZN bush, Giba Gorge boasts an international standard BMX track, more than 35km of single track mountain-bike trails.
There are many other facilities – licensed bar, restaurant, art gallery, fully equipped conference centre, large entertainment area for private parties and functions, camp sites, bike shop, and ablution and shower blocks.
Giba Gorge Horse Trails is a riding and trail centre in the valley. It has been running horse trails for the past 10 years and all the horses have been specially chosen for character and temperament. Good horses make for good rides.
The trails are exquisite and include river crossings, views of waterfalls and an abundance of plants and wildlife.
Boasting an excellent restaurant, it is situated at Swallow Farm, next door to Boot Camp SA and close to Giba Gorge Mountain Bike Park, another highly recommended venue for fun activities for adults and children.
Horse trails are all guided and cater for experienced and beginner riders alike. A great experience for families, couples, schools and corporate groups, full moon rides and team-building programmes. Swallow Farm is on a river, providing a great venue for picnics and parties. This is 100ha of coastal and remnant grassland, and boasts one of the two national monuments to be found in Pinetown – The Umbilo Waterworks, which were built in 1887, although the dam was washed away in May, 1905.
All four of the trails in the reserve start at the Interpretive Centre and head down through the picnic area.
It takes about 20 minutes to reach the waterfall and another half an hour for the return.
Cross the wonderful old wooden bridge at the bottom of the picnic area and follow the blue trail markers. On the other side of the river, where the trail splits, keep left on the Waterfall Trail – the one to the right is the Duiker Trail.
The trail goes through some large strelitzias, better known as the crane flower or the bird of paradise plant.
Walking downstream on the right bank of the uMbilo River, you soon pass a bridge, where the Bushbuck Trail feeds in from the left.
A little further on, you come upon the remnants of the historic old dam wall, beyond which there is a beautiful flat rock, which makes a perfect picnic spot.
Further down, you pass some historical filter tanks before walking under the N3 freeway.
The Duiker Trail joins from the right; ignore this for now but make a mental note that you need to return to this point after seeing the falls. This 38ha reserve consists of coastal bush; unfortunately, a large portion of the vegetation is alien. This was once natural grassland, but only a few small patches remain.
Virginia Bush is a birder’s paradise and they are easily spotted. Some are the green-backed twinspot, grey (black-tailed) waxbill, Natal robin, white-browed robin, boubou shrike, bushshrike, flycatcher and blue-billed fire finch.
Blue duiker, the spotted genet and mongoose can also be seen. Escape into the bush within 30 minutes, leaving the waves of the Indian Ocean and the vibrant heart of one of the world’s fastestgrowing cities behind you.
The Shongweni Dam and Game Reserve is a slice of Africa on Durban’s doorstep, its lofty sandstone cliffs shutting out the hustle and bustle of the metropolis.
One of Msinsi’s most varied game reserves, Shongweni occupies 1 700ha in a valley where the uMlazi, uGede and Sterkspruit rivers meet.
You’ll soon relax here with game viewing and birding along the river banks, especially if you meet the legendary white rhino in the grasslands or when you marvel at the stately giraffe.
Fishing enthusiasts find special inspiration in seeking out a favourite spot with a view of Shongweni Hill, while canoeing fans have up to 51ha of water to explore in the dam. The Natal Midlands also has a few locations for day hiking trails.
The Kamberg Resort offers something special for visitors, with a sense of peace and quiet, and the feeling of really being away from it all. Mooi River also flows through the reserve, adding greatly to the Midlands experience.
Wildlife species in the reserve include, eland, oribi, reed buck, mountain reed buck, blesbok, black wildebeest, grey rhebok and duiker.
Small mammals such as the Cape clawless otter, genet, dassie and several others may be spotted.
Kamberg Reserve also has access to several scenic and interesting self-guided trails.