Durban - Instead of heading for the beach, head for Inanda. And today is as good a time as any. Fifteen minutes out of Durban towards Inanda, an entire green valley opens up, offering everything from canoeing, historic trips, hiking trails and mountain biking.
It sounds like something out of a travel brochure – but if only people would come. Several tourism organisations are offering a chance to try out activities in the area for free from May 1-10.
“Many people still think that coming to Inanda and passing through KwaMashu is dangerous, and that there is nothing to do this side. However, we are asking people to give this a try, come and see what is happening here and you will have your perceptions changed,” said Duncan Pritchard, a business development consultant with the Durban Green Corridor (DGC).
The DGC, together with several other community and tourism development organisations, have been working over the past few years to build Durban’s ecotourism industry, especially in the Inanda Valley area.
The Green Hub building at Blue Lagoon is the one-stop point for accessing information and booking for all the activities along the Inanda route, and for information on other tourism products.
The team has developed, among other things, a birding route which gives birders a chance to spot the rare African finfoot; hiking trails; cultural and lifestyle experiences; adventure activities such as canoeing and mountain biking.
However, while it has taken time to develop the ecotourism industry in the Inanda Valley, Pritchard said people still hold the view that it’s dangerous to come to the area.
Now, the FREEinINANDA campaign, which has been organised by Africa!Ignite, a rural development agency, the Durban Green Corridor, Durban Tourism, Woza eNanda and the local Community Tourism Organisation, has been launched to urge people to venture into the valley.
“People can get active on the water or the trails around the Inanda Dam and surrounding mountains, and feel the local pulse by meeting friendly people, listening to jazz or eating and drinking locally. Or they can rediscover Inanda’s heritage sites to remind themselves why Nelson Mandela chose to vote here, in the true cradle of South Africa’s freedom,” said Joslyn Walker, senior manager for tourism programmes at Africa!Ignite.
She has been working with the communities to develop their tourism products for the benefit of locals.
Africa!Ignite, one of KZN’s leading rural development agencies, recently opened a WOWZULU tourist marketplace at the Ohlange Institute, where tourists can drink great coffee, hear stories, buy local crafts and gifts, find out where to go and what to do, and meet a guide who can take them to explore further.
“Tourists can go to the home of a master beader, and learn how to bead a Zulu bangle, and also buy a kit, which they can take home and bead themselves. It’s about giving tourists an experience, not just visiting places,” said Walker.
Tourists can visit the Ohlange Institute, where Mandela cast his first vote, visit the Gandhi settlement to find out about Gandhi’s life in Durban, Sbu’s Tavern for a taste of township life, Mzinyathi Falls and the Rasta Caves, the Ebuhleni Shembe Village, the finfoot loop and Bridge City.
“The Inanda Valley has a wealth of culture, history and natural wonder to discover. Not only do you get to canoe and hike, but you learn about different cultures. We want people to visit and take pictures and post them online so people can see what is on offer here,” said Walker.
Visit Durban’s Green Hub at Blue Lagoon for more information on the free trips for FREEinINANDA or call 031 322 6026.
Independent on Saturday