Durban - Despite its many environmental challenges, Durban still has many beautiful green spaces, avenues of large trees, parks and areas of natural vegetation to enjoy.
There are places where you can see animals, birds, reptiles and insects. There are beaches, there are places to walk, hike and cycle and there are gardens where you can go with family and friends to picnic, listen to music, or watch a show on a sunny weekend.
Here are a few old favourites:
Botanical Gardens
(affectionately known AS the Bot Gardens)
From 1849 the first curator of the gardens, a Mark Johnson McKen, painstakingly collected and introduced vast numbers of plant species from all over the world into the Botanical Gardens and in many ways, the 15 hectares of garden still retain a feeling of “old” Durban. This cool, green oasis in the middle of the city has some fascinating trees and plants and provides a gentle change of pace from the surrounding bustle.
Enormous leafy figs, kigelia and other massive trees shade paths winding through the foliage. Giant and rare cycads cover the sloping lawns and the lily ponds are home to a variety of water birds that have given enormous pleasure to generations of kids, mums and old people who come to feed the indigenous ducks and geese.
The gardens host music concerts at the lake and Durbanites love packing a picnic and taking their families to enjoy an afternoon of parking off.
Bot Gardens Tea Garden under the shady trees and “brollies”, is a real Durban institution, popular with locals and foreigners. Run by volunteers, proceeds go to a variety of charitable organisations on a rotational basis.
Don’t miss: Crumpets with the works.
Beware: Birds eating off your plate.
Facilities: Curio shop, picnic areas, visitors centre, toilets, guided and self-guided walks, disabled trails, birding, annual indigenous plant sales and night walks. Entrance is free, except to events. The reception kiosk provides information regarding the gardens and facilities.
Open: 7.30am to 5.30pm (winter), 5.15pm (summer)
Tel: 031 322 4021
Makaranga Garden Lodge
Taking its name from an indigenous clan in Zimbabwe – and also from the magnificent stand of stately Macaranga trees, rejuvenation and enjoyment are keywords at this 31ha private garden in Kloof.
An extensive network of wheelchair-friendly pathways wind in and out the vegetation, over and around the string of 18 ponds and waterways, up to the waterfall, through the Japanese garden with its mossy stonework, little bridges, enormous Koi fish and September-blossoming cherry trees.
You can stroll across the beautiful lawns and enjoy the outstanding collection of Shona and Italian sculpture and wander next to vast beds of colourful flowers.
There are about 1 500 plants of various genera, including a stunning array of orchids. An abundant variety of indigenous and exotic plants, such as the multitude of azaleas, are in flower at various times of the year.
Music festivals and other events are staged throughout the year. A small fee is charged for a golf cart for those who have difficulty walking.
Don’t miss:
l Breakfast or tea on the deck.
l A tour of the private art collection and the many garden sculptures.
l The camellias flowering from late May on to September; the magnolias in July and August; the rhododendrons from July onwards; the summer hydrangeas; and the hundreds of clivias that begin flowering in September.
The indigenous sections of the garden are worth a visit in winter.
Tel: 031 764 6616
Burman Bush
This patch of remnant coastal forest with its magnificent, massive trees and interesting shrubs has remained virtually unchanged since 1850.
A curious feature is the shell fragments which can often be found in this protected area indicating an ancient beach and the possibility of a historical sea level.
Facilities: Interpretive centre, self-guided trails, toilets, view sites, excellent birding, picnic sites and braai facilities.
Pigeon Valley
This pretty reserve on the edge of the “ridge” near the University of KwaZulu-Natal’s Durban campus is a natural heritage site and has the largest known population of Natal white stinkwood in South Africa.
There are also many other wonderful old trees such as the rare Natal loquat. Birding is also good.
Tel: 031 205 1919
Hawaan Forest
This beautiful 110ha indigenous forest reserve in uMhlanga can be visited by appointment only. The trails wander through the remnant coastal lowland forest with many rare trees, bushbuck, duiker, mongoose and resident bird species such as crowned eagle and crested guinea fowl.
Tel: 031 572 4116
Giba Gorge
Giba Gorge is a deeply incised gorge near Hillcrest; part of the catchment of the Giba River, flanked by sandstone cliffs and steep hilly land supporting forests and grasslands.
The Giba Gorge MTB Park is located at the foot of this beautiful nature reserve, which is thick with indigenous KwaZulu-Natal bush.
This is a good place to go with a family as there are tented forest camps and camp sites, an outdoor bar and restaurant and 35km single track mountain bike trails.
Tel: 031 309 1170
Stainbank Nature Reserve
A mountain bike trail, picnic and braai areas, birding and game viewing at close quarters make this 237ha of coastal grasslands and forest a favourite with Durban families. It is especially pleasant for small children to see zebra and antelope grazing in their natural habitat. It’s an idea to spray insect repellent on your legs and take precautions against ticks if planning to sit in the long grass.
Tel: 031 469 2807
Krantzkloof Nature Reserve in the Kloof Gorge
The Molweni and Nqutu Rivers cut deep and spectacular gorges through the Natal sandstone near Kloof.
This “untouched” hiking spot is popular with organised groups as it has great game viewing and birding, waterfalls, pretty picnic spots and beautiful outlooks. Rare plants such as the Natal quince can be found as well as crowned and Wahlberg’s eagles, lanner and peregrine falcons.
Open: 365 days a year from 6am to 6pm daily
Shongweni Resource Reserve
A half-hour drive from central Durban and you could be viewing Africa’s big game species such as buffalo and rhino in the wilderness area of this small game reserve set on the edge of a dam. There are plenty other species such as zebra, giraffe and antelope.
The dam wall is a heritage site and is surrounded by spectacular cliffs, waterfalls, open grasslands and bushveld.
The fishing is great and many of the fresh water fishing clubs spend weekends here catching bass and other fresh-water species.
There is also a canoe club, trails, 4x4 drives, horse rides and overnight cabins. It is also possible to camp or take a day trip and braai or picnic.
Tel: 031 769 1283
Happy Valley Nature Reserve and bird hides
Pack a flask, rusks, binoculars and bird book and head off early in the morning to the Bluff to sit in one of the great bird hides on the large, natural body of water give you an opportunity for some great birdwatching.
Lesser jacanas, swamp hens, kingfishers and plenty of other water birds congregate among the diverse plant life.
Tel: 031 304 4934
For info on other parks:
Environmental Management Department: 031 311 7875 or www.durban.gov.za
One of the world’s great birding experiences
The Barn Swallow Roosts of Mount Moreland
Every year, in a natural cycle as old as the hills, approximately three million barn swallows start arriving at Mount Moreland from their European and west Asian homes, and for about six months of the year, between mid-October and the end of April, you can witness this wonderful event.
As the sun begins to set, millions of the birds fill the sky, swirling and darting about overhead before almost as one, they drop down into the reed bed to rest for the night.
Mount Moreland is about 34km from Durban city centre, out on the Emdloti/Verulam road and the border of the new King Shaka International Airport.
Take your deck chairs, binoculars, rugs and picnic baskets – and definitely your children, and head to the “Lake Victoria” viewing site. Get there about 45 minutes before sunset.
Barn swallows, previously known as European swallows, undertake an 11 000km journey, in flocks of several thousand at a time, with arrivals at the two Mt Moreland roosts towards the end of October.
While these swallows do not nest in Africa, it is thought that they use this roost as an important “stopping off” point on their journeys to and from their more southerly destinations.
Apart from the swallows and a variety of other bird species, the wetland also supports a number of other species, such as the rare and endangered Pickersgill’s reed frog and a wealth of snake and amphibian species.
Sunday Tribune