Family fun without breaking the budget
WHILE level 1 of the lockdown affords more movement, tighter household budgets and general Covid-19 anxieties may leave you feeling stuck for ideas on what to do with your family.
Here are some low-cost-to-no-cost ideas to consider
1. ONE WITH NATURE
● Pack a picnic basket and spend the day at the Umgeni River Bird Park or the Mitchell Park Zoo which are both now open, under stringent Covid-19 health protocols.
The bird park was opened in April 1984 to educate people about birds, their beauty and diversity.
The past few years have seen this educational focus shift towards a broader view of conservation and biodiversity awareness in general.
The Education Station is situated in the heart of the park, opposite the African Aviary and contains a variety of posters and information boards for easy reference.
Mitchell Park has a host of small animals and birds for you to visit including crocodiles, buck, raccoons, cranes, monkeys and tortoises.
There is a walk-through aviary that allows you to get close-up views of many beautiful bird varieties.
For more information call Umgeni River Bird Park at 031 322 5750; and Mitchell Park Zoo at 031 303 2275.
| www.umgeniriverbirdpark.co.za and www. durban.gov.za
● All parks and nature reserves are now open to the public, with gatherings at parks limited to a maximum of 50 people who must maintain social distancing.
The Kenneth Stainbank Nature Reserve in Yellowwood Park consists of coastal forests and is popular with bird watchers and animal lovers.
There are 10km of walking trails and the reserve is popular with mountain bikers. There is also a concrete trail built for the physically challenged. There are three picnic sites, and the original farm house that resembled a castle was built in 1885 is still there.
For other nature reserves, visit www.durban.gov.za (click on services, parks, recreation and culture, parks and nature reserves). | Facebook/ eThekwini Municipality and www.durban.gov.za
2. COOL OFF
● The beach – which was opened in phases for walking, jogging and surfing since lockdown level 3 – is now open for swimming.
Of the city’s 52 swimming pools, 19 are being reopened as they have met all the Covid-19 requirements. The remainder of the pools are going through repairs and maintenance.
3. FUN WITH HISTORY AND SCIENCE
● Cato Manor Heritage Centre: Cato Manor has a multicultural community, informal settlements and various religious sites. It is perhaps best known for its history of forced removals. Through large black-andwhite prints, the Cato Manor Heritage Centre exhibits the stark realities of evictions, rebellion, riots and suppression. For more information, call 031 261 3216.
● The Durban Maritime Museum: Located at the Durban Harbour, the museum offers insight into the influence of maritime culture on local life while also reflecting on the rigours and romance of lives lived at sea. Voyages and tales of old, yet inspiring, collections form the basis of this experience. The attractions include the steam tug JR More and other exhibits such as the Ulundi and NCS Challenger. For more information, call 031 311 2231. | durbanhistorymuseums. org.za
● The Durban Natural Science Museum:
Situated in the city centre, this is one of the oldest and most popular museums in South Africa with a particular emphasis on biodiversity conservation and ecology.
The City Hall galleries feature realistic dioramas which depict an unrivalled collection of small and large mammals and a diverse collection of African birds.
These include a fossilised egg of an elephant bird, the largest bird on the planet.
There is also the Kwanunu Insect Arcade where you can inspect some of the 750 000 identified species of insects on Earth today, and a variety of reptiles and amphibians in their natural habitats.
The museum is also renowned for the close-to-life-sized model of the Tyrannosaurus rex ( T rex) and the 100-year-old, almost-complete dodo skeleton.
The dodo skeleton on exhibt is the second-most complete specimen in the world apart from the exhibit in Port Louis, Mauritius. For more information, call 031 311 2256
Venues will be limited to 50 people and the wearing of masks and social distancing is required. At the time of going to print, some institutions were still finalising their Covid protocols, but most expected to be up and running from this week. It is advised to call ahead to check that venues are open on the day you plan to visit.