THE KZN SOUTH COAST’S TOP HIKING SPOTS
IT’S THE START OF A NEW YEAR AND WHAT BETTER WAY TO START IT OFF RIGHT, THAN WITH SOME WELLDESERVED FAMILY TIME OUT IN NATURE? THE KZN SOUTH COAST, WITH ITS PLETHORA OF OUTDOOR OFFERINGS, IS PROVING TO BE A LEADING ECO-TOURISM DESTINATION, AND FOR THOSE LOOKING FOR UNIQUE, NATURE-BASED EXCURSIONS, THE PARADISE OF THE ZULU KINGDOM HAS MANY HIKING TRAILS THAT TRAVERSE STUNNING LANDSCAPES AND OFFER BREATHTAKING VIEWS. HERE ARE JUST A FEW OF OUR FAVOURITE SOUTH COAST HIKING SPOTS.
ANEW RESORT INGELI FOREST IN HARDING
Website: www.anewhotels.com
Contact: ingelires@anewhotels.co.za
Ingeli Forest – the second-largest indigenous forest in KZN – has a wide variety of walking and running trails suited to all ages and abilities. Found just 22 km from Harding, there are several trails – ranging from 3 km to 15 km and even loop-out routes – crossing through forest streams and past waterfalls. The ANEW Resort is based just below the Ingeli mountain range and is a great setting off point.
UMDONI PARK NATURE RESERVE NEAR PENNINGTON
Website: www.umdonipark.com
Contact: +27 39 975 1615 or rynardt@umdonipark.com This 210-hectare park invites hikers to stop in at the Environmental Centre or Pro Shop for maps and information before embarking on one of the many trails, ranging from 15 minutes through to two hours. The reserve has excellent birdwatching and, along the trails, hikers can visit Umdoni Park Golf Course and the on-site restaurant with ocean views.
SKYLINE NATURE RESERVE IN UVONGO
Website: www.kznwildlife.com
Contact: +27 62 002 5190 or info@kznwildlife.com Between Uvongo and Margate is this stunning nature reserve that consists of some 380 indigenous and 400 exotic tree species. Hikers are able to view a variety of resident wildlife in this 40-year-old arboretum, including blue duiker, grey duiker and bushbuck, and there are numerous indigenous bird species to look out for. Many hiking trails can be found here, each about an hour in length.
BEAVER CREEK COFFEE ESTATE NEAR PORT EDWARD
Website: www.beavercreek.co.za
Contact: +27 39 311 2315/47 or info@beavercreek.co.za This key tourism destination has a wealth of outdoor activities on offer, including a number of hiking trails across both farmland and indigenous terrain. Hikes from the coffee estate range from around 45 minutes through to two hours, with stunning views of the Mtamvuna River.
KWAXOLO CAVES ADVENTURES NEAR MARGATE
Facebook: KwaXolo Caves Adventures
Contact: Bookings must be made by calling Makhosazane on +27 76 185 3447, or Shaun on +27 74 8873 742.
For something really different, the ancient heritage site – the KwaXolo Caves – is home to centuries-old San rock art and some of the most incredible views. In 2020, KwaXolo Caves Adventures was established, giving visitors a harnessed, secure, guided hiking route directly to the caves. Hikers enjoy views of the waterfall and gorge, with a picnic spot available. The oneand-a-half-hour hike is open to anyone aged eight and over.
MPENJATI NATURE RESERVE IN TRAFALGAR
Website: www.kznwildlife.com
Contact: +27 39 313 0531 or ChristianNjabulo.Mavundla@kznwildlife.com
This beautiful coastal reserve has trails varying in length, from a quick hike through to a four-hour walk all the way to Mbizana River at Southbroom. Hikers will walk along beaches, alongside rivers and witness a range of wildlife endemic to these varying landscapes.The gates open from 06h00 to 18h00 in summer.
KWANZIMAKWE MULTI-TRAILS INLAND FROM PALM BEACH
Contact: victor.jacas@yahoo.com
Situated between Mpenjati Nature Reserve and Ezinqoleni is KwaNzimakwe Multi-Trails that fuses natural beauty with local cultural heritage. The KwaNzimakwe Multi-Trail
Park, launched in 2019, gives hikers and birdwatchers the opportunity to immerse themselves in this stunning region along a 4 km trail.
UMTAMVUNA NATURE RESERVE NEAR PORT EDWARD
Website: www.kznwildlife.com
Contact: +27 39 311 2383 or Enock.Mahlangu@kznwildlife.com Just 8 km from Port Edward is this stunning nature reserve, home to the Red Desert, which happens to be the world’s smallest desert.The three trails found in this reserve include the Kingfisher Trail (30 minutes), the Loerie Trail (two hours) and the Fish Eagle Trail (four hour circular route) which give hikers the chance to view an array of birdlife and resident wildlife.
TC ROBERTSON NATURE RESERVE IN SCOTTBURGH
Contact: +27 62 002 5190 or tcrobertsonnaturereserve2015@gmail.com
This is a stunning 60-hectare nature reserve, home to some 200 bird species including the African fish eagle, Rush warbler and African goshawk. An array of indigenous wildlife can also be spotted along the 12 km of self-guided nature trails that cross forests, grasslands, veld, wetlands and estuaries.
ROCKY BAY RESORTS IN PARK RYNIE
Website: www.rockybay.co.za
Contact: +27 39 976 0336 or lodge@rockybay.co.za In 2014, the Rocky Bay Resorts RunningTrails were established, all of which are clearly marked – orange for cyclists and green
for hikers or runners – suited to everyone from novice to experienced.The trails cross through this beautiful resort which forms part of the annual Sani2C and joberg2C competitions.
LAKE ELAND GAME RESERVE NEAR ORIBI GORGE
Website: www.lakeeland.co.za
Contact: +27 39 687 0395 or reservations@lakeeland.co.za This is a beautiful 2,500-ha game reserve which gives visitors the chance to get close to some of Africa’s wildlife. There are several hiking trails within the reserve, as well as the fantastic Wild 5 Adventures which offers ziplining, a gorge swing, suspension bridge, paintball and scooter tours.
ORIBI GORGE NATURE RESERVE INLAND FROM PORT SHEPSTONE
Website: www.kznwildlife.com
Contact: +27 39 845 1000 or Mthokozisi.Ndlovu@kznwildlife.com Within this 1,917-hectare reserve is the iconic gorge where the Umzimkulwana River has carved through sandstone over millions of years. There are some great trails in the reserve, including the Hoopoe Falls Trail (7 km), the Nkonka Trail (5 km), Baboob View Trail (1 km), Samango River Trail (1.5 km),View Trail (9 km), and Horseman’s Point (4.5 km).
RAMSGATE MARINE RAMBLE IN RAMSGATE
Contact: +27 71 351 9958
This is a scenic, organised 6 km walk along Ramsgate Beach where walkers can enjoy sightings of local birdlife and marine life, including dolphins and migrating whales.
WILD COAST TRAILS / VOLI TRAVELS
Mzolisi Madikizela on +27 78 182 0483 or
mzolisi.madikizela@gmail.com
For those looking to experience the incredible Wild Coast on the KZN South Coast border,Voli Travels offers package hiking trails and beach walks which include exploring caves and waterfalls, and canoeing.
To find out more about the KZN South Coast, simply download the free ‘Explore KZN South Coast’ app or visit www.visitkznsouthcoast.co.za. You can also follow the KZN South Coast on social media: ‘South Coast Tourism’ on Facebook and YouTube, or @infosouthcoast on Twitter and Instagram.
Contact: